Less than four months before Floridians vote on a proposal to phase out property taxes for homeowners, there’s no organized campaign seeking to move the measure past the 60% vote required for passage.
The biggest advocate for property tax relief, Gov. Ron DeSantis, said two weeks ago that he won’t lead any organized effort because the property tax measure the Legislature approved in a special session in June “wasn’t my proposal.”
That’s in contrast to his robust efforts two years ago, when he formed a political committee to lead campaigns against legalizing recreational cannabis and abortion rights, neither of which were successful.
Meanwhile, three groups, most recently a political committee called Floridians for Shared Prosperity, have formed to oppose what will be listed as Amendment 3 on the November ballot. The groups contend passage of the measure would devastate local governments’ budgets. Cities and counties would lose $5 billion in tax revenue next year and $10.75 billion by 2031, according to state economists.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce has long opposed placing issues on Florida’s Constitution that could be solved through the legislative process. This time, the organization appears to be leaning toward seeing the state’s Taxation and Budget Reform Commission tackle the issue next year.
“I think it’s going to be pretty hard to get to 60% once all the voices come out on that, and I suspect the 2027 Tax and Budget Reform Commission will be looking closely at putting something else on the ballot in 2028 for voters to consider,” Florida Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Mark Wilson said Friday in an interview with a Phoenix reporter on WMNF radio in Tampa.
The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is a group of officials selected by the governor, House speaker, and Senate president to undertake comprehensive reviews every 20 years of the state’s budgetary process. Among its specific responsibilities are reviewing policy “as it relates to the state and local government to tax and adequately fund government operations and capital facilities to meet the state’s needs during the next twenty-year period.”
The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission also happens to be the legislative vehicle Florida TaxWatch considers the most appropriate agency to look at a major property tax proposal.
“This is by far the largest change to the fiscal structure of Florida government in our state’s history,” TaxWatch recently said in a written statement about Amendment 3.
“Anyone watching the legislative deliberation and debate could tell legislators were not really ready to vote on it. There had not even been an official state fiscal impact estimate done,” the organization said last month. “Rather than forcing this issue to be decided in a hastily called Special Session, it would have been far better to have this issue taken up by the constitutionally mandated group Florida TaxWatch helped to establish — the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which begins in 2027.”
Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds has also said recently that, although he supports Amendment 3, whether it passes or not “we are going to implement the will of the people of Florida.”
“If it doesn’t [pass], what we’re going to do next year is use the Tax and Budget Commission to bring this back, study it in far more detail, and try to find a way to give that real relief to seniors and to working families, with a goal of eliminating homestead property taxes in our state,” Donalds told CBS Miami host Jim DeFede in a recent interview.
The fact that DeSantis has emphasized the differences between the property tax reform proposal he offered the Legislature (less than a week before lawmakers were scheduled to vote on it) and what GOP lawmakers ultimately approved, has added confusion, says the Chamber’s Wilson.
“I think it’s pretty widely known what the governor came out with and wanted isn’t exactly what the Legislature’s final product was, so there’s a lot of confusion in the market about what everyone thought it was going to be versus what it is, so we’re doing a whole lot of education across the state right now on what it is compared to what people thought, and I think that there’s a lot of confusion brewing on it,” he said.
–Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix
Laurel says
“Byron Donalds has raised over $42 million for his gubernatorial campaign through his political action committee, Friends of Byron Donalds, which significantly exceeds the amounts raised by other candidates. A large portion of this funding comes from industries such as real estate, utilities, and agriculture, indicating potential influences on his governance if elected.”
– Search Assist, votewater.org
Same ole stuff, ‘nother day.
Ed Danko, former Vice-Mayor PC says
No organized efforts are needed for this amendment to pass. The majority of homesteaded homeowners know they’re being taxed to death and that their hard earned money is being foolishly pissed away by local governments. The only organizations trying to stop this are made up of lazy people and over-paid bureaucrats dependent upon your tax dollars. Their scare tactics will fail. You own your house, not the government. Vote Yes!
Laurel says
Whatever former vice mayer says, I’d do the opposite.
Ed Danko, former Vice-Mayor PC says
Then please, vote to pay more taxes! It’s exactly what a liberal should do!
JC says
Ed Danko being the usual screaming boomer. Super glad I never voted for his stupid @$$.
