Florida Cities Warn Amendment 3 Could Strip $12 Billion a Year as Polling Tops 60%
Updated
Updated · WPLG Local 10 · Aug 14
Florida Cities Warn Amendment 3 Could Strip $12 Billion a Year as Polling Tops 60%
3 articles · Updated · WPLG Local 10 · Aug 14
Summary
$12 billion in annual local revenue could disappear under Florida's Amendment 3, prompting city officials at a statewide convention to warn voters before the November ballot.
The measure would raise the homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, squeezing money for police and fire pay, pensions, water, garbage pickup, roads and libraries.
A Leon County judge ordered the ballot wording rewritten after calling the original 'Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes' language 'clear and conclusively defective' and more like a sales pitch.
One survey found support would narrowly clear the 60% passage threshold if voted on now, but backing fell to 45% once respondents were told about the measure's effects.
Gov. Ron DeSantis is promoting the amendment as added homestead protection, while opponents including local officials and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd argue tax relief should not come by gutting city finances.