Florida’s Amendment 3: Look Both Ways
“As for Amendment Three, if you’re a homesteaded property owner with a probable two-thousand-dollar property tax reduction on the ballot, you’re likely already eyeing, not the Nestle Chocolate Drumstick, but something even more tasty like the Minn Kota Riptide Terrova Trolling Motor.
“Just remember to look both ways before you vote.
“There is a cost for that new trolling motor. If Amendment Three, which increases the homestead exemption for all non-school taxes $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, passes, the statewide cost, per Florida Tax Watch, to all local governments, will be an estimated $45.8 billion over the first five years.
“Fire and police departments are literally sounding alarms in hopes that people will vote NO on Amendment Three.
“The cost to you as an angler is less draconian, and less publicized. But rest assured, there will be a cost.
“The revenue shortfall will have an immediate impact on boating access, artificial reef deployments, and fishery-critical water quality projects.
“Boat ramp construction and repairs are an often-neglected line item for county governments already, illustrated by hurricane-damaged ramps still closed years after the storms have passed. This will certainly become even a bigger issue if Amendment Three passes.
“For those of you with a fully functioning, free-to-use boat ramp near you, expect to pay a fee in the very near future. And for those of you who already pay a fee, expect the price to go up. The same goes for beach access and shore-based anglers.”
Read the full column by Blair Wickstrom on Florida Sportsman Magazine: https://www.floridasportsman.com/editorial/florida-voting-election-caution/561726
Amendment 3 threatens $2.2B in recurring Central Florida revenue, may shift burden to businesses
“The Florida Department of Revenue and Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research estimate the constitutional approval of Amendment 3 during November’s general election will lead to a total recurring reduction in revenue of nearly $2.2 billion for Orange, Seminole, Lake, Osceola, Volusia and Brevard counties.
“The proposed amendment aims to increase the homestead exemption for qualified residents while establishing new residency requirements, reducing the annual assessed value increase cap for non-homestead properties and limiting the use of county and city ad valorem tax revenue to specified core services.
“This affects $811.7 million in Orange County that would go toward funding general local services such as operations of parks and libraries and police and fire departments.”
Realtor.com Economist Warns Amendment 3 Would Drive Up Home Prices and Hurt First-Time Buyers — While Florida Realtors® Spend $10 Million Saying the Opposite
Florida Realtors® claim Amendment 3 is about “attainable homeownership.” Analysis on Realtor.com says that the deep property tax cuts, as proposed in Amendment 3, would make Florida homes less affordable for first-time buyers.
“Florida Realtors® are telling voters that Amendment 3 is about affordability, but the real estate industry’s own economists are saying the opposite,” said Edie Ousley, of the No on Amendment 3 campaign. “When home prices jump, who wins? Not the young family trying to buy its first home, and not the renter saving for a down payment. The people who win are the ones collecting commissions on bigger sale prices. That is why they’re spending $20 million on this.”
“Florida Realtors® can’t have it both ways,” Ousley continued. “You can’t claim to champion first-time buyers while bankrolling a measure that pushes homeownership further out of reach and also blows a hole in the budgets that pay for local firefighters, deputies, parks and roads. Floridians should see this for what it is and vote No on 3.”
Floridians should ask what’s next if Amendment 3 passes
“Floridians deserve relief from rising costs. Firefighters understand that as well as anyone. We live in the communities we serve, raise our families here and pay the same mortgages, insurance premiums, and property taxes as our neighbors.
“But as voters consider Amendment 3, we are asking them to look beyond the promise of property tax relief and understand what this permanent change to Florida’s Constitution could mean for the local services they depend on every day.
“Amendment 3 identifies public safety as a permitted use of property tax revenue, but that should not be confused with guaranteed funding for fire, EMS or law enforcement. Local decision makers would still determine how those dollars are spent, just with less revenue available. Amendment 3 does not guarantee that public safety will be prioritized or prevent local officials from making funding decisions that could reduce those services.
“Meanwhile, Florida continues to grow. Calls for service continue to increase. Fire engines still have to be replaced, stations have to be staffed, and trained firefighters and paramedics have to be ready before an emergency happens, not after.
“Florida’s firefighters are asking voters to understand the consequences before Election Day and to protect the public safety services all of us count on when it matters most. Please, vote no on Amendment 3.
