Affordability has been the No. 1 issue so far in the campaign to elect Florida’s next governor.

So say Democrats. So say Republicans. So say numerous polls of voters.

On Wednesday, the man who is termed out of the governor’s office after eight years left his imprint on the race for his replacement by unveiling his long-awaited plan to slash local property taxes.

“It’s good for everybody, red, blue, none of the above,” DeSantis said during a news conference in Tampa. “You’re going to get the property tax relief, and I don’t think it’s a partisan issue.”

If anything, the property tax cut proposal changes the subject for the man who has helped put Florida on its current economic trajectory. It was DeSantis who cheered Florida’s population explosion during the pandemic that boosted housing prices. The state’s insurance rates remain higher than they were eight years ago. And while he bashed former President Joe Biden for inflation and even pushed through a temporary break on the gas sales tax, DeSantis has held President Donald Trump blameless for higher costs and soaring gas prices.

By pitching the homestead exemption of property taxes up to $500,000, DeSantis shifted the discussion to a cost that will have to be paid by local governments, not the state. On Wednesday, he assured reporters that the state will provide grants to make sure “core services” won’t get cut.

It’s unclear how core services will be defined or just how much this would cost local governments if voters pass the measure in November. Will it impact Florida schools and education? Lawmakers return to Tallahassee next week to hash out the details.

“It is probably the smartest way to do it, but it may impact cities and counties’ bonds and credit ratings,” said former Republican state Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg. “It does not address possible higher rates on renters and small businesses. He punts on cities raising other taxes. So many questions,and definitely not what’s he’s been pitching all year.”

As for the bipartisanship, at least Republicans in the race for governor were quick to endorse the plan.

“I support what the governor wants to accomplish,” said U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds on X. “I look forward to the Governor and legislature working together to provide real relief for the people of Florida.”

Former House Speaker Paul Renner said he has his own plan, but supports DeSantis, too.

“I stand with Gov. DeSantis on property tax relief, which is why I outlined a bold proposal on the issue,” Renner said on X. “This is a big step in the right direction.”

Lt. Gov. Jay Collins retweeted a DeSantis post on X promoting the plan.

Investor James Fishback, often an outlier in the GOP gubernatorial field, praised the plan, too.

“Gov. DeSantis is right to phase in the relief so local governments have time to recalibrate their spending,” Fishback said in a statement to the Times. “This is the beginning of a multistep, multiyear process that Florida’s next governor will have to oversee.”

Democratic candidates for governor, meanwhile, said they’d like to see more details.

“I look forward to learning more about the governor’s plan,” said former U.S. Rep. David Jolly.

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