Laurel says
Ed etc.,etc.: No not really. That’s just talk.
Tell me the clearly, established plan details on how this proposal is going to work when in place after the election.
Don’t tell me what you think, don’t tell me what you believe, tell me the actual plan in place that will save us money, streamline government, and fills in the loss of current funds. How, exactly will it be handled.
I’ll wait.
Laurel says
Several days later, no reply…as usual. Can’t post a plan if there is none.
Darlene Shelley says
Maybe this is the Left’s chance to “Defund the Police” like they have been wanting to do?
Laurel says
Wow, magas are really something!
My cats hold better conversations. At least they are honest and don’t make crap up.
Exactly who is proposing the defunding? I’ll give you a hint: Republican politicians.
Who is voting “yes” without any clue how it will work or turn out? Do you need another hint?
Skibum says
With horrible ex-politicians like you rabidly supporting such a disastrous scheme that was dreamt up by the maga mini-nutjob desperately needing a federal job, it is no wonder there have been a whole host of public/private organizations coming out against this amendment. And not surprising either that there is a total lack of organizational effort in support of it either. The latest polling that I saw showed growing, overwhelming opposition by people who are clear headed and see what a catastrophe this would be for critical services that are provided by local governments all across the state.
Now, belatedly, state administration officials and politicians in Tallahassee are coming up with very vague, cover-up talking points that suggest there will be some unknown, undescribed, possible, maybe state funding procedure to replace all or maybe, possibly, potentially, don’t-bet-on-it supplement going to the counties if voters pass this scheme.
Hahahahaha!!! As the saying goes… watch what the do, NOT what they say!!! I am here to tell everyone that the corrupt maga talking heads will tell us ANYTHING to get their way, and we already know from past experience that we cannot believe a word coming from them… or from failed, ex-officials like Danko, who voters kicked to the curb quite awhile ago!
bill says
absolutely right I agree with you 100% they don’t want the cookie jar taken away from them. I’m voting ass yes yes.
Laurel says
If you don’t like your politicians, if you don’t like department heads, work to get them out. Don’t go after the workers. Don’t get rid of their jobs. Remember the Republican war cry “Jobs, jobs, jobs!”?
There is no “cookie jar” for the working class in government.
Ed P says
Hello Laurel,
Any public sector job that is funded by tax revenue is technically not a job because it’s a net cost to taxpayers.
Some public sector jobs could be revenue generating if we expand the definition of revenue generating. If the post office was actually profitable, that could be an example. A transit operator/ toll taker could earn the definition of a job.
Most public sector employees are a cost to taxpayers.
Not saying we don’t need them, but maybe we don’t need every single one of them. Head count bloat is an issue.
Approximately 36.5% of Flagler county’s total property tax collections are spent on personnel wages and benefits.
Did you know our county employees are paid for 14 holidays annually. Did you ever receive that benefit in the private sector?
A standard 5 year full time Flagler County employees averages 34 paid days off with vacations/personal days off.
Even if you disagree with everything I post, can you admit there might be some room for belt tightening?
Laurel says
I have worked both the private and public sectors. The average public worker does indeed fill a job. They don’t go into public jobs to get rich. Don’t deny them a few breaks.
The private jobs do better at promotions and raises. Don’t cry for them, they do just fine.
Governments are not supposed to make a profit, and for good reason:
“Governments are not designed to make a profit; their primary role is to provide public services funded by taxes and other revenue sources. Taxes are levied to cover the costs of services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure rather than to generate profit.”
Search Assist, taxfoundation.org,
cascadepolicy.org
Laurel says
No organized effects are needed to explain what happens after this is in place, right? Just swallow that bait and see what happens, since no one, in DeSantis’ camp is willing to tell you. Hell, they don’t even know.
Truthspeaker says
Yeah local government backed opposition .. using tax payers dollars to fund keeping more tax dollars. Make it make sense.
Darlene Shelley says
For me, and many struggling seniors, young homeowners, and retirees in the local communities that we have spoken with, reducing and eliminating property tax for homestead is real relief. Sorry, Floridians for Shared Prosperity, I disagree. I worked hard for my prosperity, 11 hour days, 55 hours a week for 35 years. Call me greedy, but I do not wish to share it through property taxes. Feel free to achieve your own prosperity. This tax break was earned by local homeowners through sweat equity. The truth is, without taking our money, the bloat and waste will lose its life blood, and the abuse, corruption, and hand outs will dry up and blow away. We don’t need to start a support group, I can’t imagine ANY homeowner opposed to property tax relief, and if they still want to pay they can simply decline the deduction, or use the savings to support a reputable local social service with proven results through a donation. It’s a YES for us!
