Florida Property Tax Reform: Is a "Half-Measure" a Win or a Betrayal?

In Florida real estate, few things stir up more raw emotion than property taxes. After our last video on the 2026 property tax amendments being debated by the Florida House, the message from the community was loud and clear: anger and frustration. Many of you rightly pointed out the fundamental flaw in the current proposals, specifically House Joint Resolutions (HJR) 201 and 203: they don't achieve total property tax abolition.

We need to address this "elephant in the room" head-on. As a local Florida real estate insider, I share your frustration, but we also have to be pragmatic about the political reality in Tallahassee.

The Fundamental Flaw: The School Tax "Rent"

The core of your anger is justified. Many of us use the word "abolition," but the current bills, even the most sweeping ones like HJR 201, would only eliminate city and county property taxes. The tax for the School Board would remain.

Why does this matter beyond the dollar amount? It's about true homeownership. As long as there is any lienable tax on your property—even if it’s just $100 for the school board—you do not truly "own" your home. You are effectively renting it from the state. If that tax is not paid, a tax deed is sold, and you can lose your property.

The vision for the "Free State of Florida" should be true freedom: knowing that once your mortgage is paid off, no one can ever take your home. The current legislative proposals merely lower the "rent" we pay to the government; they do not end the system of renting altogether.

The Political Feud: DeSantis vs. The House Speaker

The debate over what property tax reform should look like has turned into a public spat between the Governor and the House Speaker. The drama is unfolding right now, not just in the committee rooms.

Governor DeSantis recently criticized the House's current "menu" strategy, suggesting that putting five or six different amendment options on the ballot is a "political game" designed to confuse voters and prevent any single option from reaching the required 60% approval threshold. He wants a cleaner, more aggressive cut.

In response, House Speaker Perez has defended the strategy, arguing that the House is attempting to give the people of Florida a genuine choice.

This political posturing leaves us, the homeowners and voters, stuck in the middle. The Governor promises more but has yet to file a specific, actionable bill. The House is offering what some are calling "The Crumbs"—partial reform.

The Hard Question: Is a Half-Loaf Better Than No Loaf?

This brings us to the most difficult decision we face as voters. If the only option on the 2026 ballot is to remove non-school taxes (Option B), versus keeping the current system (Option A), what is the smart move?

Option A: The Purist's Protest. You vote "No" to protest the fact that the school tax remains.

• Result: You keep paying full, high taxes. Politicians claim voters didn't want reform, and the opportunity for tax relief is lost for another two decades.

Option B: The Pragmatist's Half-Win. You vote "Yes" to secure the available relief.

• Result: You eliminate city and county taxes, resulting in a potential savings of $2,000 to $4,000 a year for the average homeowner. It’s not true ownership, but it is real, tangible money back in your pocket.

As a realist in the real estate game, I have to tell you that deals die when you hold out for perfection. My take is that we take the money. We passed HJR 201 to starve local governments of that revenue and secure the savings immediately. Then, the fight for true ownership—the removal of the school tax—begins the very next day.

Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. We need to secure Step 1 to make Step 3 possible.

Your Action Plan: Push for Amendments Now

We don't have to wait for the 2026 ballot. Since the Select Committee on Property Taxes is meeting right now, this is the time to push for amendments that make the current bills better.

We've put together the 2026 Tax Reform Action Pack to give you the tools you need. It's a free PDF linked in the description. Inside you will find:

• Direct Links to the Bills: Read the text of HJR 201 and 203 for yourself.
• The Contact List: A full list of every member of the Select Committee on Property Taxes, including phone numbers and email addresses.
• Scripted Emails: Three pre-written templates allowing you to communicate your frustration and demands:
1. The Purist: Demanding they find a way to cut school taxes, too.
2. The Pragmatist: Demanding immediate passage of HJR 201 and an end to the "10-year phase-in" distraction.
3. The Protector: Demanding they don't shift the tax burden onto small businesses.

Download the Action Pack, pick your template, and send those emails today. We are fighting for your home value and your wallet. Let the debate rage in the comments: If the ballot only removes City and County taxes, but keeps the School tax... are you voting YES or NO?