Jacksonville is preparing for a contentious 2026 as conflicts with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state leaders center on the city’s budget, property taxes and the limits of local authority.
DeSantis and Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia have publicly called Jacksonville’s spending “wasteful” and directed the state’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to audit and pressure local governments to cut millage rates and reduce budgets.
RELATED: Jacksonville City Council VP addresses budget concerns raised by DeSantis and CFO Ingoglia
State leaders are also backing a 2026 ballot initiative that would significantly cut or eliminate property taxes — a move proponents say will relieve homeowners but that city officials warn could “decimate” funding for police, fire and infrastructure.
RELATED: State lawmakers give green light to 7 property tax amendments. What this could mean for Jacksonville
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, a Democrat, frames the state’s actions as “constant partisan attacks,” arguing they distract from urgent local needs such as affordable housing and rising health care costs.
The Legislature’s pattern of preemption — already used to nullify local tenant-protection ordinances — further constrains Jacksonville’s ability to tailor policies on housing, environment and economic development.
While Tallahassee has sometimes funded high-profile infrastructure needs (for example, JaxPort-related projects), many community-focused programs favored by the mayor have faced line-item vetoes or limited support.
Why this matters
This dispute goes beyond politics and affects how everyday services are delivered and who controls local priorities.
Reducing property-tax revenue risks forcing the city to cut essential services (police, fire, stormwater, roads) or shift costs into fees that hit low- and middle-income residents hardest.
State preemption narrows the range of policy tools available to address local problems — from tenant protections to environmental safeguards — and sets a precedent that could weaken home rule across Florida.
The balance of power decided in 2026 will shape Jacksonville’s fiscal stability, public safety, housing affordability, and the city’s capacity to respond to unique community needs for years to come.
Government law attorney and government efficiency expert Chris Hand joins me on this week’s episode of “Politics & Power” to discuss the upcoming Florida legislative session and more.
Watch at 7 p.m. or 9 p.m. Tuesday on News4JAX+ or catch it any time on demand on News4JAX+, News4JAX.com or our YouTube channel.