Florida Judge Blocks Amendment 3 From November Ballot Over $250,000 Tax Break Language
Updated
Updated · WESH 2 Orlando · Aug 4
Florida Judge Blocks Amendment 3 From November Ballot Over $250,000 Tax Break Language
3 articles · Updated · WESH 2 Orlando · Aug 4
Summary
Leon County Judge David Frank barred Florida from placing Amendment 3 on the November ballot, ruling its title and summary were defective, misleading and not neutral.
The measure, approved by the Republican-led Legislature in June, would raise the homestead exemption for nonschool property taxes to $250,000 over two years.
Frank said the ballot language falsely suggested the amendment would protect funding, even though shrinking the local property tax base would likely reduce revenue for core services.
Opponents, including former state Sen. Jeff Brandes and the Florida Sheriffs Association, said cities and counties could face tax hikes, service cuts and slower law-enforcement response times.
Florida now has 10 days to appeal or draft replacement language, with the November ballot deadline approaching.