Florida should accept important fixed asset tax cuts

The sun-kissed beaches of Pinellas, the vibrant Tampa skyline of Hillsboro, and the booming new community of Pasco tell the story of growth and resilience. But beneath the story is a difficult truth. Property taxes are crushing families and businesses.

Since 2010, tax collection has skyrocketed. Pinellas rose 127.4% a year to $839.3 million, Hillsboro rose 154.8% to $1.5 billion, and Pasco 244.9% to $549.4 million. Population growth (6.4% in Pinellas, 24.5% in Hillsboro, 41.1% in Pasco) cannot justify tax collections of this magnitude.

Driven by rising home prices and relentless new construction, these tax increases have hit people more violent than recent storms like Hurricane Helen. And for too long, homeowners are made to feel like tenants, paying the government every year for the privilege of living in a home they already own.

As representatives of these counties, we are ready to lead property tax reform. Florida must be the first state in the United States to cut or eliminate and exchange property taxes. Over the next few months, Congress will deliberate and pass a voter referendum in 2026 and make it happen.

You need to understand property tax funds before you can reach the ballot box. The county is drawing about 35% of its revenue from homeowners, paying for schools, roads and public safety. Homeowners get breaks, including a $50,000 exemption and a 3% cap on annual value increase, which doesn’t apply to school taxes, but the pain is still increasing as Florida has not made any meaningful changes to the Homestead exemption threshold. Meanwhile, when the tax collector knocks on the door, the storm tears the roof. Local governments can charge up to 10 cents per $1,000 of the home value. As prices rise, your bills will rise as the fees continue to charge.

Our state constitution wisely requires voter approval for any major property tax changes. It worked previously: 16 of 20 Homestead reforms since 1934, as Floridians demanded it. It’s time for the next bold chapter.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has drawn this long-term debate into the sun. Sending a check to some Floridians may provide temporary relief, but one-time checks do not solve long-term issues. We invite the governor to do better and take part in our efforts to develop a lasting, transformative plan for 2026.

Under the leadership of speaker Danny Perez, the House Selection Committee on Property Tax struggles with a job developing strict structural solutions, including a referendum to eliminate taxes for homeowners entirely, a referendum to eliminate seniors or $1 million exemptions, an extension of long-time residents’ exemptions, and an increase in housing value, such as a 3% increase. These reforms could ultimately give homeowners the security they deserve. Yes, overhauling how we fund important services is a heavy lift, but we live in the most tax-efficient state in the country. If anyone can understand this, it’s Florida.

Local governments must also play their part. Counties can adopt rollback rates. This allows the county to lower tax rates if the county’s value skyrockets, leaving existing homeowners revenue flat. Hillsboro, Pasco and Pinellas need to adopt rollback rates and save their families. County officials should also freeze or cut fees for stormwater, trash, utilities, and more, which hammer low-income residents, especially when tax restrictions become stricter. It’s time for local governments to open books, reduce waste, and align with the financial discipline they practiced in Tallahassee.

Imagine Florida where you really own your home, there is no annual tax bill hanging from your head. That’s the future we’re fighting for. Pinellas’ resilience shines, burns Hillsboro’s growth opportunities, and Pasco’s energy builds a powerful community.

But this future won’t happen without you. Floridians, that’s when they get into the battle. Call your councillors, county commissioners, city council members, and governor. It calls for a bold and practical 2026 referendum proposal, which will ultimately lift this tax burden while protecting schools, roads and public safety. Then, in 2026, vote to make Florida your first state, guaranteeing true homeownership, your home is your castle, and free yourself from the endless property tax bill.

From St. Petersburg to Tampa to Newport Richie, you can build a heritage of freedom that cannot be built.

Reps. Adam Anderson (R-Pinellas), Danny Alvarez (R-Hillsborough) and Brad Yeager (R-Pasco) are state legislators.