By Gabrielle Russon
A leading Orange County Democrat whose job is to collect property taxes is voicing his support for Republicans’ push to lower them.
Orange County Property Tax Collector Scott Randolph said he likes a percentage-based homestead exemption, one of several new proposals unveiled last week by House Speaker Daniel Perez. Randolph, a Democrat, is supporting an issue pushed primarily by Gov. Ron DeSantis and other Republicans.
Randolph spoke to 14 members of the Orange County legislative delegation during a public meeting, addressing a variety of concerns in downtown Orlando. Elected officials and members of the public asked their Representatives to focus on affordable health care, giving home rule back to local governments after the controversial SB 180, and other issues before state lawmakers return to Tallahassee next year for the new Session.
Randolph urged lawmakers to look at “a system of fairness” instead of focusing too much on local governments’ property tax-funded budgets.
“I’ve lived in the house I’ve lived in for the last 10 years. My property taxes have gone up less than $1,000 in 10 years,” Randolph said. “If somebody purchased that home this year, they would pay double what I pay in property taxes.”
The current situation is unfair for new homeowners as retirees, job hires and young people move to Florida, he said.
“If we don’t address that fairness, we will kill the housing market. It happened in 2007-2008,” Randolph warned.
One proposal coming from the House is to add a new homestead exemption for non-school taxes equal to 25% of a home’s assessed value. That plan appeared to have won Randolph’s support, though he wanted it to go a step further.
“I urge you to go 40 (percent),” Randolph said.
Randolph also said he would like to see an exemption for tangible personal property taxes raised to $200,000.
“You would help so many small businesses throughout the state at a very minimum cost to local government,” he said.
The conversation on property taxes will continue as state lawmakers agreed to meet with Randolph virtually for a public meeting focused solely on the issue before Session starts next year.
“We all know that these proposals impacting property taxes will have major repercussions for emergency services, for fire,” said Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, an Orlando Democrat.
“We have to take our time to make sure that we fully research this issue, get all the feedback from stakeholders. That’s why actually the Florida House and Senate put money in the budget to research the issue of eliminating or reducing property taxes, but unfortunately that was vetoed by the Governor.”
Fourteen lawmakers, a mix of Democrats and Republicans who represent Central Florida in the Senate and House, attended the meeting. That includes Sens. Kristen Arrington, LaVon Bracy Davis, Jason Brodeur, Smith and Keith Truenow, as well as Reps. Bruce Antone, Doug Bankson, Erika Booth, Anna Eskamani, Rita Harris, Johanna López, Leonard Spencer, Paula Stark and RaShon Young.
Rep. Susan Plasencia, an Orlando Republican, did not attend the meeting.
The post It’s not just Republicans who want property tax relief appeared first on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..
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