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Article
Courtesy of Channel 5 WPTV
By
Forrest Saunders
Published February 23, 2026
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WATCH VIDEO |
TALLAHASSEE — Members of the Florida House of Representatives on Thursday
approved perhaps the most aggressive property tax proposal in state history.
But with the Senate hesitant and time running short, the biggest fight over
the future of those taxes may still lie ahead.
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The House plan would
eliminate non-school property taxes on primary homes if
voters approve the change on the 2026 ballot. Supporters say
it would deliver historic tax relief, but the proposal faces
an uncertain future as Senate leaders and Gov. Ron DeSantis
pursue their own approaches.
In a speech before the vote, House Speaker Danny Perez,
R-Miami, acknowledged the timeline and uncertainty ahead.
"What happens in the days ahead will decide if we will be
here another three weeks or another three months," Perez
said.
State Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Stuart, helped guide the
resolution through the chamber this year. He said lawmakers
are running out of time to reach an agreement before they'll
need to go into extra legislative innings.
"So, we still have three weeks technically left in session,
and we'll see what happens with our partners across the
rotunda," Overdorf said. |
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House Speaker Daniel Perez, Gov. Ron DeSantis and
Senate President Ben Albritton.
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Senate signals different approach
Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Bartow, said the upper chamber is still
working with the governor to craft a plan that can win broad support,
suggesting the House proposal may not be the final product.
"I think that still has yet to be determined. Remember, at the end of the
day, what we're looking for, the Senate is looking for is something to build
consensus around," Albritton said, Thursday afternoon.
DeSantis has floated going even further than the House plan by eliminating
homestead property taxes entirely, though details remain unclear. He
remained committed to making cuts of some kind while speaking to CNBC on
Friday morning.
"It needs to go on the ballot. It needs to get 60% of the vote, and we'll be
working on that through the balance of the year," DeSantis said.
Democrats warn of local impact
Democratic lawmakers have sharply criticized the proposals, warning they
could devastate local government budgets and shift financial burdens to the
state.
"It would effectively turn them into welfare counties where they have to
come to the state government and try to get the resources that they need,
and where are they going to be getting those funds?" said House Minority
Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa.
Senate Minority Leader Lori Berman, D-Boynton Beach, said Senate Democrats
have yet to see a concrete alternative and have little idea of what to
expect next.
"Not really. I mean, I understand that there is, you know, some discussions
behind the scenes, but we haven't seen any products, any work products over
here. I'm very against the House proposal. I don't think it could work for
the state in the long run," Berman said.
Clock ticking as session winds down
Lawmakers are juggling the property tax debate alongside several other major
priorities, including artificial intelligence regulation, gun law changes,
rural infrastructure initiatives and the state budget. So far, only seven
bills have passed both chambers and reached the governor's desk,
underscoring how much work remains.
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