We are in a season of giving, but one trendy giveaway idea has actually been making the political rounds for months.

Several states have been talking about doing away with property taxes – among them, Illinois, Kansas, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and my home state of Florida.

It seems like a tantalizing gift for long-suffering property owners: Imagine being free of those pesky payments that are either rolled into monthly mortgage bills or come due annually.

Unfortunately, it's about as realistic as believing in Santa Claus.

Ron DeSantis, who's about to enter his final year as Florida's governor, is particularly keen on this concept. He's come up with a proposal to abolish property taxes on all "homesteaded" land – that is, land considered "permanently" occupied by its owners.

That would still leave property taxes in effect for commercial properties, vacation rentals and the homes of seasonal visitors who don't claim Florida residency.

By DeSantis' estimate, about 30% of Florida's total property tax base would be exempted under his proposal. He said it's the kind of relief taxpayers across the country need to counterbalance rising home affordability costs.

As property values have risen in Florida in recent years, local........

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