In Florida’s current political landscape, a heated debate over tax relief has emerged between Gov. Ron DeSantis and key legislative leaders.
Speaking at a Hope Florida Roundtable in Brandon on May 14, DeSantis emphasized property tax relief as his administration’s top tax priority. Despite Florida having “one of if not the lowest tax burdens of any state,” DeSantis argued that property taxes imposed by local governments are where Floridians “are feeling the pinch.”
The governor questioned the philosophical basis of property taxation, asking:
“Do you own your own home if you have to just keep paying taxes indefinitely to the government just for the purpose of privilege of using your own property?”
DeSantis highlighted how Florida’s population boom has caused property values to skyrocket, with some homes tripling in value over 15 years, leading to unsustainable tax increases for long-term residents. His solution includes both immediate action through rebates of $1,000 and a constitutional amendment in 2026.
- “I’m very much supportive of obviously doing something on the ballot in ’26, which is the only way you’re going to finally be able to give people permanent relief. But even in the meantime, providing people with rebates off the taxes that they’ve already paid,” DeSantis stated.
Andrade’s Sharp Criticism
State Rep. Alex Andrade offers a dramatically different perspective, criticizing the governor’s approach as insufficient and politically motivated rather than substantive. Referring to DeSantis’s opposition to the sales tax reduction preferred by the House, he said, “I’ve never seen a Republican governor fight so hard against a tax cut before.”
Andrade argues that conflating property tax cuts with sales tax cuts creates a false choice: “One affects the state budget, the sales tax, and the other affects local budgets, the property tax. I think both can and should be taken up, considered, and probably implemented.”
The lawmaker challenges DeSantis to lead by example:
“It’s kind of stunning to me how much DeSantis wants to tell other people what to do, but won’t look inward and say, ‘We should cut our own state budget to set the example.'”
Andrade points out that Florida’s budget has ballooned from below $100 billion in 2018 to “pushing $120 billion today.”
He suggests that DeSantis’s property tax approach would require state subsidies for local governments, particularly in South Florida where local budgets have expanded significantly. “He can’t come out and say it because it’s not conservative, but by saying that the sales tax cut is going to somehow undermine property taxes, he’s saying he knows we have to subsidize local governments if we’re going to cut property taxes.”
- While Andrade agrees philosophically that property taxes are “one of the worst types of taxes,” he criticizes the governor for not engaging on specific implementation questions: Should it be an increased homestead exemption? Changes to property valuation methods? Or an outright prohibition on property taxes?
Mac & Cheese: Using a vivid metaphor, Andrade compared the governor’s approach to a toddler demanding only one food: “I want nothing but mac and cheese and how dare you offer me anything else while I’m waiting until November 2026 to get my mac and cheese.”
What’s Next?
With the legislative session extended and tensions high, Florida’s tax debate shows no signs of quick resolution. Both sides claim to champion tax relief but disagree fundamentally on methods and priorities. DeSantis focuses on leveraging Florida’s tourism economy to shift tax burdens away from residents, even Florida residents pay 75% to 66% of the state’s sales taxes according to the governor’s estimates.
- Meanwhile, the Florida House argues for immediate sales tax cuts coupled with spending reductions.
For Florida residents feeling the squeeze of rising costs, the outcome of this political standoff will have real financial consequences. The debate raises important questions about government spending, taxation philosophy, and who should bear the responsibility for funding local services.
This a very strange debate. Both sides are arguing about the best way to implement a terrible idea. First, cutting taxes sounds great on paper, but what services, investments, and infrastruture will disappear? How many teachers will vanish from the schools? Second, tourism and federal spending are set to plummet due to Trump administration policies. The state budget is going to shrink because Florida won’t be pulling down the usual amount of tourist taxes and federal help. Third, Republicans have pressured the budget for decades. Who do these folks think have been running the state? What else is there to cut? Andrade’s example is instructive: the budget, he says, has “ballooned” from less than $100 billion in 2018 to $120 billion today. Sounds like a lot, but in reality, that is LESS than inflation. In other words, spending has actually fallen. If the state had kept up 2018 levels, the budget would be closer to $127 billion. Cutting taxes is like cutting hair: a periodic trim makes sense. As a lifestyle, it just leaves you bald.