
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — State lawmakers returned to Tallahassee this week with affordability concerns top of mind, as they gear up for next session.
Both Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate are aiming to tackle what many are calling an affordability crisis here in the state.
As the governor continues to push for property tax reform, democrats are asking, what about tackling property insurance first?
It's Gov. Ron DeSantis' final term in office, and as he makes his way into his last session, a priority at the top of his wish list is getting a property tax proposal on the November 2026 ballot.
"People are getting pinched on property taxes in this state," DeSantis said.
The House Select Committee on property taxes is slowly making its way toward pitching several proposals before the first week of session in January.
For Democrats like House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, these efforts could cause more harm to Floridians.
"What I hope is that common sense will prevail because the harm that these proposals would cause would not outweigh any potential benefits," Driskell said. "And listen, I get it, we're in an affordability crisis, but to me, this all seems to be a distraction that the Republicans are creating to avoid having to deal with their failed record on the property insurance crisis."
Senate Democrats agree. Chamber Minority Leader Lori Berman, D-Boca Raton, said there are fears of having enough funding for schools and first responders.
"Property insurance on the other hand, actually goes directly into our pocketbooks and is not going to affect those items," Berman said. "This is where we should be focusing right now, as opposed to the property tax issue."
Another concern on lawmakers minds is how this could impact funding in rural counties.
"We'd basically be putting them in a situation where they would be living in a welfare state," Driskell said. "They would be funded by larger counties, they wouldn't have the resources to basically fund their own services. This is not how Florida is set up to work. We need to focus on real solutions, and I think the real challenge is property insurance."
However, DeSantis said fears over impacts to the states 32 fiscally constrained counties is something he can handle.
"Don't let anyone tell you in the rural or any of the fiscally constrained that somehow you're not going to be able to pay police or any of that, like no," DeSantis said. "I can do all 32 of those."
With the question of whether to prioritize property insurance or property taxes looming over the state capitol, some lawmakers said they can walk and chew gum at the same time, planning to take on both issues next session.