Laurel says
You took the bait.
Doesn’t it concern you about the timing, and lack of plan, or explanation of what’s to come? Too bad. It should.
Your bill is not going away. That’s a flat out lie.
bill says
absolutely 100% correct darling I am voting for you
Deborah Coffey says
Oops. Even more of your money will then go to the state. You’re being conned. Or, just do without 911, fire departments, roads, water, etc.
JC says
I’m glad I didn’t vote for you on my ballot I just mailed back yesterday. Your lot from up north (since I know you aren’t from Florida) is killing/raping the state with your greediness. I know younger homeowners who aren’t voting for this amendment since it’s a scam.
Darlene Shelley says
JC- for the record, I am fighting with all I have against those that are “raping the state“. Greed and corruption are not bound by party lines. Painting with a broad brush is a poor way to make decisions. Think about this, my own political party does not back me, Anna Jones for County commission or Jeani Duarte for Palm Coast city Council, each of us lifelong Republicans, but they seem to back the realtor/ builder/ developer candidate who was a democrat until preparing to run for office. Pierre, you missed that important follow up question. Food for thought.
JC says
You know why the county party doesn’t back you three? All three of you are NUTS! I know the antics of you, Anna, and Jeani. You three think you know more about these issues but you don’t. All three of you act like a bunch of boomers who have no idea how government work and keep embarrassing yourself in public meetings. Since you three are for Amendment 3, which is actually taking away local control and make the state government more powerful, none of you three will ever get a vote from me because if Amendment 3 passes it will slowly turn Florida more into California when it comes to fees left/right.
If you are actually fighting against those who are “raping the state,” you should start with the state government since they will be controlling all of the money once Amendment 3 passes. They been pushing for more bills (that DeSantis keep signing) that continues to preempt what local governments/counties can do. I didn’t hear none of that from your three, but I keep hearing about how bad local government is.
Laurel says
You need to get over the boomer bigotry. It makes you less credible.
JC says
Absolutely not. When you act like a stereotype, you will get called out on it. You should hear a lot of the younger people saying how much some of these older politicians in Palm Coast are fools, and they laugh when going on the websites of the local candidates.
And this is before calling out their stupidity.
Laurel says
Why aren’t you, and these other young folks running for office? It’s always easier to blame someone else, isn’t it?
Enjoy your stereotyping and bigotry. Just in case you don’t know any better, they are the same thing.
Dennis C Rathsam says
LAUREL, Since you have all the answers, on every subject here.Its time you share your knowledge, & expertise on the city council. Make P/C a better place! Throw your hat in the ring.Who knows you might be mayor one day!
Laurel says
Thank you, Dennis, for your support. However, I don’t live in Palm Coast, so I shouldn’t run. Just like the people who run for Hammock positions who don’t live in the Hammock. Wouldn’t you agree?
Darlene Shelley says
Sooo, FCAR (Flagler County Association of Realtors) just endorsed my Democrat opponent. Can’t say that I am surprised. Please, for the love of Palm Coast, vote in the August 18 primary election for candidates that will STOP the overdevelopment, protect our environment, and cut the wasteful spending! No more realtors, builders, developers, land managers or cronies on the dais, PLEASE.
Deborah Coffey says
The problem with Republican governance is that people have begun to see through all of their ruses. They pretend they’re giving “we the people” something very nice and then, with sleight of hand, they take away 10X more in money and protected rights. That’s because they not only lust for money and centralized power, but they want the rich, richer and the poor, poorer. Of course that ruse is their “go to.” They tell the people that “trickle down” economics actually works…when those of us that have studied our history know that “trickle down” didn’t work and caused The Great Depression in 1929 and that is has never worked since. We are now a country of a wannabe dictator and his oligarchs, knowing that Republicans have led us in this direction for decades. So, here we are.
Ed P says
Hello Deborah,
It’s estimated that even though higher appraised homeowners (above $250,000) will save a few tax dollars, at least 60% of homesteaded Floridian homes ( are assessed at or below the $250,000 exemption level) will pay zero, nada, nothing for public services. Everyone continues to pay for schools.
