TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — On a 30-9 vote, the Florida Senate on Tuesday placed a property tax phase out plan on the November ballot.
The House approved the measure earlier on a 75-26 vote.
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Under the plan, in the first year would be a $150,000 homestead exemption. In the second year, a $250,000 homestead exemption.
After that, the Florida Legislature would set a schedule for full elimination.
Action News Jax state and local government reporter Jake Stofan reports that the Legislature pulled school property tax out of the equation and removed the state trust fund.
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The trust fund was pitched by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to backfill local budgets.
After the vote on Tuesday, House Minority Leader Rep. Fentrice Driskell (D), shared her concerns about this measure going on the November ballot.
“What we saw was the state government that’s supposed to be a backstop for our local community absolutely bully them into a position where they’re not even sure how they’re going to cover their most essential needs including things like police and fire,” Driskell said.
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Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez (R) praised the proposal’s passage.
“The win here is that we trust our voters. We have smart voters in Florida. We have educated voters. They are going to have the opportunity to either vote this up or vote this down on the ballot in November,” Perez said.
At least 60 percent of Florida voters will have to approve the changes on the November ballot for them to take effect.
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