DeSantis outlines property-tax focus, says homestead protections central to any proposal

Governor Ron DeSantis discussed property-tax policy and said the administration is focused on protecting primary-residence (homestead) taxpayers while exploring ballot options.

DeSantis said property-tax revenue collected by Florida local governments rose from about $32 billion in 2019 to roughly $56 billion last year and argued that protections are needed to prevent taxpayers from being overburdened by valuation-driven increases. "2019, the total amount of property tax revenue brought in by local governments in Florida was 32,000,000,000. Last year was 56,000,000,000," he said.

He said homestead exemptions account for roughly one-third of total property-tax revenue and framed any ballot measure as needing both legislative and voter thresholds: two-thirds of each legislative chamber to place a constitutional change on the November ballot and 60% voter approval to pass. DeSantis noted constraints on timing and process, saying that a constitutional change could not plausibly be completed before November through a regular session and suggesting August 1 as an operational deadline for preparing ballot language.

The remarks described broad targets and procedural steps rather than a finalized measure. The transcript does not include draft ballot language, fiscal analyses, or an on-the-record cost estimate; nor does it report a formal legislative referral or final vote in this event.