Florida Lawmakers Debate Competing Property Tax Proposals

Lawmakers advance plans to cut or eliminate property taxes ahead of special session.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:28pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of the Florida state capitol building, its facade bathed in warm, golden light and deep shadows, capturing the quiet contemplation of the political process surrounding property tax reform.The Florida state capitol building stands as a symbol of the ongoing political debate over property tax reform, with lawmakers advancing competing proposals that could reshape how residents pay for essential public services.Tallahassee Today

Florida lawmakers are advancing a range of proposals to cut or eliminate property taxes, with no clear agreement on what, if anything, will reach voters before the November midterms. Some Republicans are pushing to eliminate property taxes entirely, while others support a narrower plan to eliminate non-school property taxes on homesteaded properties. Meanwhile, the governor has called for eliminating taxes on homesteaded property without carving out school funding, and some lawmakers are considering a Colorado-style cap on local government spending. Democrats have criticized the Republican-led proposals, arguing they would simply shift the tax burden rather than eliminate it.

Why it matters

The debate over property tax reform in Florida reflects a broader political battle over taxation and government spending. The competing proposals could have significant implications for how Floridians pay for essential public services, the funding of local governments, and the overall tax burden on residents.

The details

State Rep. Ryan Chamberlin, a Republican from Marion County, is pursuing a citizen-led constitutional amendment to eliminate property taxes entirely, which would require roughly 900,000 petition signatures to make the 2028 ballot. Many House Republicans continue backing a narrower plan that passed during the session, which would eliminate non-school property taxes on homesteaded properties, contingent on 60% voter approval in 2026. Gov. Ron DeSantis has called for eliminating taxes on homesteaded property without carving out school funding, and Sen. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, is proposing a Colorado-style cap on local government spending.

  • The Florida Legislature is expected to return for a special session on property taxes as soon as this month.
  • The House's proposal to eliminate non-school property taxes on homesteaded properties would require 60% voter approval in 2026.
  • Rep. Ryan Chamberlin's proposal to eliminate property taxes entirely would require roughly 900,000 petition signatures to make the 2028 ballot.

The players

Rep. Ryan Chamberlin

A Republican state representative from Marion County who is pursuing a citizen-led constitutional amendment to eliminate property taxes entirely.

Rep. Juan Porras

A Republican state representative who has said the House has led the way on property tax relief, unlike the Florida Senate and the governor.

Gov. Ron DeSantis

The Florida governor who has called for eliminating taxes on homesteaded property without carving out school funding.

Sen. Tom Leek

A Republican state senator who is proposing a Colorado-style cap on local government spending as an alternative approach to property tax reform.

Rep.-elect Emily Gregory

A Democratic state representative-elect who has criticized the Republican-led proposals, arguing they would simply shift the tax burden rather than eliminate it.

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What they’re saying

“Our promise of property tax relief feels like the biggest April Fool's joke of the century.”

— Rep. Ryan Chamberlin

“The House has led the way on property tax relief… unlike the Florida Senate, unlike the governor, who has not released a plan at the moment.”

— Rep. Juan Porras, R-Miami

“We're working to, you know, kind of get with the key people, to get that off and running on the ballot. It's going to be a lot of excitement for people to be able to vote to protect their homestead from tax.”

— Gov. Ron DeSantis

“It puts a limit on a local government's budget that— at whatever the line is— and it can only grow beyond that as a function of population growth and inflation.”

— Sen. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach

“Eradicating property taxes is dangerous and dishonest. It is a tax shift. You'd have to still pay for municipal services through another revenue source.”

— Rep.-elect Emily Gregory, Democrat

What’s next

Lawmakers are expected to return for a special session on property taxes as soon as this month, but with competing plans and no consensus, it remains uncertain whether any proposal will make it to voters in the near term.

The takeaway

The debate over property tax reform in Florida reflects the broader political tensions around taxation and government spending. While Republicans are pushing for significant cuts or eliminations, Democrats warn that such proposals would simply shift the tax burden rather than provide meaningful relief. The outcome of this debate could have far-reaching implications for how Floridians pay for essential public services and the overall tax landscape in the state.