TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Rep. Ryan Chamberlin mentioned Wednesday that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ latest veto of a $1 million property tax research gained’t derail legislative efforts to finish property taxes for homesteaders.
In an interview with Florida’s Voice, Chamberlin mentioned the research was not vital given the entire work already being completed by the Home Choose Committee on Property Taxes. He mentioned the research was authorized late and carried a price ticket even he thought-about extreme.
“I don’t need the taxpayers to pay one million {dollars} for a research that ought to solely take $50,000 to drag collectively,” Chamberlin mentioned. “We’ve had extra progress within the final 90 days than we’ve seen within the final 20 years.”
The proposed research, which might have been performed by the Workplace of Financial and Demographic Analysis, was meant to research the impression of phasing out property taxes, notably on homesteaded properties. It was required to be accomplished by Nov. 1.
DeSantis vetoed the funding on Monday, criticizing the EDR and likening it to a state model of the Congressional Funds Workplace.
“We all know what must be completed, so let’s simply do it,” DeSantis mentioned. “We don’t want to present a paperwork cash to check this.”
Senate President Ben Albritton mentioned in an announcement on Monday that lawmakers are “excited and energized” to pursue property tax reduction within the subsequent session.
Sen. Jonathan Martin, who sponsored a associated invoice this yr, additionally supported the governor’s veto.
“I stand behind the governor’s choice to veto the funding for an out of doors entity to check the elimination of property taxes in Florida,” Martin advised Florida’s Voice.
“My invoice (SB 852) this yr didn’t name for funding — simply an in-house research. The knowledgeable employees members within the govt and legislative branches are greater than able to conducting the research and are accustomed to working below the steerage of these elected to hold out the need of the individuals.”
Chamberlin echoed the optimism, but in addition warned in opposition to overpromising.
“I’m hopeful we’re going to have some very strong conversations and options,” he mentioned. “However I additionally need to watch out to not overpromise and underdeliver on a timeline.”
Regardless of the veto, Chamberlin mentioned committee conferences, public enter and analysis are ongoing as lawmakers put together for the following legislative session in January 2026.
“I’m very hopeful that we’re going to have some very strong conversations, some very strong options which are we’re capable of talk about and begin speaking about publicly,” he mentioned.
