Florida lawmakers to nix property taxes? Get real

[Zorro]

News flash: Public services don’t come free.

Florida Republicans want to eliminate property taxes, which might be more popular in the Sunshine State than eliminating mosquitoes. A statewide referendum next year would likely drive record turnout to the polls, with the outcome a certainty. As Paul Tash, my old boss, would say: “Everybody loves free ice cream.”

But this is a terrible idea, fertilized by the most dishonest messaging I’ve ever seen from Tallahassee. It would bankrupt cities and counties, eviscerate police and fire departments and drive school systems into the ground. That Republican lawmakers are marshalling behind it shows how cynical and vacuous our representatives have become.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and legislative leaders have separately endorsed the idea, in what’s become an arms race among Republicans to compete for the party base in 2026 and beyond. But they have coalesced around the same false selling point: That nobody really owns their home if — as DeSantis put it — “you have to continue writing a check to the government, every year, just for the privilege of being able to use (your) property.”

Nobody’s writing a check “just for the privilege” of using their property. They’re paying their share for the public services we all provide. You may have bought your home, but the roads outside your home aren’t free. Police and fire protection aren’t free. Traffic lights and intersections aren’t free. Public schools aren’t free and neither are the sidewalks, parks and senior centers. Anyone who thinks their home entitles them to a lifetime of free services either doesn’t understand how society works or is entirely off their rocker.

Yet Republicans continue to pretend that Florida could eliminate property taxes, even entirely, without having to find other revenue to pay the bills. DeSantis said so during his State of the State address in March, insisting that Florida would not replace property taxes with new revenue. “Don’t let anyone tell you we will seek to raise state taxes because we will not,” DeSantis said. Three area House Republicans echoed the same fantasy last week, writing in the Tampa Bay Times that “Florida should be the first state in America to slash or eliminate and replace property taxes,” and calling on readers to “demand bold, practical” solutions for 2026.

https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2025/05/28/florida-lawmakers-nix-property-taxes-get-real-column/

[EYESORE 9001]

1. Future scenario

Libertarian asshole homeowner in Florida wants to fix the sinkhole that opened up on his street. Homeowner finds out his neighbors are no more inclined to contribute to the commomweal than he is. Some get all boot-strappy and seek improvised solutions. Chaos ensues.

[CanonRay]

2. How to create a libertarian hellhole in one easy step.

[sop]

3. There are so many stupid, ignorant people in Florida, I'm afraid this referendum will pass if it gets on the ballot.

Corporate interests and wealthy property owners in Florida will love it. Florida has no state income tax, so the only other way to pay for any public expenditures will be through increased sales taxes, fees, tolls and privatization of all public services and education...the most regressive forms of taxation.

[NCDem47]

6. Or allow MORE taxes and fees on vistors.

Its Florida's Number One industry. I'm sure some in Tallahassee see it as a never ending ATM. "Let those suckers pay for the benefit of coming here."

Oh my. How that House of Cards could topple over quickly.

[sop]

10. They already created the Tourist Development Tax (TDT)

Also known as the "bed tax" or "resort tax." It's levied on "the rental or lease of living quarters or accommodations for a period of six months or less. This includes rentals in hotels, motels, apartments, vacation homes, and other similar accommodations." They couldn't figure out a way of only raising taxes on tourists at restaurants, bars, shops and the like. Some politician is sure to propose a Florida entry fee for non-resident visitors, to be collected at airports and all entry points.

[mitch96]

11. "MORE taxes and fees on vistors."..A huge amount of visitors to florida are from Canada...Now not coming..

Therefore less taxes from these visitors...Also less people visiting the US (and florida) from around the world...Less taxes.. It does not make sense to me...Try lowering property taxes first and see how that goes.. wait WHAT?? that would entail critical thinking... Not a great commodity in the repuke party...
m

[JBTaurus83]

4. If it passes

everything from roads to fire dept. will need to be privatized. Everyone will end up paying more for shit products. People will race to get out of that state or avoid moving there. If they want to inflict their own economic collapse, go for it. The rest of the country will get an up close view of libertarianism in action.

[Silent Type]

5. I'd not want to be the one who tries to mount an information campaign against cutting taxes. It's clear it would be

detrimental, but all Floridians are going to hear is "less or no property taxes."

We won't hear many, "Yeehaw, we don't need no law enforcement, we got guns; who needs schools; we'll treat ourselves in illness; we are fine with dirt roads because we all have trucks;" and similar BS.

[bucolic_frolic]

7. Defund the Social Contract

It's a 6 in one, half a dozen in the other fantasy. It might however lead to more accurate accounting for what is being spent and on what by local and county governments. As if that will help. Homeowners could get separate bills for police, fire, water, sewage, paving, plowing, lighting. There's going to be a lot of this nonsense now that AI will break everything into microbits for all to see.

[Ritabert]

8. Since Florida already has no income tax....

...what's going to pay for police, fire, schools, and maintenance?

[Zorro]

9. They think tourists will bear the burden

[Ritabert]

12. Good luck with that.