DeSantis Threatens Veto of 0.25% Florida Sales Tax Cut, Pushes for $5 Billion Property Tax Relief
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has escalated his feud with House Speaker Daniel Perez over tax policy, threatening to veto a proposed 0.25% sales tax cut that would reduce the state's sales tax to 5.25%. At a roundtable in Tampa, DeSantis criticized the plan, arguing it would primarily benefit tourists rather than Florida residents and would result in a $5.4 billion revenue loss. He emphasized his preference for a $5 billion cut in property taxes, which he believes would provide more direct relief to homesteaded Floridians, offering rebates between $300 and $1,000.
Perez countered by defending the sales tax cut, describing it as the largest in state history and questioning DeSantis's opposition. He suggested that both sales and property tax cuts could be implemented, with the sales tax cut immediate and a property tax initiative placed on the 2026 ballot. The disagreement has led to a breakdown in budget negotiations, with the House proposing a framework that includes significant tax cuts, but facing opposition from both the Senate and the Governor.
The Senate, led by President Ben Albritton, has expressed concerns about the sustainability of the proposed sales tax cut, suggesting it would not significantly benefit families and seniors. Albritton has proposed alternative tax relief measures, such as eliminating sales tax on certain goods, and highlighted the need for a balanced approach that also considers property tax reform. The House has established a 37-member commission to explore property tax proposals, which DeSantis criticized as ineffective due to its size.
Re: budget blow up... "I'm disappointed," House Speaker @Daniel_PerezFL tells me. "I'm disappointed that when the Senate President @Sen_Albritton gave me his word that we had a deal, gave his chamber his word that we had a deal-- I'm disappointed that now that word has no value." https://t.co/Fr0mcDd5cM
The Senate started a little slow, but they seem to be actually listening to their constituents.
A sales tax cut is nearly meaningless to Floridians.
Not sure they can do it with current house leadership, but there's a real chance for a win here. https://t.co/iKRQyHFyEK
