Gov. Ron DeSantis is threatening to put lawmakers on the spot about property taxes during the heat of their reelection campaigns.
The governor, during a news conference at Jacksonville International Airport Wednesday, reiterated that he believes voters should decide the fate of the property tax in the state come the November 2026.
Lawmakers could “potentially have a special session on property tax right in the middle of the Republican primary season in July or August,” DeSantis said, although “I’m not saying we’re going to wait that long.”
He continued: “I don’t think a lot of these guys would want to vote the wrong way then. It’s interesting, when they know the voters are watching, they tend to govern themselves accordingly.”
The 2026 primary elections are set for Aug. 18.
The governor’s office is researching how the tax can be eliminated for Florida homeowners with homestead exemptions, in what he says is possibly the only state in the nation that could eliminate such a tax. In August, he said the structure of the state’s economy, enhanced by tourism, gives Florida the edge most states don’t.
“I want to see something big enacted, that’s the whole goal. So, we’re doing that, we’ve got numbers, we’ve got language, we’re doing that. So, that will happen, you guys will see that in due time,” DeSantis said.
“Nobody that I’ve talked to is really complaining about taxes at the state level. They appreciate the tax relief, they appreciate no income tax. What they’re being squeezed by are taxes at the local level, with the property taxes,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis appeared with Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia. The stage was positioned next to what Ingoglia calls a “Donna Deegan Hologram,” a video board at JAX that plays an image of the mayor welcoming travelers to the city.
On social media, Ingoglia has taken a particular interest in the cost of the display to taxpayers, reportedly $75,000. During the news conference, Ingoglia called the presentation “a stark example of tone deafness.”
The Florida House last month convened its Select Committee on Property Taxes in advance of the 2026 legislative session. That committee is digging into the matter, while the Senate remains without any counterpart.
As part of the state’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” efforts and in a push to prod lawmakers into eliminating property taxes, DeSantis and Ingoglia have been touring around the state, criticizing some local governments for spending practices. They’ve alleged overspending in several jurisdictions but few specifics of what they consider wasteful spending.
However, on Wednesday afternoon the governor’s office released a list of projects it considers “irresponsible,” with a link toward events serving the LGBTQ community.
DeSantis promised more findings, including for universities and state agencies.
The governor said the state may highlight cities that are, in his eyes, doing “a good job.”
“It could be a blue city,” DeSantis said. “We’ll give you credit. And I know that there are red areas that have spent way too much.”
–Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix
PB says
Well big D wants to take the place of big T. Talk about a feather in his cap!
Joe D says
Okay….I’d like to pay less in property tax…who wouldn’t? But given the “no state income tax” and the homestead tax credits, and the recent small tax rate rollbacks….how does the Governor expect local jurisdictions are going to pay for maintaining and improving infrastructure (roads, water treatment, sewer services, lighting, government buildings) without the only taxing venue left…property taxes.
The local jurisdictions also have school services, police, fire, and ambulance personnel? The State essentially SNUBBED Palm Coast last year ( Governor DeSantis’ old stomping ground before he moved up in State politics…talk about RETRIBUTION), by offering only minimal assistance with costly improvements to their sewage treatment system, and MILLIONS of dollars of State Education funds were diverted to private and home schools to families REGARDLESS of income ( most states offer a limited school voucher system, and there is a cut off based on family income), so that they are not subsidizing millionaires and billionaires private school tuition with State funds like Florida’s CHOICE program does.
I guess we could always get VOLUNTEER GROUPS with buckets of gravel and tar…and go out on the weekends to fill potholes. Or we could start an “Adopt a cop” program so that donations could be distributed to pay for individual first responders equipment and supplies ( that was sarcasm, people, for those of you who didn’t get it).
I’m sure there are some areas of inefficiency and waste, but jurisdictions can BARELY cover their maintenance costs (especially with continuing recent inflation, and the added costs for equipment and supplies caused by new tariffs…companies are not going to “eat the cost”). They are going to pass it on to the end user…our local government ( using our TAXES).
Tourism does help take the end off of increased costs, but as we have seen in Flagler Beach, the County residents don’t feel they should have to contribute to the tourist beach maintenance that brings in $900 millions in tourist related tax dollars to the Flagler Co tax base annually.
