TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers today are taking up a modified version of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plam to enact a massive property tax cut that would radically overhaul how local governments raise and spend money.

The proposal would ask voters in November if they want to provide up to a $250,000 exemption on non-school homesteaded properties — something opponents say would cost counties and cities billions in revenue and put many essential services at risk.

“This will really give local governments an opportunity to rein in spending and realign their balance sheets,” said Hialeah Republican state Sen. Bryan Avila, sponsor of the House version.

He repeatedly responded to questions from Democratic lawmakers by saying that he was merely presenting DeSantis’ proposal, which was meant to provide relief to property owners already facing rising inflation, housing and inflationary costs and other affordability issues.

State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, an Orlando Democrat, said lawmakers were given a “Frankenstein bill” that would be the ultimate “defunding of police.” It would leave out many essential services and “eliminates a loadbearing wall of state government” that would put local communities in a “financial straitjacket.”

“This is why we should not be completely reforming our tax structure in the state of Florida in special session, which we have three days to do,” Smith said.

The Legislature could adopt DeSantis’ proposal as is, amend it or scrap it altogether. Getting it on the ballot requires at least 60% of the members of both chambers to approve it.

Then 60% of voters must approve in November for it to become law Jan. 1.

The move is opposed by state Democratic lawmakers and a handful of Republicans, as well as most city and county officials, who said it would “bankrupt” most local governments. They came to Tallahassee in droves Monday to warn about the harm it would cause and the services that would be cut if approved. Rows of committee hearing rooms were filled with firefighters in uniform, who warned of a 25% cut in services if the resolution is approved.

“I am here to sound the alarm that this would severely affect Florida libraries,” said Jennifer Abdelnour, executive director of the Florida Library Association. Without a stable revenue we will have to reduce hours and face possible branch closures.”

Even some Republicans raised concerns ahead of today’s floor hearings about the impact this resolution would have if approved.

“I’m hoping … there can be some adjustment to that so our citizens have the ability to really understand the impact of this,” said Republican state Sen. Gayle Harrell of Stuart. “There is no doubt, if the voters vote for this, we’re going to have a whole restructuring of how or cities and counties work.”

State Sen. Tom Wright, R-New Smyrna Beach, had concerns the bill was moving too fast even though he voted for it in committee.

State Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, called the governor’s proposal the ultimate preemption of local government.

Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boynton Beach, agreed. “[Local governments] feel threatened and now we in the Legislature don’t know what to say to them.”

After several hours of debate extending into Monday evening, both the House and Senate approved amendments by Republican lawmakers to protect school tax revenue from proposed exemptions that would cost school districts an estimated $5 billion in revenue.

Orange County Public Schools would lose an estimated 7.3% of its overall budget should the state eliminate property taxes on homesteads, according to a Sentinel analysis. Seminole County Public Schools could see a 10.5% decrease, Lake County Schools would face an 11.5% shortfall, and the School District of Osceola County would lose 12.3%.

“School districts today already making tough decisions,” said state Sen. Jay Trumbull, a Panhandle Republican who offered the amendment to shield school tax revenue. “I … cannot support moving billions of dollars from education today. We are giving the state time to maintain our school choice program and fund education for the long-term.”

A similar amendment was approved in the House, introduced by state Rep. Sam Garrison, R-Fleming Island.

“That is encouraging development. I’ve got to tell you, I wasn’t feeling warm and fuzzy 24 hours ago,” said Maria Vazquez, Orange County’s superintendent of schools, on Tuesday.

The new version also deletes a state trust fund to help local governments on the brink of financial ruin from the resolution’s ballot language that summarizes the amendment. State Sen. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, who offered the amendment, said it would be misleading to voters to say there was a trust fund when the Legislature had not yet approved one or tapped a funding source.

“Here we are, giving permission to set up an empty bank account that can’t be relied upon,” Grall said. “When talking about this amendment we need to be clear there is not a pot of money for this backfilling.”

Grall also presented an amendment to axe the $5.5 million DeSantis wanted to provide local property appraisers to pay for mailing out notices to homeowners explaining the ballot amendment.

Democrats also filed amendments to clarify language, include other essential categories including services for senior citizens and veterans, libraries, mosquito control services and other categories. All the amendments offered by Democrats were voted down, but have been refiled for floor discussion today.

The resolution restricts what city and county officials can spend remaining revenue on to six broad categories, including public safety, education, debt service and retirement services for local government employees. An amendment introduced by Avila was approved to add a seventh category that broadly covered constitutional officers.

To protect against unintended consequences, Smith offered a sunset provision of the amendment in five years, with an option for the legislature to renew it.

“We are making transformational changes to our tax policy for better or worse. … Maybe I am wrong. Maybe Avila is wrong. We have no idea,” Smith said. “This gives us a kill switch if things go terribly wrong.”

His amendment failed in the full Senate.

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