INTERNACIONAL
Florida and Texas are battling for new residents. DeSantis thinks he found an advantage
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Florida and Texas have for years attracted Americans feeling high-tax, high-cost states with an absence of personal income tax and business-friendly policies. Now, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is betting that reducing property taxes could become the Sunshine State’s next competitive advantage.
The stakes extend well beyond Florida.
The competition for new residents translates directly to political influence, with population growth affecting everything from congressional representation to Electoral College votes.
TAX-WEARY AMERICANS FLEE BLUE STATES FOR REPUBLICAN-LED SOUTHERN HAVENS
As Americans continue relocating to southern states in search of affordability amid a bubbling economic crisis, the latest proposal in Florida could become a test of whether low-tax states can further widen their advantage over higher-tax rivals.
Supporters argue it would strengthen Florida’s appeal to homeowners, retirees and businesses while giving it a new edge over competitors like fellow red state Texas. Critics counter that any tax savings must eventually be offset through spending cuts, higher fees or alternative revenue sources, making Florida a potential case study in both the promise and the pitfalls of aggressive tax reduction.
The governor is backing a constitutional amendment that would dramatically expand Florida’s homestead exemption, potentially lowering tax bills for millions of homeowners.
Under the proposal, Florida’s existing $50,000 homestead exemption would increase to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028. In practice, the exemption reduces the portion of a home’s value that is subject to taxation, lowering the tax bill for qualifying homeowners.
For homeowners, that could translate to meaningful tax savings. For local governments, however, it would mean collecting substantially less revenue from one of their largest funding sources.
That tension between tax relief and government funding is at the heart of the debate.
THE RED STATES RACING AHEAD IN AMERICA’S POWERFUL WEALTH BOOM — AND THE STATES FALLING BEHIND
The proposed constitutional amendment would significantly increase Florida’s homestead property tax exemption beginning in 2027. (John Greim/LightRocket/Getty Images)
State analysts estimate the measure could reduce local government revenue by more than $8.4 billion annually, raising questions about how cities and counties would make up the difference.
Backers say the proposal would provide relief to homeowners at a time when many Floridians are grappling with rising housing costs, insurance premiums and inflation. Critics, however, warn that property taxes help fund many of the local services residents rely on every day.
«While the idea of eliminating the property tax sounds appealing, it’s important to remember the local services those tax dollars provide,» Nicole Fox, a policy analyst with the Center for State Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation, told Fox News Digital.
«The quality of a community’s schools and roads, as well as the safety of a community, are important both for quality of life and contributing to the value of one’s home,» she added.
Fox noted that the proposal would eventually eliminate roughly 36% of homestead property taxes and argued that a reduction of that magnitude would likely require some form of replacement revenue.
AMERICANS KEEP MOVING TO TEXAS AND FLORIDA — BUT ONE OTHER RED STATE IS GROWING EVEN FASTER
«When you are talking about 36% of homestead property taxes eventually being eliminated, there must be a plan for at least some degree of revenue replacement,» Fox said. «Currently that plan is unknown.»
Fox, who recently co-authored a Tax Foundation analysis of the Florida proposal, argued the measure could shift the tax burden onto businesses, renters and property owners who do not qualify for the homestead exemption.
«It would do so through less stable revenue sources that could alter consumer behaviors and negatively impact businesses, as well as shift the burden to those who do not qualify for the homestead exemption,» Fox said.
ONE SOUTHERN CITY YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF IS GROWING FASTER THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN AMERICA
Florida’s latest property tax debate comes as the state continues to attract new residents from across the country. (Sven Hoppe/Picture Alliance/Getty Images)
Florida already has «a very competitive tax structure,» Fox added, but warned that «this drastic restructure risks significant uncertainty and economic harm.»
Whether voters ultimately embrace the proposal remains an open question. The constitutional amendment must receive support from at least 60% of voters to take effect.
If approved, supporters argue it could cement Florida’s status as one of the nation’s most attractive destinations for homeowners and businesses, potentially giving it a new advantage over competitors like Texas and South Carolina.
Population shifts, should they continue, could carry hefty political consequences in future elections as faster-growing states gain influence over who is in power in their state houses and Washington. (Slim Aarons/Getty Images)
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If critics are right, however, the proposal could become a test case for whether billions of dollars in property tax relief can be delivered without shifting costs elsewhere.
Either way, the debate unfolding in Florida is being watched closely as states compete for residents, businesses and investment in an increasingly mobile America.
taxes, ron desantis, florida, texas, property, economy, housing
INTERNACIONAL
Venezuela anunció su salida de la Corte Penal Internacional y Estados Unidos felicitó al gobierno de Delcy Rodríguez
Por qué Venezuela dejó la CPI y el pedido de dos ONG para rever la situación
La relación de Estados Unidos con la Corte Penal Internacional
SPLC director grilled on alleged fraud and paying extremists
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, accuses the Southern Poverty Law Center of fraud and hypocrisy. Jordan states the SPLC, working with the Biden Justice Department, saw donations jump from $51 million to $133 million in one year, exploiting events like the Charlottesville rally to mislead donors.
