Florida's Next Governor Faces Three Tests: Insurance, Property Taxes and Data Centers
Whether Republican Byron Donalds or Democrat David Jolly wins the Florida governor's race, the same three files will be waiting on the next governor's desk: homeowners insurance up 75% in five years, a property-tax amendment needing 60% voter approval, and 27 cities and counties that have hit pause on data centers. One hits wallets, one hits local budgets, and one hits the power grid. None can be dodged.
Premiums up 75% in five years, voters demand answers
Tallahassee claims reforms work, most policyholders disagree
A catastrophe fund versus tort reform, opposite prescriptions
The candidates' remedies point in opposite directions. Donalds says he would keep the DeSantis-era tort reforms and restructure the state's insurance regulation. Jolly proposes a state-backed catastrophe fund that strips hurricane and wind risk out of private policies; WGCU reports he estimates homeowner rates would fall 60% to 70%, leaving private insurers to cover fire, theft and similar non-wind losses. One side says never undo the reforms, the other wants a new machine entirely, and the choice will shape millions of household bills.
Amendment 3 needs 60%, outcome hangs on undecideds
The second test is Amendment 3, on the November 3 ballot. WUSF reports it needs at least 60% approval to pass, raising the homestead exemption on non-school taxes from about $51,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, indexed to inflation from 2029, while cutting the annual assessment-growth cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%. Gov. Ron DeSantis says it would wipe out non-school property taxes for about 60% of homesteaded owners and open a path to full elimination. A Florida Politics poll puts support at just 50%, leaving the outcome to undecided voters, while first responders warn of gutted local service budgets.
