Governor DeSantis and Florida lawmakers are considering a dangerous plan to eliminate property taxes—without any clear replacement for the billions those taxes currently provide to fund our public schools.

If this plan goes forward, Central Florida’s school districts alone stand to lose billions of dollars. That includes $1.5 billion in Orange County, nearly half the budgets in Seminole, Osceola, and Lake counties, and countless other communities across the state.

This isn’t just a funding issue. It’s a direct threat to the future of Florida’s children. Property taxes are how we pay teachers, run school buses, maintain safe buildings, and offer vital programs that help kids learn and thrive. Stripping that money away—with no guaranteed backup plan—would lead to overcrowded classrooms, mass layoffs of school staff, and the erosion of a public education system that families across Florida rely on every day.

It’s already harder than ever to run a public school in this state. Private school voucher programs are growing fast, while public school enrollment and state per-student funding continue to decline. Now we’re facing the possibility of losing the one stable source of funding our schools still have—all to score political points.

The voters of Florida deserve real tax reform that lifts people up without tearing schools down. But this plan does neither. It’s reckless, irresponsible, and it will hurt children and families in every community.

We call on the Florida Legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis to immediately halt any attempt to eliminate or slash property taxes until a clear, fully funded alternative is presented—one that protects every public school district in Florida.

Our children’s education is not optional. Their future deserves better than this.

Sign now to demand Florida leaders protect our public schools.