Florida lawmakers are set to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment that aims to increase the homestead property tax exemption while safeguarding funding for public education. The vote is scheduled for Tuesday during the second day of the Special Session F.
Amendment Details
Governor Ron DeSantis has advocated for significant property tax relief, proposing an increase in the homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. However, lawmakers have amended the proposal to ensure that the portion of property taxes funding public education remains unaffected. Republican Representative Sam Garrison emphasized the importance of protecting K-12 education funding, noting that schools lack the flexibility of local governments.
Financial Implications
The Florida Policy Project estimates that the proposed increase in the homestead exemption could cost school districts an average of $5 billion annually. House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell expressed concerns that the governor’s plan could negatively impact public schools, describing them as a “punching bag” in the proposal.
Legislative Process
The proposed amendment has already advanced through the Senate Appropriations Committee and the House State Affairs Committee along party lines. Lawmakers have made additional changes to the governor’s original plan, clarifying that local governments can still fund constitutional offices through property taxes and removing a proposed state trust fund intended to offset lost revenue for local governments.
Political Reactions
Democratic lawmakers argue that the amendment represents a tax shift rather than a tax cut, raising concerns about its impact on public safety funding. Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman criticized the proposal as a “political stunt” that could harm local communities financially.
Next Steps
For the amendment to appear on the November ballot, it requires approval from 60 percent of lawmakers in both chambers. Additionally, it would need the backing of 60 percent of Florida voters to take effect.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
