Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner is urging state lawmakers to convene a special session before Christmas to roll back property taxes to 2024 levels, saying residents need immediate relief.

Renner, who is running for governor in 2026, wants lawmakers to order counties to return to the tax rates that existed in 2024 through legislative action, which he says could be accomplished in days. Under his proposal, residents would pay the same amount they paid in 2024.

The proposal comes as Florida lawmakers debate multiple approaches to property tax reform. The Florida House has advanced seven different proposals ranging from complete elimination of non-school property taxes to targeted breaks for seniors. Governor Ron DeSantis has criticized the House package and has pitched his own plan to eliminate homestead property taxes entirely, though details remain limited.

Renner argues his rollback approach would provide quicker relief than waiting for a constitutional amendment. Any ballot measure wouldn’t take effect until November 2027, which Renner says is too late for struggling homeowners.

Democrats oppose major property tax cuts, warning they could force cuts to police, fire departments, and other local services. House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell called the current property tax system fair and said lawmakers should focus instead on property insurance reform.

The regular legislative session begins January 13. Neither House Speaker Danny Perez nor Senate President Ben Albritton has indicated whether lawmakers will hold a special session on the issue.

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