TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Ocala Rep. Ryan Chamberlin has announced plans to cut and ultimately eliminate property taxes called “freedom 1,2,3.”
The idea began after homeowners complained about property tax increases, and Gov. Ron DeSantis began urging lawmakers to provide relief.
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“In the last four to five years or so, property taxes across the state have increased by 45%, almost 50%, and in some counties it’s 87%,” Chamberlin said.
Chamberlin said the county is likely to have seen a dramatic increase from inflation.
“The county wasn’t expecting such an increase, but they were able to spend every dime coming in,” Chamberlin said.
The three-stage proposal begins with the county returning to the 2022-2023 property tax level if approved by lawmakers.
Other procedures require voter approval. Stage 2 includes a 5% transaction fee for real estate sales.
“With a $300,000 property, someone has to close for an extra $15,000,” Chamberlin said. “This is a one-off fee, instead of paying $3,000 to $5,000 a year.”
He also proposed 5% public safety fees for ride stocks, hotel rooms and theme parks that could generate around $4 billion.
The third step will generate $20 billion by replacing school property taxes with a new 3-cent statewide sales tax.
“I’d love to hear about other ideas too, but this is just the beginning,” Chamberlin said.
Tampa Rep. Fentris Driskel, who is also a minority leader, wants to focus on property insurance relief.
“I think this whole property tax debate is Republicans trying to distract them about the rising costs of property insurance and the fact that they are not legislating. [changes] “When it comes to reducing property insurance costs,” Driskell said.
Chamberlin sits on the Select Committee on Property Tax. However, he stated that after studying the topic over the past two years, this was his only proposal.
