‘Stay tuned:’ Florida Gov. DeSantis says property tax cuts are in the works

BRADENTON, Fla. – Even though the latest Legislative session ended last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said lawmakers can still put forward a plan this year to cut property taxes.

The governor spoke on Thursday in Bradenton after he signed two new bills into law.

But during his news conference, he was asked about the possibility of suspending the state’s gas tax amid rising prices — a move pitched by House Democrats last week.

NO GAS TAX CUTS?

“Whether you’re paying tax or not, if you’re paying $4, that’s what people notice, right?” he asked. “And I think when we did it in the past, I think that you just saw, I don’t think the consumer really felt relief.”

Right now, the state tax rate on motor fuel sits at 22 cents per gallon, but DeSantis said that it’s an issue better handled by private markets and the federal government.

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“My answer is just get the cost down internationally, and that means having stable energy markets, making sure we’re doing everything to get our stuff to market, but I don’t know that there’s going to be any simple fix for what we’re doing,” he continued.

However, DeSantis said that homeowners may still see property tax relief, even after the latest proposal stalled in the Senate.

PROPERTY TAX CUTS?

However, DeSantis said that homeowners may still see property tax relief, even after the latest proposal stalled in the Senate.

“For me, in terms of helping people address the cost of living, I’ve said it’s property taxes,” DeSantis stated. “That’s the best thing we can do, that we can actually control and deliver big relief to people.”

[BELOW: Seminole County commissioners OK property tax hike]

DeSantis, who has been a vocal proponent of property tax cuts, is planning a special session on redistricting for late April. Property taxes could be added to that session.

“This is kind of a rolling process, the way they’re doing it this year, right? I mean, we’re still going to be doing a lot,” he continued. “There’s going to be bites at the apple for a lot of different issues over the next six weeks — and maybe even beyond that."

Either way, Florida lawmakers will have to stay in Tallahassee, as the budget is still not ready — something that is constitutionally required.

“We’ll see what happens on a whole host of things. But I would just say, ‘Stay tuned,’” DeSantis finished. “And don’t let anyone tell you somehow we’re not doing the property tax. We’re going to be robust.”

HOW WOULD PROPERTY TAX CUTS BE DONE?

Because property taxes are a local issue, it would take an amendment to the state’s constitution for Florida lawmakers to actually cut them statewide.

This means that 60% of Florida voters would have to approve such an amendment.

[BELOW: Florida governor candidate Byron Donalds talks about repealing property taxes]

Back in January, DeSantis proposed on Fox & Friends how property taxes could be most effectively introduced.

• State Fund Replacements: Excess state funding could be used to help offset any losses from property tax cuts.
• Homesteads Only: Any property tax cuts would only be for primary homesteads, which aren’t the biggest source of property tax revenue.
• Exposing Local “Waste”: The governor’s DOGE audit task force has been uncovering “waste, fraud and abuse” in local government spending across the state to pressure local governments into reducing their budgets.

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