Tampa, Fla. (WFLA) – The driving force to eliminate property taxes is taking steam all over the country.
Florida’s statewide budget comes primarily from sales tax. Local governments rely on property taxes to fund services such as police, fire and schools.
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Now, Gov. Ron DeSantis measures the movement and details how to get it done in Florida. In X, the governor answered the phone to remove property tax.
The governor announced his support for the idea, calling the act of taxing land or property “oppressive” and “ineffective.” The governor proposed amendments to votes that could exceed the 60% threshold required to pass.
Last year in Tallahassee, state GOP lawmakers proposed a bill to study the effects of eliminating property taxes and replacing them with sales taxes. The proposal died on the committee.
In November, North Dakota voters declined to bid to end property taxes.
Policy analyst Estavan Santis is at the Florida Institute of Policy Studies. He agrees that reform is necessary. However, he disagrees with removing property tax. Because that could mean cutting back on key sectors.
“We agree that we have to do something about tax law,” Santis said.
Santis and the HAE of the Florida Institute of Policy Research came up with a variety of options. He said current sales and property taxes mean that those families are losing more income than those who make more money. Santis has the option of changing tax laws.
“You pass corporate tax reforms that have closed loopholes to make money,” Santis said. “You can see highly valued properties and you may have different property tax rates for that. So if you’re buying a multi-million dollar mansion, it’s probably a fixed asset The tax rate may be high.”
Tampa City Councilman Alan Klendenin asks that the governor should cut down on key local services proposed. In X’s post, the governor did not list city, county or school district options.
“The city of Tampa already operates at the lowest millage rate in the Tampa Bay area. Discretionary expenditure is a very small percentage of the budget,” Klendenin said.
The session will begin in March. Lawmakers have proposed measures to make amendments to the vote, and it is unclear whether they will pass.
