Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has sparked a heated debate by proposing the abolition of property taxes in the Sunshine State, a move that would require a constitutional amendment and significant voter support.
At a Glance
- Governor DeSantis endorses the idea of abolishing property taxes in Florida
- The proposal would require a constitutional amendment with 60% voter approval
- DeSantis considers property taxes oppressive and ineffective
- The proposal has gained support from influential figures like Eric Trump
- DeSantis suggests putting a bold amendment on the ballot to achieve necessary support
DeSantis Proposes Radical Tax Reform
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has thrown his weight behind a controversial proposal to abolish property taxes in the state. The Governor’s endorsement of this radical tax reform has ignited a fierce debate among Floridians and policy experts alike. DeSantis, known for his conservative approach to governance, views property taxes as an oppressive and inefficient form of taxation that burdens homeowners and stifles economic growth.
The Governor’s proposal has gained significant traction on social media, with his tweet on the subject receiving over 50,000 likes. This level of engagement demonstrates the widespread interest and potential support for such a drastic change in Florida’s tax structure.
Property taxes are local, not state. So we’d need to do a constitutional amendment (requires 60% of voters to approve) to eliminate them (which I would support) or even to reform/lower them…
We should put the boldest amendment on the ballot that has a chance of getting that… https://t.co/WpOQmjNl0X
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 13, 2025
Constitutional Hurdles and Voter Approval
DeSantis acknowledges that abolishing property taxes is not a simple task. As he points out, property taxes are primarily a local, not state, matter. Eliminating them would require a significant constitutional amendment, which in turn necessitates the approval of at least 60% of Florida voters.
Recognizing the challenge of achieving such a high threshold of voter support, DeSantis has suggested a bold approach. He proposes putting forth the most ambitious amendment possible that still has a realistic chance of garnering the required 60% approval.
“We should put the boldest amendment on the ballot that has a chance of getting that 60%,” DeSantis said.
Support and Criticism
The Governor’s proposal has attracted both fervent support and sharp criticism. Notably, Eric Trump, son of President Donald Trump, has praised DeSantis’ initiative. This endorsement from a member of the Trump family is particularly significant given DeSantis’ recent withdrawal from the presidential race and subsequent endorsement of Donald Trump.
“Florida leading the way! This is amazing!” Eric Trump said.
However, critics argue that abolishing property taxes could lead to significant revenue shortfalls for local governments, potentially impacting essential services such as schools, law enforcement, and infrastructure maintenance. They contend that alternative revenue sources would need to be identified to compensate for the loss of property tax income.
