The debate over property taxes in Florida moved rapidly into the spotlight when Governor Ron DeSantis called a special legislative session beginning June 1 to pursue a constitutional amendment. On May 28, 2026, DeSantis unveiled the proposal labeled “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes”, and within days Northwest Florida Senator Don Gaetz announced he would support the measure. Supporters frame the package as sweeping relief for homeowners; critics warn about budgetary strain for local governments.
Senator Gaetz framed his endorsement around the impact of rising assessments on households with fixed incomes, saying property levies increasingly feel like rent paid to government. Gaetz emphasized that while many local governments have been prudent with budgets, rapid growth in assessed values has pushed tax bills higher than incomes like pensions and Social Security.
Key elements of the proposed amendment
The governor’s draft contains several central components designed to reduce the tax burden on primary homeowners and reshape how local revenues are used. The plan would immediately raise the homestead exemption and set a legal schedule to phase out taxation of most homesteaded residences over time.
Immediate and phased exemption changes
Under the proposal, the first step would be to increase the exemption to $250,000 of a homestead’s value, with a later target figure reaching $500,000 for most qualifying owner-occupied homes. Proponents argue this staged approach yields quick relief while providing a predictable path toward greater tax reduction.
Protections and limits to prevent abuse
To guard against rapid migration for tax benefits, the measure would require new residents who establish Florida domicile after January 1, 2027 to maintain residency for up to five years before claiming the enhanced break. The proposal also seeks to limit annual property assessment increases for small businesses to 5% per year, while leaving large commercial and seasonal properties subject to full valuation.
Rules for local revenue and a state backstop
Another major feature is a directive on how remaining property tax revenues must be spent. The governor’s plan would require local governments to dedicate residual property tax receipts to a narrow set of public priorities: public safety, education, infrastructure and protection of natural resources. This specification is meant to ensure that the baseline functions residents expect continue to be funded.
State trust fund to support essential services
The proposal also envisions creation of a state trust fund to provide grants to local governments so they can maintain essential services while property tax relief is phased in. Proponents present this as a transitional mechanism to avoid abrupt service cuts during the multi-year changeover.
Why supporters like Gaetz are backing the plan
Senator Don Gaetz expressed direct support, saying he will vote for the governor’s package when it reaches the Senate. Gaetz repeated a central theme: soaring assessed values have translated into property tax bills that outpace incomes, especially hurting retirees and those on fixed incomes. He argued that the plan is a rare, politically viable path to significant homeowner relief that could survive both legislative and voter review.
DeSantis and allies highlight the magnitude of the issue in fiscal terms, noting forecasts that property tax revenue collected by local governments has climbed sharply and is projected to continue growing. They contend that enactment would constitute historic tax relief for millions of Florida homeowners while preserving funding for core services through statutory limits and a dedicated trust fund.
Political mechanics and next steps
The measure is structured as a constitutional amendment, meaning it must first clear the Legislature by the required supermajority during the special session (June 1-3) and then earn at least 60% approval from voters in a statewide ballot later this year. Supporters such as Gaetz believe that combination of legislative and popular endorsement is achievable; opponents have not yet coalesced around a unified alternative, though concerns about long-term impacts on local budgets and services remain.
As the special session begins, the debate will focus on balancing homeowner relief with the fiscal realities facing counties and municipalities, and on the specific safeguards that determine who benefits and how quickly. With Senator Gaetz publicly aligned with the governor’s plan, the proposal’s path through the Senate gained a visible boost in momentum in late May and early June 2026.