Damn those Republicans , damn them all.
JimboXYZ says
And that’s where the fraud of appraisals will happen, everyone’s property will be reassessed unaffordable housing will continue to inflate. And then millage rates will increase. That’s if they don’t carve out Police & Fire and put it on the Utility Bill with Water & Garbage Collection. Where the Homestead Exemption increase won’t even apply. They’ll restructure how they collect it cross the board. The School Board won’t be affected as Homestead Exemption doesn’t apply. Those voting for the Property Tax reductions will have to wait 5 years to get the $ 250K Exemption(s). It’s a nothing burger for anyone really. Property Taxes will go up, Utility Bills will too for additional line items. The Real Estate industry realizes that trillions of inheritances are easy prey & picking for inflation for the sake of inflation. Biden-Harris ushered this era of USA. Was it Covid, or created illusion of a pandemic of deaths & mortality rates that remained no different than they’ve ever been ? Covid paid quite well for the Healthcare industry 2020-2022 ish, the theft of an election, the mandatory vaccine mandates. With the real estate people, they’d love to see home appraisals go up for RE Commissions, Banks will see their interest profits soar. And the Affordable Housing types will pass on Federal Programs for negligible assistance that is designed to keep the transactions flowing for overpriced housing. It’s no secret $ 150-175K home listings are easily double, in many case more than double. And Property Taxes drove up during that time as well, as did insurance premiums. All this happened in the Biden-Harris era. What has replaced Covid & Vaccine era inflation, is now the manageable wars. Interesting Iran is the big headline for it’s higher oil barrel & gasoline prices. The Ukraine War when was the last time anyone heard a peep about ending that war ? The Iran war has cease fires, that last hours before the one’s milking & bilking the rest of us for inflation. Every industry has it’s business model & game. It’s all a pack of lies. Just as FL Property Tax Legislation in FL is a bait & switch, so is the mirage & illusion of Federa Affordable Housing Legislation, that housing will ever be affordable again without the entire economy collapsing harder than it did Bush => Obama. Look for the property appraisals to start matching up with the increases in Market Home Listings & actual sales transaction amounts. And the Insurance premiums will have to follow that higher appraisal amount. Those that get hit with unaffordable homeowner’s insurance premiums will be in default of their mortgage contracts & foreclosures will continue to rise as they have. The cycle of stealing homes/property will become, if it hasn’t already become a similar rate of new & used car repossessions. Consumer Credit scores will suffer as well. Let’s all have a moment of pause to appreciate Biden-Harris for ushering this decade of Bidenomics. Under the guise of Capitalism, it’ll all be perfectly legal. What incentives are there to ever tame inflation, when the wealthiest are being rewarded at every step of the process across every industry ? The wealthiest are the one’s profiting off this misery.
https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/boomer-wealth-transfer-inheritance-housing-divide/?
https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/foreclosures-hit-highest-level-6-years-insurance-property-tax-costs-squeeze-homeowners
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kirkogunrinde/2025/11/14/us-foreclosure-rates-spike-32-from-last-year-heres-why/
Ed P says
Hello Jimbo,
5 years wait is for anyone not owning property by 12/31/2026 who is eligible for homestead.
Also if budget cutting doesn’t occur simply back filling with creative measures will prove toxic for politicians and cost them their jobs.
Flagler county’s property appraiser is not only good at his job, honest and more than willing to discuss your baseless claims. He has always followed up with me. Call him.
Finally, the wealthy are not the benefactors of this change.
Estimated that 62% of homesteaded properties will be excluded from public service taxes because they fall at or below the $250,000 exemption.
How does that help the higher appraised properties and non homesteaded?
Maybe you don’t fully understand the proposal?
Like I said
“Damn those republicans”
D. says
ANYONE WITH AN EDUCATION WILL VOTE YES!!!!!
Laurel says
D: I’m STILL waiting for you to “educate” the rest of us, but it never comes.
I’m not surprised.
Laurel says
It appears then, you are voting no.
Ed P says
Hello Laurel,
Last comment to D was a bit, well, salty.
We are all neighbors aren’t we?
Land of no turn signals says says
Vote NO to fund more pay raises for politicians and wasteful spending.
Laurel says
Too funny!