TALLAHASSEE- The Florida House of Representatives today took the next step toward approving real and immediate property tax relief for Florida homeowners and small business owners.  Offering $5.5 Billion in property tax relief, House Bill 7001 by Representative Frank Attkisson (R-St. Cloud) was approved by the Policy & Budget Council this afternoon. Every Republican and three Democrats on the Council voted for property tax relief.

 

This legislation is the first part of a comprehensive tax relief package being offered by House leaders.  Specifically, this legislation will roll back local millage rates to levels seen in 2000 / 2001 and adjusted forward for inflation plus growth, resulting in an average savings of 18% for homeowners throughout the state. 

 

“Florida families are seeing their dream of homeownership slip away as property taxes have skyrocketed.  They are being forced to decide what to cut next in their family budgets so that they can pay their tax bills.  Our vote today says enough is enough.  That has to change,” said Majority Leader Marty Bowen (R-Haines City).   

 

Today’s vote signals House leaders’ commitment towards moving forward with their plan to provide across-the-board property tax relief.  With the Council’s vote, the bill will now move to the House floor for final approval.

 

According to Policy & Budget Council Chairman Ray Sansom (R-Destin), “The Florida House is on its way to providing broad based tax relief to Florida’s families and small business owners.  I am proud of the members of the council who have voted in favor of fiscal responsibility and to curb runaway local government spending.”

 

The problem of out-of-control property taxes has been debated for years, culminating in a statewide series of hearings where House and Senate members heard from thousands of Floridians who talked about the impact that property taxes are having on their families and small businesses. 

 

Rep. Attkisson, who has championed property tax relief for several years, said, “As I traveled the state over the past two months, I heard from thousands of homeowners and small business owners who talked about how they were struggling with the burden of property taxes.  Seniors trapped in their homes by property taxes.  Small businesses owners who have to lay off employees so they can pay their property taxes.  It’s become clear that property taxes are smothering our state’s economy and are impacting Florida’s families.” 

 

Amendments were adopted to the House Tax Relief plan to exempt hospital districts and fiscally constrained counties from the millage rollbacks.  School districts were already held exempt under the plan.  The Relief Plan now moves to the House Floor for consideration by the entire House.