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Months before losing re-election, former Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., touted the work of her non-profit to donors even though records indicate the organization may have never been registered as a tax-exempt organization.
Bush described Poltivist Power Inc. as «a new 501(c)(4) organization uniting grassroots organizing with political strategy to fight oppression,» in a fundraising email.
«My team and I are on the ground, and we could use your support. Can we count on you to donate to our tornado fund today so we can continue our relief efforts?» Bush wrote.
STACEY ABRAMS HIT WITH SUBPOENA IN ALLEGED CAMPAIGN FINANCE VIOLATIONS SAGA: ‘NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW’
Former Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., attends a news conference in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Allison Robbert/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Bush made the same characterization in a second fundraising email sent weeks later.
But Fox News Digital could not identify any IRS record showing Poltivist Power had obtained or claimed tax-exempt status. While not proof of wrongdoing, the lack of a paper trail for Bush’s organization raises questions about whether the former «Squad» member misled donors during her time in office.
Without reporting, it’s unclear how much the group fundraised.
Bush, who first arrived to Congress in 2021, was known for her progressive stances that grouped her with fellow Democrats like Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.
Among them, Bush began taking a critical view of the U.S. relationship with Israel amid its protracted war with Hamas in Gaza. Her criticisms became a centerpiece topic in her 2024 primary against Democratic challenger Wesley Bell — a race she lost.
Now out of office, Bush has remained involved in progressive politics in her local scene.
When approached about Poltivist Power Inc., Bush did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital on whether Poltivist Power had received donations, on why it hadn’t yet reported a 990 and about the nature of its activities.
The organization’s domain, Poltivistpower.com, was first purchased on April 1, 2025, records show. Bush announced the creation of the group shortly after a tornado struck the St. Louis area, killing at least four people and causing widespread damage.
‘SQUAD’ DEM DISMISSES FRAUD PROBE SPECULATION AFTER $29M NET-WORTH DROP
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 22: Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., speaks to reporters after a House vote on Capitol Hill on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
«The Politivist team is on the ground, providing supplies, checking on families, and showing up for those who’ve been left behind,» Bush said.
Since then, in addition to not having a filing recorded with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the group seem to have wrongly filed paperwork with Delaware’s Department of State and with ActBlue Civics, a fundraising site for Democratic groups.
In its March 2025 Delaware incorporation filing, Poltivist Power was registered as an «exempt» corporation, a designation Delaware says is reserved for entities that meet the requirements of Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code.
In both cases, the application requires tax-exempt status with the IRS. The organization is still listed on ActBlue Civics.
Notably, Bush’s fundraising emails, in which she highlighted the organization, also included a disclaimer clarifying that «Contributions to Politivist Power are not affiliated with Politivist Action PAC and are not political donations.» The note distinguishes the non-profit from a dedicated fundraising group by the same name.
Despite Bush’s departure from Congress, enough anomalies about Politivist Power have surfaced to catch the attention of Missouri Attorney General Catherine L. Hanaway earlier this month.
She announced her office would look into whether Bush had personally benefited from her fundraising efforts during the tornado recovery and the work that Politivist allegedly did at the time.
«The investigation started when a local news station reported that people had reported to it that contributions they had made for a tornado relief fund had actually gone to her political activity,» Hanaway said in a statement about the investigation.
FIRST ON FOX: ACTBLUE BOARD MEMBERS IN HOT SEAT AS GOP PROBES ‘SERIOUS’ MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS
TK (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
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«We do not have our own evidence of that, but that is what we are investigating,» she added.
Bush has not been formally charged with any wrongdoing.
the squad, congress, politics
INTERNACIONAL
Un reporte rutinario destapó la red que manipuló el sistema tributario panameño por más de $40 millones
Lo que comenzó como una revisión rutinaria para mejorar un reporte interno de recaudación terminó destapando uno de los mayores casos de presunta manipulación del sistema tributario panameño.
Un informe técnico elaborado por la Dirección General de Ingresos (DGI) revela que fueron una serie de inconsistencias, omisiones y patrones repetitivos los que llevaron a descubrir una estructura que, según las investigaciones, habría generado un perjuicio superior a $40 millones mediante el sistema E-Tax 2.0.
El documento, que sirvió de base para la investigación penal conocida como Operación Pandora, permite reconstruir las nueve principales señales de alerta que despertaron las sospechas de los auditores y que posteriormente dieron paso a allanamientos, órdenes de captura y procesos judiciales contra funcionarios y particulares.
