Florida once again becomes the stage for an intense political duel between two key figures of the Republican Party: Governor Ron DeSantis and the Speaker of the State House of Representatives, Cuban-American Daniel "Danny" Pérez.
The focus of the conflict this time is the tax model that must be implemented to alleviate the tax burden on residents of the state.
The clash intensified when DeSantis reaffirmed his goal of eliminating property taxes in a future constitutional amendment, while Pérez proposed reducing the state sales tax from 6% to 5.25%.
Both proposals aim at tax relief, but they differ significantly in their approach, scope, and feasibility.
DeSantis's vision: A long-term structural reform
At a press conference in Orlando alongside the Florida Association of Realtors, DeSantis reiterated his intention to include a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot that would allow for the elimination of property taxes in the state.
"Of all the taxes affecting Floridians, property taxes are the most significant [...] I can assure you that when people talk about taxes, 99% of the time they are referring to property taxes," said the governor.
According to DeSantis, the measure would directly benefit permanent residents of Florida.
"I want Canadian and Brazilian tourists to subsidize the state and for Florida residents to pay less taxes," he stated. "I do not want to give Canadians a tax reduction," he added.
If this amendment is approved, the governor estimates a savings of approximately $1,000 per household.
However, he did not present a concrete plan on how the loss of state revenues would be compensated, which has generated skepticism even within his own party.
Pérez's proposal: An immediate and pragmatic reduction
In contrast to DeSantis' ambitious vision, Danny Pérez has proposed a more immediate alternative: reducing the state sales tax from 6% to 5.25%.
In his opinion, this measure would have a direct impact on the wallets of Floridians and would represent an estimated annual savings of 5 billion dollars for taxpayers.
“A reduction in sales taxes would be something historic in the United States,” argued Pérez.
The proposal by Pérez has received support from other state legislators, such as Republican Representative Juan Carlos Porras, who believes that it is a “more realistic” proposal than that of the governor.
In his words, there are practical difficulties in implementing DeSantis's initiative without affecting the essential services that rely on the revenue generated from property taxes.
Public exchange of accusations
The tension between the two Republican leaders escalated when DeSantis posted a video on the social media platform X, directly criticizing the approach of the House of Representatives under Pérez's leadership.
In the video, the governor stated: “Floridians deserve action on issues such as the protection of medical freedom, strengthening laws against illegal immigration, relief for condominium residents facing rising costs, and a tax package focused on Florida that truly reduces property taxes.”
DeSantis's words were interpreted as an explicit dismissal of Pérez's proposal, intensifying the controversy between the executive and the state legislature.
A dispute with a history
According to Tomás Regalado, property appraiser for Miami-Dade County, these types of tensions between branches of state power "are not new."
In statements to America Tevé, Regalado emphasized that both proposals must be carefully evaluated and that “residents deserve relief regarding property taxes.”
Regalado also pointed out that, while it is commendable to seek ways to reduce the tax burden, it is essential to analyze the long-term impact of the proposed reforms, especially those that involve constitutional changes.
A dispute with political implications
Beyond the figures and percentages, this confrontation has a broader political backdrop.
DeSantis, with national ambitions and a growing presence in the Republican landscape, is betting on high-impact symbolic proposals, although difficult to implement without deep structural reforms.
Pérez, for his part, represents an emerging leadership within the party in Florida, with a focus on immediate and actionable measures.
Both positions reflect two distinct paths toward tax relief in the state: one ambitious and long-term, but uncertain; the other more conservative and focused on concrete results in the short term.
The discussion on how to relieve the tax burden in Florida remains ongoing, and the debate between DeSantis and Pérez highlights the internal tensions within the Republican Party.
While the governor is pushing for the complete elimination of property taxes through a constitutional amendment, the House Speaker is proposing a significant reduction in the sales tax that could be implemented more immediately.
Both proposals aim to ease the economic pressure on Floridians, but they represent differing views on the role of the state, fiscal planning, and the true extent of the reforms.
What is at stake is not only the tax model but also the leadership and political direction of the state in the coming years.
Frequently asked questions about the tax dispute between Ron DeSantis and Daniel Pérez in Florida
What is the main point of conflict between Ron DeSantis and Daniel Pérez in Florida?
The main point of contention between Ron DeSantis and Daniel Pérez is the approach to relieve the tax burden in Florida. DeSantis proposes eliminating property taxes through a constitutional amendment, while Pérez advocates for reducing the state sales tax from 6% to 5.25%. Both proposals aim to ease the burden on residents, but they differ in their approach and feasibility.
What benefits does Ron DeSantis propose with the elimination of property taxes?
Ron DeSantis proposes that eliminating property taxes would directly benefit Florida's permanent residents. The governor estimates savings of about $1,000 per household. However, he has not detailed how the loss of state revenue would be compensated, which has raised skepticism even within his own party.
What is Daniel Pérez's proposal to reduce taxes in Florida?
Daniel Pérez proposes a reduction of the state sales tax from 6% to 5.25%. This measure would represent an estimated annual savings of 5 billion dollars for taxpayers. Pérez believes that this proposal is more realistic and has an immediate impact compared to that of Governor DeSantis.
What are the criticisms and challenges associated with the proposal to eliminate property taxes in Florida?
The proposal to eliminate property taxes faces criticism as these are a primary source of funding for essential services such as education, public safety, and infrastructure maintenance. Dr. Esteban Santis warns that the challenge is how to replace that revenue without impacting the quality of life in the state. Additionally, the measure requires the approval of 60% of voters in a constitutional amendment.
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