Florida Republicans want Jacksonville to cut taxes and waste as a budget battle increased the spotlight on the city council.
Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico and Democratic Mayor Donna Deegan have feuded over the mayor’s proposed $2 billion budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, up from last year.
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power recently joined city council members to demand accountability for what they called the city’s bloated budget and wasteful spending. The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) said it supports conservatives in Jacksonville who want fiscal responsibility and a reduction in the property tax rate.
Florida Republicans attacked “Liberals like Donna Deegan” saying the Democrats oppose a cut, costing residents money and putting a strain on families. RPOF Chairman Power said conservatives will not stand idly by as government waste runs amok. Governor Ron DeSantis has said the same thing, and Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia is leading a DOGE audit in the state.
“Get your scissors out because the waste is being cut in Jacksonville,” Evan Power said. “The waste in Jacksonville is not a hologram. It’s almost as if liberal mayors like Donna Degan want to run their cities into the ground. The budget is inflated and increasing beyond what any family can afford. From DEI initiatives, abortion, and money for illegals, here is significant waste that Mayor Deegan can’t hide. It’s time to cut taxes and cut waste to save Jacksonvillians’ hard-earned money.”
Republicans said the Jacksonville Mayor’s proposed budget increase for the 2025-2026 fiscal year exceeds the inflation rate, marking the second straight year of spending growth over 7%. The Republican Party noted that this rate of growth is “unsustainable and will cost taxpayers far more money in the long run.” Democrats argue the budget is prioritizing investments in social programs and public safety that are needed and necessary.
Florida Republicans are demanding local governments looking at what waste can be found in their budget. They argue that some local property tax revenues increased by over 50% in some counties and home values and tax bills have skyrocketed, straining hard-working Floridians and families.
“If you look at any of these county budgets over the last five years, they’ve had a windfall of money. I commend leaders like City Council President Kevin Carrico and Councilmembers Nick Howland, Raul Arias, and Terrance Freeman for fighting to cut waste and restore Jacksonville’s budget to focus on real priorities, not Mayor Deegan’s liberal wish list,” RPOF Chair Evan Power said.
