Florida homeowners see bigger tax breaks as DeSantis calls special session
Voters approved a major increase to the homestead exemption, prompting the governor to schedule a legislative meeting to finalize implementation details before his term ends.
By Jonathan Reed ·
Florida homeowners will receive a larger property tax exemption starting in 2027 after voters approved Amendment 3 on Tuesday. The measure raises the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028. The proposal received 62 percent of the vote, surpassing the 60 percent threshold required for passage.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Wednesday that he will convene a special legislative session within the next two months. The goal is to install the new tax structure before his second term concludes in early January. He stated he would work with the Legislature to determine the specific timing of the session.
The special session also aims to prevent local governments from using alternative tax methods to offset the loss of property tax revenue. DeSantis described this as a necessary step to ensure residents actually receive the financial relief promised by the amendment. He noted that the schedule would set the stage for these further homestead exemption changes.
The amendment initially excluded school districts from the larger exemption during a summer special session. However, DeSantis suggested the Legislature might review the Florida Education Finance Program next year. This state funding formula for K-12 public schools could be rewritten to provide strong funding for schools while still offering relief to homeowners.
School districts have faced financial pressure in recent years due to record-low birth rates and an expansion of school vouchers. These factors have led to lower enrollment, school closures, and budget cuts. Governor-elect Byron Donalds said he plans to change how the program funds schools to give districts more spending flexibility. He wants districts to decide how to pay teachers and what programs to offer.
The measure faced opposition from groups including firefighters, police, and emergency medical technicians. Local government officials and some Republican leaders argued the cut was too drastic for rural counties. They warned that essential services could suffer if local taxes were reduced significantly.
DeSantis credited the popularity of the tax cut for boosting Republican turnout. He said the high voter participation helped keep the state Cabinet under GOP control. He observed that many voters who supported the amendment also voted for Republican candidates lower on the ballot.
