Senator warns property-tax elimination could create $50–60 billion state funding gap

At a public listening session in Opelika, State Senator Chevron Jones told residents that proposals to eliminate property taxes at the state level could create a $50 billion to $60 billion funding shortfall and that local governments would face significant disruption if a replacement revenue plan is not identified.

Jones said, "If the state of Florida eliminates property taxes, there's a 50 to $60,000,000,000 gap that even the economists who think this is also a bad idea does not know where the state of Florida gonna fill that gap at." He warned that local services funded by property taxes—police, fire, schools, water and other municipal services—would be affected and urged residents not to be misled by campaign messaging that frames elimination as purely a cost-saving measure for households.

Why it matters: Jones described the proposal as a constitution-change resolution that would require voter action if it reaches the ballot. He said that, in the legislative process, such ideas typically start as resolutions in the chambers and that a replacement revenue plan has to be identified before implementation.

Supporting details: Jones referenced legislative skepticism from both parties, including a noted Republican senator who is asking replacement-revenue questions. He said the proposal could be advanced as a ballot resolution and that if passed it could shift the funding responsibility for core services to the state without a clear plan.

What’s next: Jones said residents should ask detailed questions about how essential services would be funded and that he hopes the resolution will not advance in committee. He encouraged constituent engagement before session so lawmakers hear community concerns.