Read the full opinion editorial by Wayne “Bernie” Bernoska on the Bradenton Herald: https://www.bradenton.com/news/article317595854.html
On Amendment 3 in Florida, the math simply doesn’t work. There are only two possibilities…
Either crippling cuts to critical services OR tax shifts that benefit some but hurt others.
Get the Facts: www.VoteNoOnAmendment3.com
Under Amendment3, the bill doesn’t go away. It gets shifted.
You’ve heard the promise: Lower property taxes. More money in your pocket. What the ballot doesn’t tell you is who picks up the tab.
Squad cars, sidewalks, roads, bridges, and fire stations don’t magically become cheaper because homestead property taxes are cut or eliminated. The cost shifts. And the people who decide where it lands won’t be the ones living with the consequences.
How to vote on Florida’s constitutional amendments | Opinion
“The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board called it a “poorly designed measure” that won’t help the state’s competitiveness. Former Republican state Sen. Jeff Brandes said the amendment “leaves Florida weaker.” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said lawmakers did “zero fiscal analysis” before voting to add it to the November ballot.
That’s a partial list. The critics span right and left, urban and rural, from environmentalists to the three-piece-suit crowd. Many of these groups support property tax cuts. They just can’t support this one. They see too many unanswered questions and a tsunami of potential unintended consequences.”
Going the wrong way: Amendment 3’s $250K homestead exemption slips to 42% support, 18 points shy of passage
“A constitutional amendment that would raise the homestead exemption to $250,000 in 2028 has 42% support among likely voters, 18 points short of the 60% it needs to pass, according to a new St. Pete Polls survey for Florida Politics.
“Another 35% oppose Amendment 3 and 23% are undecided with four weeks until Election Day.
“Support fell 3 points from the pollster’s mid-September survey, which had the measure at 45% with 30% opposed and 25% undecided. Opposition rose 5 points.
“Among voters who have made up their minds, the measure is at 55%, down from just under 60% in September. Undecided voters would have to break nearly 80-20 in favor for it to pass.”
A faithful future requires strong communities: Vote no on 3
“Florida’s Amendment 3 is being marketed as a tax break, but in reality, it poses a direct threat to the human‑services and public‑safety infrastructure that keeps our communities functioning. Before voters head to the ballot box, they deserve to understand what is truly at stake and why eliminating homestead property taxes would destabilize the systems Floridians rely on every day. Interfaith Alliance Florida stands with the Tallahassee Chapter of the National Action Network in opposition to this dangerous amendment.
“Public safety will be hit first and hardest. Across Florida, police, fire, and EMS already account for more than 56% of municipal general‑fund spending, and in many smaller cities the share is even higher. Research from Florida International University shows public‑safety spending exceeds all property‑tax revenue in at least 176 Florida cities.
“Eighty‑five cities could not fund public safety at current levels even if every other property‑tax‑funded service were eliminated. Amendment 3 would wipe out the primary revenue source that keeps first responders on the job. Firefighters warn that cuts could reach 25% statewide, meaning fewer firefighters on duty, slower EMS response times, and police departments forced to reduce patrols or eliminate units entirely. Slower response times endanger lives and drive-up homeowners’ insurance rates, adding yet another hidden cost for Floridians.
“Human services would also be forced to compete for scraps. Property taxes do far more than fund emergency response—they sustain public hospitals, emergency management, sanitation, parks, libraries, community centers, and social‑service programs that support seniors, children, and vulnerable families.”
The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce OPPOSES Amendment 3. Here’s an excerpt from Heather Kasten, President & CEO.
“There is no question that Florida has an affordability problem.
“Homeowners are feeling it in their property taxes and insurance premiums. Renters are feeling it in monthly housing costs. Businesses are feeling it through higher insurance, labor, housing and operating expenses.
“So, when our state leaders ask whether Florida’s property tax system needs reform, I believe they are asking the right question.
“Unfortunately, Amendment 3 is the wrong solution.
“This November, Florida voters will consider Amendment 3, a sweeping change to our state’s property tax system. The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce opposes Amendment 3 because we believe the proposal creates too many unanswered questions, could shift costs to businesses and renters, and puts important community services at risk.
