William March/Florida Trident

While most states have regressive tax structures, Florida is the most regressive. And low income Florida families pay almost five times as large a percentage of their income as the wealthy in state and local taxes, a study says.

Eliminating property taxes would make Florida’s 'worst in the U.S.' regressive system even worse

Florida’s state and local tax structure makes Florida an excellent place to be an affluent retiree or a wealthy investor, but not so great for working families or young couples starting out.

Fiscally-constrained Okeechobee County is dominated by water conservation land.

Government & Politics

For these Florida counties, eliminating property taxes would mean ‘a dismemberment of vital services’

William March/Florida Trident

Local government officials statewide are wary of plans by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Legislature to slash or abolish homestead property taxes, but one group of counties is particularly worried. They are Florida’s “fiscally constrained” counties: 29 mostly rural counties with small populations, few industries and lots of agricultural or conservation land — and therefore small tax bases.

Florida lawmakers are pursuing property tax reforms and relief for homeowners, while Gov. Ron DeSantis is portraying the issue as urgent.

Government & Politics

Property tax crisis or a solution in search of a problem?

William March/Florida Trident

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says homestead property taxes are a severe burden on Florida homeowners and wants to abolish them, regardless of the potentially devastating effects on local government budgets.The Florida Legislature has been working to accommodate him.

Investigation

Takeovers: New College of Florida could expand while other public universities lose land and space

William March/Florida Trident

Since the overhaul of New College of Florida in 2023, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’s administration is now moving toward a potential expansion for the tiny public liberal arts college in Sarasota, by taking over educational and cultural facilities from other state universities.DeSantis aims to have the school take over the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, which is adjacent to the school but run by Florida State University.