DeSantis Sets Special Session to Implement Florida Property Tax Cut
The governor will call lawmakers back before his term ends to finalize the $150,000 exemption increase that passed with 62% support.
By Ayanda Boateng ·
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday that he will convene a special legislative session within the next two months to implement the large property tax cut approved by voters. The measure, known as Amendment 3, received 62 percent of the vote, exceeding the 60 percent threshold required for passage.
DeSantis stated at a press conference in the state Capitol that he will coordinate with the Legislature to set the specific dates for the session. He emphasized that the meeting must occur before his second term concludes in early January.
The amendment raises the homestead property tax exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027. It is scheduled to increase further to $250,000 in 2028. DeSantis said the session will establish the schedule for these future increases while also restricting local governments from offsetting the tax relief with other fees.
“What it’ll do is it’ll set the schedule for further homestead exemption, because we want people to get that,” DeSantis said. “But also limiting local governments from just doing an end run around the amendment and taxing them in other ways.”
The Legislature previously placed the tax cut on the ballot during a special session but excluded school districts from the expanded exemption. DeSantis suggested the Legislature may revisit the Florida Education Finance Program next year. He noted that the state’s funding formula for K-12 public schools could be adjusted to maintain school funding while providing relief to homeowners.
“You may be able to do a rewrite in a way that will provide strong funding for schools in a way that can still provide relief for homeowners,” DeSantis said. Governor-elect Byron Donalds has also indicated plans to modify the funding formula to give school districts more spending flexibility.
Amendment 3 faced opposition from groups including firefighters, police, and emergency medical technicians. These organizations argued the tax cut would strain rural county budgets. DeSantis credited the measure with driving Republican turnout, helping the party maintain control of the Cabinet while other red states shifted to Democratic candidates.
