House Speaker Daniel Perez used remarks before business leaders to lay down clear markers at the start of the 2026 Legislative Session.
Speaking at the Florida Chamber’s 2026 Legislative Fly-In, the Miami Republican said his chamber will approach spending conservatively, protect core state responsibilities and resist sweeping property tax changes unless the math behind them adds up.
“I don’t know what bills will pass. I don’t know what the Senate’s going to take. I don’t know what the Governor is going to veto,” Perez said. “But what we do control is the budget.”
Perez said the House intends to cut the budget again this year, arguing that years of revenue growth have masked long-term structural concerns. While Florida continues to carry large reserves, he warned that prior Legislatures have also spent aggressively during good years, leaving the state vulnerable if conditions change.
“The future of the state of Florida, although I think it’s prosperous, I don’t think it’s as rainbow and butterfly-ish as people think. We have been so accustomed to seeing our revenues surpass all projections … and what did we do with that extra money? Well, everyone before me has spent it,” Perez said.
The Speaker emphasized during his Tuesday talk that restraint does not mean abandoning essential services. Education and health care, which together account for more than half of the state budget, remain core responsibilities of government.
Perez singled out services for people with developmental disabilities as a particular priority, describing the current waitlist for care as unacceptable. “These are people that are truly the voiceless. There shouldn’t be people on a waitlist who can’t go out and help themselves.”
While Perez signaled openness to continued tax relief — including another tax package that will be hashed out late in the Session — his sharpest comments focused on property taxes, a centerpiece of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ public messaging this year.
Perez said Floridians are asking for property tax relief and noted that the House is advancing seven separate proposals through the committee process. But he made clear that eliminating or dramatically reducing property taxes without a concrete replacement plan is a nonstarter.
“When you say abolish all property taxes, you’re including the $21 billion that funds our education system,” Perez said. “Tell me how to do it. I’m in. Where are the $21 billion?”
Perez rejected using state reserves as a substitute for recurring funds and dismissed the idea of offsetting property tax cuts by slashing education funding.
“It’s just the reality, the world we live in — use the rainy-day fund for a rainy day, not for Black Hawk helicopters or private jets,” he said. “Taxes are important so that we can actually run a government that helps the people. Part of that is education. Part of that is health care. Those are necessities. There’s wanting and then there’s needing. You need to have education.”
Perez said progress on property taxes depends on details that have yet to materialize from DeSantis’ Office, but that the House stands ready to have the conversation “the moment the Governor decides how he wants to move forward, with details.”
The post Daniel Perez draws line on property taxes, presses Gov. DeSantis for details appeared first on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..