“This is not a partisan issue. It is a fiscal issue, a business issue and, ultimately, a community issue.”
Why Floridians should reject Amendment 3 on Nov 3rd
“By now, the case against Florida’s Amendment 3, the property tax proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot, is crystal clear.
As much as we’d all like to believe that the state can dramatically cut our property taxes, and it won’t materially damage our quality of life — the line proponents spin — that’s simply not true.
What’s Amendment 3: This amendment would increase the homestead exemption on owner-occupied homes to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028. It would also reduce the annual cap on tax assessment increases for non-homestead properties from 10% to 5%
To pass, it must win at least 60% of the vote, a high bar because it is an amendment to the state constitution.
Our recommendation: Vote NO.
Why: As the Editorial Board has said, Amendment 3 is nothing less than a fundamental rewrite of the economics of local governments that use property-tax revenues to pay for police and fire rescue and basic services. It’s an ill-conceived, rushed proposal without real explanation of consequences.
If this amendment is approved, we could see deep cuts to local governments. Parks and libraries might have to reduce operating hours, close or eliminate after-school programs. Social services for the elderly could be hit with cuts. The waiting time to obtain a building permit may increase if county hall or city hall layoffs take place.
We’d see small cities and some rural communities going belly up. We’d likely see increases in fees for all sorts of government services and a tax shift onto renters and properties without a homestead exemption.”
“While addressing property taxes is important, Amendment 3 misses the mark. Simply put, it is a tax shift to non-homestead properties. It also disproportionately affects counties and cities depending on local home values. Some rural communities will see their ad valorem tax practically eliminated, while urban areas with larger commercial bases will not.
“Taxes have certainly gotten out of control, but the main issue is how they are applied. Longtime homesteaded properties have a huge advantage over newer homeowners. For example, my neighbor — who owns the exact same home as mine — pays double in taxes simply because he bought his house two years ago, whereas I have lived in mine for 30 years. Currently, when a property is sold, its tax value is reset to the market price (called Just Market Value), creating this imbalance and runaway increases in overall taxable value.
“As of now, if it passes — and I believe it’s still an if — non-homestead properties will bear the brunt. If the community passes fees, non-homestead properties that received no savings benefits will still have to pay them. Or what about disabled veterans or homeowners who currently have additional exemptions (some up to 100%)? If municipalities pass fees to make up for lost revenue such as a fire fee, will they now have to pay them?”
Amendment 3 is simple: YOU pay more. THEY pay less. And we ALL lose with cuts to police, fire, and paramedics.
#Florida voters Deserve the Facts. Sign-Up here:
Did you know if Amendment 3 in #Florida passes that every community will face critical budget shortfalls?
That’s right, public safety (e.g. law enforcement, first responders, firefighters), roads, parks, libraries, and many other local government services will be negatively affected by Amendment 3. Vote NO!
Find the Funding Gap in Your Community:
Public Safety is on the line in #Florida. It’s the single largest budget item in more than 80% of Florida communities, consuming more than half of every general fund dollar spent. Deputies, firefighters, paramedics. When billions leave the tax base with no replacement plan, that’s where the cut lands. There’s no version of this math where it doesn’t. Vote NO on Amendment 3
Get the Facts: https://votenoonamendment3.com/
Business Leaders Across #Florida OPPOSE Amendment 3
Get the Facts: https://votenoonamendment3.com/opposition-wall/
Press release: https://votenoonamendment3.com/business-leaders-across-florida-oppose-amendment-3/
WALTON & HOLMES COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY LEADERS STAND UNITED IN SAYING: ‘AMENDMENT 3 IS AN EMERGENCY’
WHAT PUBLIC SAFETY LEADERS ARE SAYING:
Florida Sheriffs Association Member Sheriff Michael Adkinson, Walton County:
“Police and fire protection make up the largest expense in 80 percent of Florida local budgets. Florida keeps growing, and that means more calls, fires and accidents. But funding to support public safety will be cut under Amendment 3…Our responsibility is to protect the people we serve, and Amendment 3 does not protect you.”
Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association President, Fire Chief Ryan Crawford, South Walton Fire District:
“Floridians deserve meaningful property-tax relief, but they also deserve a clear understanding of what changes to the tax system mean for the essential services they rely on every day.”
