Economists discuss possible impacts of eliminating property tax on governments large and small

As the Legislature explores the future of property taxes in the state, tensions continue to swirl around whether local governments manage money the way state lawmakers would like.

“We need to rename this ‘ Truth in Millage ’ and ‘ rollback rate ’ to something else, because there’s no truth and it doesn’t feel like anything rolls back,” said Rep. Yvette Benarroch , a Marco Island Republican.

It was a theme that came up as lawmakers received an hourslong briefing on the significance of property taxes to local governments of various sizes.

Rep. Toby Overdorf , a Palm City Republican who chairs the House Select Committee on Property Taxes, called the application and exclusion from certain tax exemptions unfair. He also noted that many homeowners can still see their own propert