However You Slice It, Its Still Boloney

Nothing excites me more than the idea of lowering taxes. That said, nothing frightens me more than the government saying, “Just trust us.” And that is precisely what we hear coming out of Tallahassee.

The idea of eliminating property taxes paints a picture of freedom that most of us believe naturally aligns with property rights. Then there are the logistical challenges of government and the realities of funding our way of life that disprove the utopian idea of living completely free from the burden of taxes. We are indentured servants to this societal structure of governance. The government will get its pound of flesh no matter where it comes from.

Now do the math. Who benefits most from eliminating property taxes in Florida? What’s the ultimate goal if the situation is a zero-sum game? If I save a dollar, then someone else pays a dollar. Do we know who that is? Is it you? If we’re not shrinking government and saving money, then why do it?

Developers and homeowners with multimillion-dollar estates will see a windfall. Out-of-state interest will find owning property in Florida even more appealing. And yet, the revenue that property taxes currently provide to fund schools, police, fire departments, and basic infrastructure will still need to be replaced. That means a heavier reliance on sales taxes, fees, and other regressive forms of revenue collection.

The result? A tax structure that merely shifts the weight. It’s clever politics, wrapped in the language of freedom and fairness, but it risks becoming little more than a transfer of responsibility onto local working families and small businesses.

Such a policy could also destabilize some counties that rely heavily on property taxes for predictable, stable funding. Schools, fire departments, and law enforcement cannot operate on the volatility of sales-tax collections alone. The long-term consequence is not less government, but rather a government that is more cash-strapped, less reliable, and ultimately more burdensome on local communities.

If leaders want to overhaul the tax system, then they owe us more than rosy language and campaign slogans. They owe us transparent numbers, clear plans for essential services, and proof that the burden won’t simply be shuffled downward. Tax reform should bring clarity and fairness, not just a new shell game.

If this is truly about freedom, then let’s demand the freedom that comes from accountability, honesty, and a tax system that works for everyone, not just the powerful few.