Bonifay (Holmes County) Fire-Rescue Chief Travis Cook:
“I understand and respect the desire for property-tax relief, but I also have a responsibility to ensure that Bonifay Fire-Rescue has the resources necessary to protect our community. My concern with Amendment 3 is that reducing this dependable revenue source could jeopardize our ability to sustain staffing, equipment, response times, and future fire protection needs. I believe taxpayers deserve accountability and responsible use of their money, but I also believe public safety must have a sustainable funding source.”
Alaqua Animal Refuge, Chairman of the Board, Scott Russell, Santa Rosa Beach: “Florida’s rural counties already face significant gaps in animal services, law enforcement resources, veterinary access, shelter capacity, and nonprofit support. And these problems do not stay within county lines.”
https://votenoonamendment3.com/walton-holmes-county-public-safety-leaders-stand-united-in-saying/
“Across social media and other public spaces, we’re seeing strong indications that Floridians have cracked the code on Amendment 3. It’s packaged prettily, as a massive property-tax cut for people who own their homes. But many Floridians have figured out that this amendment will kneecap local governments — shifting fiscal control to legislators and bureaucrats in Tallahassee and forcing counties and cities to beg for funding to sustain libraries, recreational programs, health services and programs that benefit children, seniors and homeless people. In some communities, even funding for essential services like public safety and roads will be strained.
“As with all constitutional amendments, Amendment 3 requires a 60% yes vote to pass. It deserves to be defeated by at least that much. If you do nothing else, vote no on this.”
Read the full Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board ‘NO’ Position on Amendment 3 in #Florida
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/09/24/no-no-no-on-awful-amendment-3-endorsement/
“Amendment 3 is the most reckless gamble out of Tallahassee since the 1861 convention that voted for Florida to secede from the union. The yahoos in our capital would wreck only the state this time and not the whole country, but the irresponsibility is the same.
“The witless legislators who voted to put Amendment 3 on the Nov. 3 ballot should pray that the voters have better sense than they did. If it passes, counties and cities will be forced to beg Tallahassee to pay for the police, firefighters and free libraries that Amendment 3 would sacrifice.
“The Legislature did nothing to determine what Amendment 3 would cost or how to make up for it. It all happened in less than three days with a shameful lack of policy discussion.
“The estimates from state economists came later: $5 billion in the first year, when the new homestead exemption covers $150,000, and nearly $12 billion a year after when the exemption goes up to $250,000.”
Read the full South Florida Sun-Sentinel Editorial why Florida voters should #VoteNoOnAmendment3 –> https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/09/19/no-no-no-on-awful-amendment-3-endorsement/
Poll: Amendment 3, the property tax cut for Florida homeowners, is 15 points short of home
“A constitutional amendment that would increase the homestead exemption to $250,000 in 2028 has 45% support among likely voters, 15 points short of the 60% it needs to pass, according to a new St. Pete Polls survey conducted for Florida Politics.”
Read more: https://floridapolitics.com/archives/820604-poll-amendment-3-st-pete/
“Two of Florida’s best-known conservative sheriffs blasted the proposed Amendment 3 Tuesday, calling the property tax rollback a ‘train wreck,’ ‘draconian,’ and an ’emergency’ as campaigns on both sides of the contentious issue ramp up ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
“Alongside about two dozen sheriffs and representatives from several police and fire unions, Republican Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said voters should reject the increased homestead exemptions and instead urge Florida lawmakers to come up with a better plan to provide property tax relief.”
“So vote ‘No on 3’ now, and tell your legislators: ‘Get to work. I want tax relief, and I want my public safety protected. And by the way, I want my stormwater ditches clean, I want my mosquito control, I want my parks, I want my libraries,’” he said, standing in front of a sign reading ‘Amendment 3 is an Emergency.’ “You can have it all with responsible work by your legislators, but not with Amendment 3.”
PUBLIC SAFETY LEADERS STAND UNITED IN SAYING: ‘AMENDMENT 3 IS AN EMERGENCY’
Sheriffs, police chiefs, fire chiefs and professional fire fighters stood shoulder-to-shoulder today in sharing their concern that Amendment 3 is an emergency. Property taxes fund public safety. Slashing property taxes means politicians will slash deputies, firefighters and 911 emergency services.
