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 election.
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.”
Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.
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kmskepton
Anyone??? Why is this so urgent? Where did this come from? Is this really what people want? How will this not hurt most people?
Friday, October 3, 2025 Report this
N_Alice_Newlon
It is so easy for the state to take away the revenue that is used to run the county. Where is the money going to come from to build roads, bridges, pay the salaries of county staff, clean up after a hurricane. Wait until the state sees how much less they are getting from "one big beautiful bill", which means the county will get less as well.
Want to know more? Oct 13, noon. register for Florida FY 2025–26 Budget Overview, Impact on Funding of Education. Experts from Florida Policy Institute will be speaking and the first half will be on overview on the Florida's revenue and budget proposals. I am sure DeSantis's proposal will come up. The second half will be the impact on Education from revenue and all the legislative changes including the universal vouchers. To register go to https://lwvmanatee.org/
Friday, October 3, 2025 Report this
Cat L
Who donated to him and wants something now? He's very money motivated.
Friday, October 3, 2025 Report this
GCDUBBAU
Do I see an end to all local property taxes ? Unlikely. Is it responsible government to have a true understanding of why property taxes need to be so high and whether local budgets are excessive ? Yes. At the local level, for starters counties could collect 100% of allowable impact fees to fund development infrastructure. Counties could also stop using CDDs and Stewardship Districts as a development funding vehicle that homeowner taxpayers have zero input into creating but effectively pay double taxes on for decades. Local taxpayers should instead vote on bond issues for development. Some research into and discussion about local property taxes is in the interest of every taxpayer, complacency is not a virtue for responsible government.
Friday, October 3, 2025 Report this