Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R-FL) reaffirmed his support for repealing property taxes in line with Gov. Ron DeSantis during a recent interview with CBS News Miami's Jim Defede.
"I agree with the governor that we need to repeal homestead property taxes. Property taxes in our state, especially for Floridians, have doubled in the last decade. In the last 5 years, local government budgets have grown massively out of control," Donalds told Jim Defede.
Gov. DeSantis pledged a plan to eliminate property taxes on personal homes in Florida back in September. Since then, the Florida House of Representatives has passed a plan to have the issue on the November 2026 ballot, but its status in the Florida Senate remains cloudy.
As that gets sorted out, Rep. Donalds praised Gov. DeSantis and Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia for their work in "DOGE-ing" counties and municipalities for wasteful and excessive spending. He also vowed to continue the effort if elected governor in November.
"The DOGE-ing efforts that the CFO and the governor are doing right now are critical for the future of our state. We are going to continue those DOGE-ing efforts, and it's gonna be for every form of government in the state of Florida, including the state of Florida and state agencies," Donalds said.
Rep. Donalds is looking to succeed Gov. DeSantis, although the governor has yet to endorse him in the race. While the pair have had a lukewarm relationship in the past, a repeal appears to be one issue they can agree on.
It's also a top issue for many Floridians.
"Everybody has to be examined. Everybody's gotta tighten their belts. Because the people in our state, those that are working hard every single day, are seniors trying to keep their Florida dream alive, and our young people who are trying to get into the Florida dream," Donalds said. "They don't have the cash. We have to do this."
Donalds remained cognizant that his trajectory would not interfere with critical essential services, including those for police and firefighters, as well as state infrastructure.
"The key is how do you cut these budgets while making sure that sheriffs still get paid, the deputies still get paid, that firefighters still get paid, you take care of road, you take care of land management issues," Donalds concluded.