“Public safety is the largest line item in over 80% of Florida communities, so it’s the first thing cut when tax revenue drops — slower 911 responses, fewer firefighters and Sheriff deputies on the road,” said Edie Ousley, spokesperson for Vote No on 3. “Amendment 3 will strip away millions in public safety funding, but the cost of squad cars, safety equipment, training and hiring deputies for a growing population doesn’t go away.”
WHAT PUBLIC SAFETY LEADERS ARE SAYING:
Florida Sheriffs Association President and Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods:
“Public safety is about people. It’s the deputy who answers your call, the dispatcher who picks up when you dial 911, and the men and women working around the clock to keep your family and your community safe. Florida’s sheriffs have serious concerns about what Amendment 3 could mean for the local resources that fund those critical services. Our responsibility is to protect the people we serve, and Amendment 3 does not protect you.”
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd:
“Amendment 3 doesn’t protect law enforcement, firefighters or emergency services, it defunds them. You can’t take billions of dollars out of local government and pretend it won’t affect the law enforcement officer who answers your 911 call, the firefighter responding to your home or the roads and stormwater systems your community relies on. This amendment is a train wreck, and if it passes, Floridians should expect fewer public safety resources and slower response times.”
Fire Chief Michael Tucker, Florida Fire Chiefs Association, 1st Vice President:
“Public safety cannot be an afterthought in property tax reform. Fire and EMS agencies are responsible for protecting Floridians every day, and they need predictable, sustainable funding to maintain staffing, stations, equipment, training, and emergency response. The FFCA supports tax relief, but we cannot support Amendment 3 in its current form because it reduces local revenue without providing a clear and sustainable plan to protect the essential services Floridians depend on.”
Full Press Release: https://votenoonamendment3.com/public-safety-leaders-stand-united-in-saying-amendment-3-is-an-emergency/
The Florida Police Chiefs Association OPPOSES Amendment 3
“We know Florida families are feeling the weight of rising costs. Property tax reform is a conversation worth having, and we support smart, thoughtful changes that help people keep more of what they earn while still protecting the communities they call home.
“Constitutional Amendment 3 moves quickly toward significant homestead exemption increases, but it leaves too many critical questions unanswered. There is no clear path or mandate that prioritizes how public safety
will be funded now or in the years ahead. There is no detailed plan that accounts for the very different realities of rural, suburban, and urban communities that Floridians have chosen to live in. Without those answers, voters cannot fully understand what a “yes” vote actually delivers for the officers who answer 911 calls and the neighborhoods those officers protect.
“Public safety is not a secondary service. It is the foundation that lets families feel secure; businesses thrive, and communities function. Any serious reform must spell out, in definitive terms, how the men and women who wear the badge will continue to have the resources they need. Hope and local discretion alone are not a plan.
“We live in these communities too and understand the pressure of rising costs on homeowners. We understand why people want tax relief. We want affordable homes and safe streets. We believe both are possible, but only if we plan carefully. We are opposed to moving forward without a clear, workable path that keeps communities
safe. We believe Florida can achieve both meaningful tax relief and strong public safety. That only happens when the details are written down; the priorities are set, and every type of community is considered. Amendment 3 as written does not provide a plan for public safety funding
“We want to be part of the solution, but Amendment 3 isn’t the answer. We trust Florida voters to look at the full picture before voting. We encourage all Floridians to vote No.”
Full statement: https://fpca.com/media/2026/09/FPCA-Amendment-3-Revised-For-Release-AAD.pdf
“Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with inflation adjustments beginning in 2029. It would also cut the annual assessment-growth cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5% and require the Legislature to create a uniform procedure allowing counties and municipalities to increase homestead exemptions still further, potentially to a home’s full assessed value.
“The question is not whether lower taxes are desirable in the abstract. The question is whether a statewide constitutional formula is a sensible way to govern a major part of local finance in one of the largest, fastest-growing and most economically diverse states in America.
“I do not think it is.
“Yet Florida Realtors’ own campaign acknowledges the central problem with its statewide solution. Asked about local-government budgets, the campaign concedes that “the impact will vary by community” and that each city and county will have to evaluate its own budget and priorities. It then argues that uncertainty about those decisions should not prevent the state from acting.
