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Florida Republicans are embroiled in a civil war — Gov. Ron DeSantis has excoriated state House leadership, accusing them of revolting against voters who sent them to the legislative chamber and pursuing a "swamp-centric agenda," while Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez has lambasted DeSantis, asserting that the governor has "become the swamp."
With massive majorities in both chambers of the legislature and control of the governorship, Republicans dominate the political landscape in the Sunshine State.
But in a recent post on X, the governor asserted that "the FL House leadership is at war with the voters who provided the supermajority in the first place."
"They do not want to see Florida continue on the conservative path," DeSantis told Fox News Digital during an interview on Wednesday. "They're doing things to empower the left."
"Republican voters are wondering, what the hell is going on in the Florida House of Representatives," he said.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference in Miami on April 10. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
"I think that what they're doing is a formula for Florida to return to becoming a swing state. The reason why we went from a purple state to a red state under my tenure is because we drew sharp contrasts with the left and we defeated the left on issue after issue," DeSantis declared.
"The House is run based on fear and retribution," he said.
Perez, a Republican, pushed back in a lengthy statement provided to Fox News Digital on Friday morning.
"Unfortunately, what we’ve seen in Florida is a Governor who’s turned into exactly what he promised to fight — he’s become the swamp. His latest attacks are nothing more than a distraction from the gross financial mismanagement happening under his watch. We're talking about thousands of missing state vehicles, $160 million unaccounted for at AHCA [Florida Agency for Health Care Administration], and a growing list of problems across agencies and boards — all controlled by the Governor," Perez declared in the statement.
"While the Florida House remains the most conservative body in the Legislature — passing a budget billions lower than the Governor’s, approving larger tax cuts than the Governor, and pushing bold conservative policies like repealing gun laws and passing E-Verify — the Governor seems uninterested in a conservative Legislature. He wants a compliant one. After seven years in office, it’s clear he doesn't want people asking hard questions, especially after neglecting his duties while running for president," he continued.
"We are proud to advance conservative reforms, but we won’t cover up mismanagement of taxpayer dollars. The Governor’s comments about retribution are deeply hypocritical. His entire governing style is based on fear and intimidation — if you don’t do what he says or have a difference of opinion he views that as treason. All he does is attack people who disagree with him. I’ve repeatedly indicated my willingness to work with the Governor and all he’s done is insult and attack Members of the House," Perez added.
SUNSHINE STATE DEM ANNOUNCES SWITCH TO NO AFFILIATION: ‘DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN FLORIDA IS DEAD’
GOP Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, center, listens as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers his State of the State address during the first day of the legislative session at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida, on March 4. (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
DeSantis — a former U.S. congressman who was a House Freedom Caucus founding member — notched a dominant gubernatorial re-election victory in 2022.
He mounted a presidential bid in 2023, but ultimately dropped out and endorsed Donald Trump in 2024 after Trump, a GOP juggernaut, scored a huge win in the Iowa GOP presidential caucus.
Before he leaves office, the governor wants a constitutional amendment to lower, or even abolish, property taxes, placed before voters.
"Property taxes are local, not state. So we’d need to do a constitutional amendment (requires 60% of voters to approve) to eliminate them (which I would support) or even to reform/lower them," DeSantis noted earlier this year in a post on X.
"We should put the boldest amendment on the ballot that has a chance of getting that 60%," he noted, adding, "I agree that taxing land/property is the more oppressive and ineffective form of taxation."
The governor explained to Fox News Digital that "the philosophical underpinning is, do you have private property or not?"
He noted that if someone owns property outright but still has to pay property taxes, "you're basically paying rent … to the government."
DeSantis pointed out that property taxes "basically tax unrealized gains," commensurate with increased property value assessments by local government.
"And so you have to pay taxes at a higher basis, even though you never sold the house for that much. There's never been a market transaction that says your house is worth that much," he said.
ABOLISH PROPERTY TAXES? DESANTIS ENDORSES THE IDEA AND EXPLAINS HOW IT COULD BE DONE IN FLORIDA
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference in Miami on April 10. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The governor is committed to seeing a property tax proposal presented to voters before he leaves office.
DeSantis indicated that if he feels the state legislature would not consider putting the matter before voters, a citizens' initiative could be the path to get it on the ballot. But that would require the collection of vast quantities of signatures, and the governor suggested that it would be easier if the legislature acts, though he does not know that lawmakers will do so.
"Why would we not … just do it, right?" he said after noting the GOP's dominance in the state legislature.
"I think that they've just taken the position that they really don't give a damn in the Florida House what their voters think," he declared.
Perez said in his statement to Fox News Digital, "As for property taxes, the Governor introduced the topic months ago, yet has failed to offer a plan, language, or even a basic explanation. Property taxes in Florida are controlled at the local level, but if he wants to bring a constitutional proposal forward, the House is ready to put it on the floor tomorrow. This Legislature has debated bold reforms to property taxes for two decades.
"The truth about late-term Ron DeSantis is that he talks a big game but waits for others to do the work. [Georgia Gov. Brian] Kemp opened his state first after COVID — Ron took credit. [Texas Gov. Greg] Abbott led on immigration — Ron took credit. It’s no different here. If he truly wants action, he should do the work, not just hold empty press conferences."
FLORIDA GOVERNOR SPOTLIGHTS TIMELY GOLF OUTING HE AND CASEY DESANTIS HAD WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., shakes hands with former President Donald Trump during the Moms for Liberty Joyful Warriors national summit at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown in Philadelphia on June 30, 2023. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
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DeSantis, who is currently serving his second term, is not eligible to run again in 2026, and Trump has already endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., in the gubernatorial contest.
Asked by Fox News Digital whether he thinks he will make an endorsement in the race, the governor indicated that he will be "involved," but noted that it's still quite early in the election season.
DeSantis suggested that the state House has shown in recent months that Florida's "success is very fragile."
Alex Nitzberg is a writer for Fox News Digital.
