The coming civil war over tax cuts in Florida

Driving the news: Lawmakers are weighing competing proposals to ease taxes for residents:

• A sales tax trim from 6% to 5.25% that House Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami) pitched.
• And ending property taxes altogether, which Gov. Ron DeSantis prefers.

Inside the room: House Democrats aren't opposed to the sales tax cut, but the idea needs support from the Senate to go anywhere. The Senate, meanwhile, also has the governor's property tax cut to consider. And it isn't likely to sign off on both.

• Senate President Ben Albritton said he's "open minded" to Perez's proposal. "I'm certainly not looking for conflict," he told Spectrum News. "I'm looking for the best policy for Floridians."
• Going along with Perez's proposal, though, would spark another showdown between the Legislature and the governor.

Friction point: DeSantis and his allies in the Legislature doubled down this week, arguing that property taxes should be the focus of any tax relief package.

• "We need a Florida first tax package that will reduce the No. 1 tax that is hurting Floridians, which is property tax," DeSantis said.

The big picture: Taxes in the Sunshine State are some of the most regressive in the country, where the lowest-income households spend the greatest proportion of their income on state and local taxes.

Between the lines: Slashing property taxes would ease the burden on current and prospective homeowners. Trimming the state's sales tax would provide savings for everyone.

• Residents would save around $5 billion each year with a smaller sales tax, and the cut would have less of an impact on local services, which are largely funded by property taxes.

What's next: Perez intends to file his bill next week.