“That strikes me as exactly backward.
“If the fiscal impact varies substantially by community, that is an argument for preserving meaningful local discretion, not for placing a substantially more restrictive statewide tax structure in the Constitution.
“A constitution should establish durable rules of government. It should be approached cautiously when asked to function as a tax code.”
“As the voice of the Tampa Bay business community, we oppose Amendment 3 as an approach to addressing property tax reform and affordability challenges in Florida.
“While Florida’s property tax system warrants thoughtful, comprehensive review and reform, Amendment 3 does not provide a responsible or sufficiently defined path to achieving meaningful relief. We believe this is the right question but the wrong solution.
“Among the significant questions that warrant further consideration are the definition and protection of core government services, the long-term fiscal impacts on counties and municipalities, and how potential changes in property tax revenue could affect the ability of local governments to maintain services and make community investments.”
“Sierra Club Florida joins organizations, nonprofits, and municipalities across the state in opposing Amendment 3, which will effectively gut the budgets of local governments in Florida.
“The consequences of this amendment will be devastating as property taxes are a critical source of local revenue that supports county and city parks, land preserves, and other public spaces, as well as public safety, schools, and hospitals.
“If Amendment 3 passes, municipalities will no longer be able to fund stormwater management and runoff programs, flood mitigation, and fire prevention and abatement at the level they do now.
“Florida voters who are seeking relief and affordability should know that Amendment 3 is, in fact, the most expensive choice on the ballot.
Sierra Club Florida stands against this proposed amendment and urges Floridians to vote NO on Amendment 3 this November.”
“It’s disappointing, but not surprising, that real estate agents are spending millions in support of Amendment 3.
“Their commission-driven business model involves one thing and one thing only: having more real estate transactions at higher prices.
“Amendment 3 will force local governments to only approve the construction of apartment complexes and high-end homes that will continue to be on the tax rolls, while the supply of affordably priced homes is reduced, forcing prices upward.
“The question is, who do you trust? Sheriffs, police chiefs, state economists, first responders and local community leaders? Or real estate agents who profit from higher home costs?”
– Edie Ousley, spokesperson, Vote No on Amendment 3, regarding the Florida Realtors® Amendment 3 campaign.
“Amendment 3 is a massive cut to the property tax revenue that cities and counties use to pay for local services — and it leaves working families, seniors, and the most vulnerable among us to make up the difference.
“When the state cuts property tax revenue this deeply, local governments don’t get a pass on their obligations. They get a choice: raise money somewhere else or cut something. Florida’s sheriffs, firefighters, and police officers have already warned that these cuts will strain the very emergency response systems that show up first when someone overdoses or a mental health crisis turns into a 911 call. And when budgets tighten further, the first things to go are rarely the things that make headlines. They’re the after-school programs that help keep a teenager in school and off the corner instead of on it. The mentoring programs that give a kid without a father at home somewhere to be. The community treatment slots that give those with substance use disorders the treatment they need to stay clean and to turn their lives around.
“Supporters of Amendment 3 will tell you this is about tax relief, and for the lucky homeowners with the highest-value properties, it is. But relief for some has to come from somewhere, and in this amendment, it comes out of the services that lower-income and challenged families depend on most — services whose recipients don’t have a lobbyist in Tallahassee and don’t get a vote when a county commission is forced to decide where the cuts land.”
Two economic development groups are opposing Amendment 3, raising the alarm that cutting revenue from property taxes could hurt economic efforts at the local level.
The Florida Economic Development Council and the Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) both issued statements denouncing the November ballot measure.
“Amendment 3 would erode the revenue structure supporting Florida counties and municipalities resulting in uncertainty and disrupting the balance of the private-public model that prioritizes investments in transportation infrastructure, place-making, and good jobs with sustainable wages for Florida families,” said the Council’s Executive Director, Beth Cicchetti.
“The Florida Economic Development Council supports thoughtful property tax reform that provides meaningful relief to Florida homeowners while preserving the ability to attract capital and talent and sustain vibrant local economies. Amendment 3, as currently structured, does not strike that balance.”
The OEP, which works to recruit companies to Central Florida to grow the local economy, also warned it was “significantly concerned” with Amendment 3 because of the effects on public safety, transportation, economic growth and affordable housing, said the OEP’s Chief External Affairs Officer, Bob O’Malley.
