Rick Scott Vetoes Tax Exemption, Argues Would Raise Taxes on Some Military Families

On Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott vetoed a bill creating an ad valorem tax exemption regarding federal lands and military housing. The Senate bill was sponsored by Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, while the House version was sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City.

This bill provides that the ad valorem property tax exemption for property owned by the federal government extends to any leasehold interest of and improvements affixed to land owned by the federal government, if the leasehold interest and improvements are acquired or constructed and used pursuant to the U.S. Military Housing Privatization Initiative of 1996, Scott wrote in his veto letter released on Wednesday evening. The exemption only applies to leasehold interests and improvements that are used to provide housing for persons on active duty in the military or their dependents.

While the bill, as originally filed, was well-intentioned, a floor amendment may have had the unintended consequence of imposing property taxes on portions of housing developments on federal military installations that are currently fully exempt from such taxation, Scott added. This will hurt Floridas military installations, which are essential to the economic vitality of our local communities and our state. I strongly oppose any increase in taxes, especially those associated with the provision of housing for our military families.