Lawmakers attempt abolishing property taxes in Florida
‘It’s time’: Lawmakers look at abolishing property taxes in Florida
A contentious concept is once again gaining traction in the Legislature: the elimination of property taxes and their replacement with a new "consumption tax" imposed on the sale of goods and services throughout the state.
Republican Representative Ryan Chamberlin asserts that this change would bring an end to what some consider to be "the most despised tax in America." Chamberlin, who is sponsoring a measure (HB 1371) to explore the possibility of shifting the tax burden from homeowners to consumers, expressed his belief that the time for this change has come during a meeting with the House Ways and Means Committee.
The measure received a 15-6 vote in favor. If passed, the bill would require the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) to conduct an examination of the potential impact. A report on the matter would be due on February 1, 2025.
Chamberlin, a first-term Republican legislator from Belleview, provided two reasons for why property taxes should be abolished.
Firstly, he argued that property taxes create a system where homeowners never truly own their homes. "We are essentially renting our properties from the state, and as long as we continue to pay those rents, we can utilize the property for which we hold a deed," he explained. "This is not taxation; it is a form of slavery."
The Office of Program Policy Analysis and
Government Accountability (OPPAGA) shall study the potential
impact of eliminating all property tax and replacing lost
revenue through the establishment of a consumption tax. OPPAGA
shall submit a report on its findings to the President of the
Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by
February 1, 2025.
Florida Politics