“While tax reform may be needed at all levels of government, OEP believes the proper forum for policymaking of this magnitude should be through the Florida Legislature, not an amendment to the state’s constitution,” O’Malley said.
“South Florida is essentially a big swamp and mosquitos aren’t just a nuisance that ruin outdoor activities. They are a public-health concern. Among the viruses they can spread: Zika, dengue, chikungunya.
“For voters, reducing mosquito control may seem like a reasonable trade-off for lower taxes, and if you look at it in isolation, maybe. But consider how Amendment 3 would force local governments to chip away — at varying degrees, depending on each community — at other programs such as parks, libraries and animal shelters.
“Maybe it’s fewer sheriff’s deputies who are hired or fewer fire trucks purchased. Perhaps some parks and libraries close or reduce operating hours or eliminate after-school programs. Social services for the elderly could be hit with cuts. The waiting time to obtain a building permit may increase if county hall layoffs take place. And we cannot forget that 9% of Miami-Dade’s property taxes go toward Jackson Health, the county’s public hospital system, according to a Herald analysis.”
Earlier this year, I joined a coalition of Democrats and Republicans, mayors and everyday Floridians, in a lawsuit against the state over the misleading and deceptive language regarding Amendment 3 which will be on our ballot this November. We didn’t sue because we disagreed with cutting taxes. We sued because the ballot language voters were about to see was, in the judge’s own words, “the worst example of a biased ballot question” the court had encountered — closer to a campaign flyer than an honest description of what this amendment does.
We won. The court ordered the state to rewrite it. Gone is the misleading slogan “Save Our Homes From Excessive Property Taxes.” Gone are the false promises that this measure protects small businesses and “core services.” That was a real victory for transparency, and I was proud to be part of it.
But here’s what I need you to understand: honest words don’t make this a good amendment. They just make it an honestly bad one.
Strip away the marketing, and Amendment 3 is a tax shift and a new burden on middle- and lower-income families. It lowers the tax burden on the wealthy while starving the local budgets that pay for the services our communities depend on. Cities and counties don’t get to conjure money out of thin air. When property tax revenue drops, local governments have exactly two choices: cut services or raise money somewhere else.
“The State’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research has now completed an analysis of the impacts to city and county budgets across the state—in the first year, the hit to local governments will be $5 billion. Five years out, it will be an annual shortfall of $12 billion.
“Faced with a budget shortfall of this magnitude, cities and counties would have to make hard choices, and few services would avoid reductions. Many could be eliminated entirely. As a result, Amendment 3 is opposed by a broad coalition of groups ranging from police, sheriffs, hospitals, libraries, local governments, and even fiscal responsibility watchdogs like the nonprofit Florida TaxWatch.
“At Audubon, we are especially concerned about the grim implications of Amendment 3 for sprawl, water and parks.” – Julie Wraithmell, Executive Director of Audubon Florida
Although lower tax bills might be tempting, voters also need to consider the consequences of a sharp cut in revenue for local police departments, ambulance providers, and the bus and parks systems, Miami-Dade’s mayor said Wednesday as she launched a campaign opposing a state referendum to cut property taxes.
“It threatens everything from public safety and emergency response to our roads, parks, our libraries,” Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, a Democrat, said during a press conference taking aim at Amendment 3, the tax-cut proposal backed by Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature. “These are not luxuries. These are basic, essential services that protect our lives, our families and our neighborhoods.”
“South Florida is essentially a big swamp and mosquitos aren’t just a nuisance that ruin outdoor activities. They are a public-health concern. Among the viruses they can spread: Zika, dengue, chikungunya.
“For voters, reducing mosquito control may seem like a reasonable trade-off for lower taxes, and if you look at it in isolation, maybe. But consider how Amendment 3 would force local governments to chip away — at varying degrees, depending on each community — at other programs such as parks, libraries and animal shelters.
“Maybe it’s fewer sheriff’s deputies who are hired or fewer fire trucks purchased. Perhaps some parks and libraries close or reduce operating hours or eliminate after-school programs. Social services for the elderly could be hit with cuts. The waiting time to obtain a building permit may increase if county hall layoffs take place. And we cannot forget that 9% of Miami-Dade’s property taxes go toward Jackson Health, the county’s public hospital system, according to a Herald analysis.”