La primera señal surgió casi por accidente. Mientras la Sección de Agentes de Retención desarrollaba un nuevo reporte para comparar las declaraciones del formulario 4331 con los pagos efectivamente recibidos por la DGI, detectó que BAC International Bank aparecía con importantes retenciones registradas en el sistema, pero sin el correspondiente respaldo de pago en efectivo.
En cambio, el sistema mostraba documentos de ajustes que habían sido aplicados como si se tratara de pagos válidos.
La segunda alerta apareció cuando los auditores solicitaron oficialmente el listado completo de esos ajustes. El informe explica que dos movimientos nunca fueron incluidos en la documentación entregada inicialmente por el área de Cuenta Corriente, pese a que existían dentro del sistema. Esa omisión llevó a revisar directamente las bases de datos de E-Tax 2.0.
La tercera señal fue el propio volumen de operaciones. La auditoría identificó 61 ajustes por un valor superior a $42.471 millones, aunque cuatro de ellos correspondían a resoluciones legítimas previamente aprobadas por la DGI. Al excluir esas operaciones, permanecían decenas de movimientos sin justificación suficiente para iniciar la investigación.
La cuarta evidencia surgió al reconstruir la trazabilidad completa de cada trámite. Los investigadores imprimieron cada expediente, identificaron quién creó las solicitudes, quién las aprobó, qué funcionarios intervinieron, las fechas, los mensajes internos y los documentos asociados. El resultado fueron 17 expedientes físicos con aproximadamente 5.000 folios de evidencia documental.
La quinta señal fue quizás una de las más llamativas. Muchos de los ajustes se sustentaban en transacciones realizadas hacía cinco, diez y hasta más de quince años, cuyas operaciones originales ya habían concluido exitosamente y cuyos pagos figuraban correctamente registrados.
Sin embargo, años después fueron anulados o modificados para liberar créditos tributarios nuevamente utilizables. Los auditores calificaron como inusual que solicitudes de anulación se presentaran después de tanto tiempo sin existir nuevos elementos que las justificaran.
La sexta modalidad consistía en anular declaraciones tributarias utilizando una resolución que únicamente permite hacerlo cuando fueron presentadas “sin corresponder”.
Sin embargo, al revisar expedientes de compraventas de acciones, fincas y otros activos, los auditores comprobaron mediante escrituras públicas, registros oficiales e incluso información publicada por las propias empresas que las operaciones sí habían ocurrido, por lo que no existía fundamento aparente para anularlas.
La séptima señal fue la utilización de créditos provenientes de pagos no aplicados para beneficiar a otros contribuyentes. Según el informe, una vez liberadas las boletas mediante anulaciones o ajustes, esos montos eran trasladados posteriormente hacia terceros mediante solicitudes de corrección y cesión, cambiando completamente al beneficiario original del pago.
La octava alerta estuvo relacionada con la alteración del código tributario 202 (ITBMS) y otros movimientos realizados mediante solicitudes de corrección dentro del módulo BPM-GTR. La auditoría concluye que el sistema permitía modificar el destino final de pagos previamente registrados utilizando distintos tipos de ajustes administrativos.
Finalmente, la novena señal fue la existencia de ajustes sin respaldo documental suficiente. En algunos expedientes los auditores encontraron operaciones millonarias que carecían de memorandos, resoluciones u otra documentación que justificara los cambios realizados dentro del sistema, mientras otros ajustes solo estaban respaldados por un memorando específico cuya validez también fue sometida a revisión.
Más allá del sofisticado manejo informático, el propio informe deja ver que fueron los errores administrativos y la repetición de patrones los que terminaron exponiendo el mecanismo.
La investigación comenzó porque un reporte interno no coincidía con otro; luego aparecieron documentos omitidos, operaciones antiguas reactivadas, expedientes sin sustento y anulaciones sobre transacciones cuya existencia pudo verificarse mediante registros públicos, escrituras notariales e incluso publicaciones corporativas disponibles en internet.
Con esa evidencia, la DGI remitió el expediente al Ministerio Público, dando origen a la Operación Pandora, que actualmente investiga una presunta organización integrada por funcionarios y particulares dedicada a manipular E-Tax 2.0 para obtener beneficios económicos ilícitos.
La investigación alcanza a una estructura integrada por abogados, funcionarios en ejercicio y exfuncionarios de la Dirección General de Ingresos (DGI), quienes presuntamente aprovecharon sus conocimientos sobre los procedimientos internos y los accesos al sistema E-Tax 2.0 para ejecutar ajustes tributarios irregulares.
De acuerdo con las pesquisas del Ministerio Público, el expediente involucra al menos a 19 personas y, hasta el momento, ya registra dos acuerdos de pena homologados y otros dos en proceso, mientras continúan las investigaciones para determinar el grado de participación y las responsabilidades individuales de cada uno de los implicados.
Operación Pandora,DGI,documentos,investigación,expedientes,carpetas
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