Full Breakdown
Florida Governor Calls Special Session to Propose Constitutional Amendment Eliminating Homestead Property Taxes
5/27/2026, 11:39:49 PM
DeSantis Announces Special Session and Amendment Plan
Governor Ron DeSantis announced a special legislative session, set for June 1-3, to craft a constitutional amendment that would raise the homestead exemption to $250,000. The initial change would eliminate property taxes for roughly 60 % of Florida homeowners; a later increase to $500,000 would extend tax-free status to about 92 % of primary residences.
Background and Fiscal Context
Florida’s current homestead exemption caps at $50,000. Property-tax collections rose from $32 billion in 2019 to $60 billion in 2025, driven largely by rising home values. DeSantis has been promoting tax relief since March 2025, when he first suggested eliminating homestead taxes.
Key Figures and Stakeholders
- Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida
- Ben Albritton, Senate President
- Daniel Perez, House Speaker
- Fentrice Driskell, House Democratic Leader
- Local governments, including Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Cooper City, Tamarac, and Plantation
Timeline of Legislative Actions
- May 27, 2026: DeSantis unveils the plan in Tampa.
- June 1-3, 2026: Special session convenes to draft amendment language.
- August 2026: Legislature must approve the amendment by a 60 % supermajority in each chamber.
- November 2026: Voters decide the amendment; passage requires 60 % approval.
Data and Projected Financial Impact
- $250,000 exemption eliminates taxes for 60 % of homeowners; $500,000 for 92 %.
- Analyses estimate average annual savings of $1,500-$1,800 per homeowner in Miami-Dade and Broward.
- Projected revenue losses: Miami-Dade County $500 million, Broward County $329 million; Cooper City could see a 35 % budget cut, Tamarac 33 %, Plantation 23 %.
- The governor proposes a state trust fund to grant money to localities for “core services” such as schools, police, and fire departments.
Why It Matters: Service Funding and Political Stakes
Local governments rely on property taxes for education, public safety, libraries, and other services. Critics warn that reduced revenues could force cuts or shift the burden to higher business or sales taxes, with some municipalities projecting double-digit sales-tax increases. The amendment also carries political weight ahead of the 2026 midterms, positioning tax relief as a signature issue for the governor.
Official Statements and Legislative Responses
DeSantis called the proposal “historic” and a “pathway to transformational relief.” Senate President Albritton described it as “meaningful relief for Florida families” while safeguarding core services. House Speaker Perez noted the House has already passed a similar amendment and looks forward to reviewing the governor’s language. Driskell warned that cuts could be “devastating” for local services and urged focus on property-insurance costs instead.
Criticism and Opposition
Local officials argue that eliminating homestead taxes would jeopardize funding for schools, fire rescue, and other essential programs. Business groups fear the loss may be transferred to them through higher taxes or assessments. Democrats contend the measure lacks consensus and could exacerbate fiscal strain on municipalities.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Revenue-loss estimates differ: Miami-Dade’s $500 million figure contrasts with statewide projections lacking precise post-amendment totals. The size and eligibility rules of the proposed trust fund remain unspecified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The primary purpose of that is to make your homestead property tax-free,” — Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida
- “I think a lot of people need relief,” — Ron DeSantis
- “In conversations with the local governments that I serve, I'm hearing that any cut, even though it might seem small in the grand scheme of things, could be devastating,” — Fentrice Driskell, House Democratic Leader
- “They’re still getting a lot of money, way more than they did seven years ago,” — Ron DeSantis
- “I don’t want Floridians to go and see this on the ballot and say, ‘Oh man, I really would like the property tax relief, but I don’t want the entire state of Illinois to empty out into Florida or wherever because of this,’” — Ron DeSantis
What’s Next
The Legislature must secure a 60 % supermajority in both chambers by August to place the amendment on the November ballot. If approved, a post-election implementing session will detail the trust-fund mechanism and the phased schedule for raising the exemption.