Governor DeSantis’ original hopes to stay in touch with the Governor’s Office have been dashed after his plans to have his wife Casey run for Governor, were complicated by the HOPE Florida charity she was affiliated with being involved with potential misuse of MEDICAID funds to support an anti Cannabis campaign in the last election. He now has to find other ways to impress the NATIONAL GOP with how he has “cut waste” and “increased efficiency” in Florida, so he can move on to the NATIONAL STAGE (in my opinion).
JimboXYZ says
As much as the property taxes are that payment everyone hates to get. It’s a necessary evil, politicians floating that because they did what they did with Bidenomics & the inflation economy. Take your pick, property taxes vs one time assessments. Same game $ 1/2 billion for STF’s is still going to be higher water bills and hat financing of debt. Home prices aren’t going to ease just the same. This is what that braintrust of Ivy League experts of Economics have come up with. And that won’t stop the lawsuit over the higher impact fees that has been brought against the taxpayer base. Back to the “Broke Azz B*tch” lifestyle of City of Palm Coast/Flagler County. Alfinville duplex rental hell, where every other neighbor is operating a drug house ? The infrastructure will be financed either way(s), property taxes & utility increases, assessments & anything else the board game of Monopoly was the learning tool for to be applied to a real world game of life.
DennisC Rathsam says
The right thing to do is…. any homeowner over 65 should be exempt from paying taxes. At this point in our lives, we need to do as much as we can. Father time is knocking at the door. I keep telling him, Theres nobody home!
Laurel says
No property tax. That, of course, sounds appealing. Who wants to pay more tax? Property taxes are high. So, I have a couple questions about DeSantis’ idea:
1.) Of the “$900million in tourist money,” we keep hearing about, that comes into Flagler County, where is it going? My taxes, food and insurances have not come down, it all continues to go up. So, will someone please tell me exactly how this is helping the average resident here? Not businesses specifically, but residents. DeSantis thinks tourist dollars will solve all our problems. How?
2.) Will we be counting the Canadians, and other tourists, who no longer want to visit us?
3.) Are we considering all the people who used to provide services who have be removed? They paid taxes too, yet not getting the benefits as claimed by some, so their taxes will no longer contribute.
4.) What exactly is DeSantis’ plan, the written plan that can be scrutinized as functional or not, to replace property tax money, before any actual vote for change?
5.) Will we then need the hotels and pickle ball courts in our state parks to make up for the loss (to us residents, not developers)?
This sounds, to me, like Trump’s personal retribution and reward program, that is short term. Provide an actual plan, that can be analyzed to work long term, now. The fact that DeSantis admits that this proposal should influence midterm elections, makes me believe this is a short term, not well thought out for residents, bribe.
Lee says
Sounds to me it’s part of the 2025 list…..
Rapidly defunding, less taxation, leads to defunding States & local Policing, Hospitals, Fire protection & yes all public schools!!
Leaving America totally dependent on WHO? Yes the Government ???
Why the huge funding in Ice?
No need of our great city & state policing any more….people need to think before jumping off the cliff in a vote that could be extremely dangerous to all great citizens.
Colleen Briedis says
Your property tax bill is broken down into different categories, the one I get in the mail has 8 categories. Flagler Co., Flagler County voted Debt, School-State Law Levy, School Discretionary, City of PC, Water Mgmt District. Mosquito control, FL. Inland Navigation District. I may be wrong but I am thinking only the 1st one or City of PC has to do with Property and the others would still be owed. which would cover infrastructure, etc.
c says
“He (DeSantis) continued: “I don’t think a lot of these guys would want to vote the wrong way then. It’s interesting, when they know the voters are watching, they tend to govern themselves accordingly.””
Kettles calling pots black?
Palm Coast Citizen says
With the Live Local Act, SB 180, and now this proposal, it seems worth asking whether Florida is entering a period of increased state preemption over local decision-making. These measures reduce the discretion of local governments to manage housing, resilience, and revenue in ways that fit their communities.
If property taxes are reduced or removed, how will counties and cities maintain essential services without becoming more dependent on the state? What safeguards would ensure that local priorities and citizen input aren’t replaced by one-size-fits-all decisions from Tallahassee?
It’s easier for residents to hold local officials accountable than it is to influence state policy.