DeSantis leads GOP push for Florida tax exemption hike

Gov. Ron DeSantis joined several Republican candidates at St. Petersburg College on Monday to advocate for the passage of Amendment 3. The group urged voters to support the measure, which seeks to raise the non-school homestead exemption on primary residences. The amendment would increase the exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 by 2028. From 2029 onward, the exemption amount would be adjusted for inflation.

DeSantis argued that the change would force local governments to operate more efficiently. He noted that total property tax revenue for local governments was $33 billion in 2019 but has risen to $62 billion in the current year. DeSantis stated that homestead revenue accounts for only 30% to 35% of total property tax income. He claimed that even if homestead revenue were eliminated entirely, local governments would still receive more money than they did in 2019.

The governor pointed to a specific provision in the amendment that restricts remaining property tax revenue. Under this rule, funds can only be used for core services such as police, fire, and water utilities. Ashley Moody, a candidate for U.S. Senate, supported the efficiency argument. She said the goal is to keep government out of voters' lives and out of their pockets.

Wilton Simpson, the commissioner of agriculture who is running for re-election, took a stronger stance on the issue. He stated that homestead property tax should be zero. Simpson argued that homeowners feel like they are renting from the government because of high taxes. He said the current tax burden traps people in their homes because they cannot afford to pay two or three times more in property tax if they moved.

Independent analysis presents a different financial picture for local budgets. Florida TaxWatch estimates the amendment would reduce revenue for cities and counties by more than $45 billion over five years. The impact varies by region over the next two years. Sarasota County would see a reduction of $250 million, while Pinellas County would lose $714 million. Hillsborough County faces a projected loss of nearly $1 billion.

Local government officials have warned that the revenue drop will affect the services they provide. They indicated that agencies may be forced to raise other fees to compensate for the lost property tax income. Amendment 3 requires at least 60% of the vote on election day to take effect.