JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Florida Republican lawmakers have put a spotlight on reducing or eliminating property taxes lately. Still, a new UNF poll of Florida Republican voters reveals their top concern is the cost of property insurance. <\/p>\n
20 percent of Republican voters in Florida list property tax costs as their top issue, according to a new UNF poll<\/b><\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n Despite efforts to address the issue in recent years, UNF political science professor Dr. Michael Binder argued the poll suggests voters aren\u2019t satisfied with the results.<\/p>\n >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <\/b><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cCosts that 20 years ago were negligible and now they\u2019re a sizable commitment. You know, thousands upon thousands of dollars,\u201d said Binder.<\/p>\n But, Mark Friedlander with the Insurance Information Institute noted Florida\u2019s insurance marketplace is healthier than it\u2019s been in a decade, with 14 new companies entering the market over the past two years.<\/p>\n \u201c1.75 percent was the average premium increase in Florida last year,\u201d said Friedlander.<\/p>\n Rates may be stabilizing, but Friedlander argued they aren\u2019t likely to return to prices seen before the pandemic due to increased construction costs and rising property values.<\/p>\n He cautioned against any legislative moves such as rate freezes or mandated reductions.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll cause market turmoil and start the next risk crisis,\u201d said Friedlander.<\/p>\n [DOWNLOAD: <\/b>Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks<\/b><\/a>]<\/b><\/p>\n While property insurance topped Republican voters\u2019 list of concerns, it was just one of three housing affordability concerns on the survey.<\/p>\n 48 percent of respondents listed either housing costs, property insurance, or property taxes as their top concern.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are starting to see some relief in some parts of the state. We just need more of it and we need it right away,\u201d said State Representative Dean Black (R-Yulee).<\/p>\n Black serves on the special committee looking into lowering or eliminating property taxes.<\/p>\n He argued it\u2019s the most direct option available to lawmakers to improve housing affordability.<\/p>\n [SIGN UP: <\/b>Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter<\/b><\/a>]<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cThere will have to be some form of revenue replacement, but we do not want people to be in perpetual servitude to the government over their homes, and we\u2019re going to continue to work on that, and I think we will come up with solutions,\u201d said Black.<\/p>\n Friedlander advised that the best option available to Floridians to reduce their property insurance rates right now is simply to shop around.<\/p>\n With more companies writing policies, he argued, Floridians have more affordable options available to them. <\/b><\/p>\n Click here<\/b><\/a> to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, <\/b>click here<\/b><\/a> to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and <\/b>click here<\/b><\/a> to stream Action News Jax live.<\/b><\/p>\n Action News Jax Top Stories<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Florida Republican lawmakers have put a spotlight on reducing or eliminating property taxes lately. 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