“Many cities and counties would become dependent on the good will of Tallahassee lawmakers — and anyone who thinks legislators don’t play favorites hasn’t been paying attention. In the meantime, a large number of Florida residents and businesses would reap no benefit from this [property tax] amendment at all.”
-Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, August 23, 2026
Mistakes in state law can be fixed next session. Mistakes in the state Constitution are forever. Amendment 3 would lock deep cuts to local services into Florida’s founding document — with no funding plan and no easy way back. #VoteNoOn3
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd doesn’t mince words about the proposed property tax amendment in Florida (aka, Amendment 3). In November, Vote No On Amendment 3.
“The impact of this would hit local governments like a neutron bomb. Over the course of five years, Amendment 3 would chop nearly $46 billion from the budgets of cities and counties across the state. As a result, almost every local government would face hellish decisions — weighing cuts to emergency services like police and fire against libraries, recreational programs and senior centers.” -Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, August 23, 2026
“Florida’s 28 taxpayer-funded hospitals and healthcare taxing districts would be unable to provide some of the medical services they now offer if voters cut property taxes in November, a report issued Thursday says.
“The new report released by Florida Policy Institute, a nonprofit that researches state budgets and policies, looks at the big-picture financial impact on public hospitals if Amendment 3 passes in the general election in November and estimates a $323 million loss over the next three years.”
“What homeowner doesn’t like the sound of a property-tax cut? More money in the bank account. A little breathing room.
Here’s the catch: Amendment 3 doesn’t make the cost of local government disappear. It changes who pays for it. The “tax cut” is likely to become a tax shift, the kind of decision we usually regret, like a drunk text or a bad karaoke video. But a constitutional amendment can’t be deleted. This one’s permanent — a face tattoo, not a haircut.”
Tampa Bay Times Columnist Graham Brink, August 28, 2026
“For homeowners, it’s easy to see the appeal. But every ‘too-good-to-be-true’ deal has a catch — and Amendment 3 is no exception. The truth is simple: Amendment 3 shifts billions of dollars away from local governments, and when that revenue disappears, the services we rely on every day will shrink with it.”
-South Florida Sun-Sentinel Editorial, August 30, 2026
“Florida’s rural communities succeed when they have the tools to invest in their future. Amendment 3 would jeopardize funding for essential public safety services, infrastructure and community investments while shifting more of the tax burden to businesses and other property owners. These changes would make it more difficult for rural communities to compete for jobs, attract new investment and grow their local economies.” -FREDA Chair Richard Williams.
Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association OPPOSES the Florida property tax amendment which will be ‘Amendment 3’ on your November ballot.
That warning comes from the Florida Sheriffs Association — the people who answer your 911 calls. Longer response times aren’t an abstraction when it’s YOUR emergency. Florida’s sheriffs are significantly concerned about Amendment 3. So should you be. #VoteNoOn3
It’s not just first responders. 1000 Friends of Florida — a statewide conservation group — now opposes Amendment 3, warning it would gut the local revenue that protects Florida’s land, water, and quality of life. The coalition against this amendment keeps growing.
Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith knows how bad Amendment 3 will be for his rural county.
Public safety is the single largest budget item in more than 80% of Florida communities, consuming more than half of every general fund dollar spent.
Deputies, firefighters, paramedics. When billions leave the tax base with no replacement plan, that’s where the cut lands. There’s no version of this math where it doesn’t.
Florida’s fire chiefs just became the first statewide first responder group to formally oppose Amendment 3. These are the people who run fire protection, EMS, and disaster response. When they say the funding future is uncertain, that’s not politics. That’s a warning. Vote No on 3.
“Amendment 3 will significantly reduce locally controlled revenue available to Florida’s cities and counties. Without a clear and sustainable replacement for that revenue, the amendment will place additional pressure on funding for public libraries and other essential local services. For libraries, reduced local resources will mean fewer hours, reduced staffing and programming, fewer materials and technology resources, and will seriously reduce access to services for the communities that depend on them.” – The Florida Library Association
Get the full story on why Amendment 3 in Florida is a big problem:
https://votenoonamendment3.com/
Amendment 3 hasn’t even been voted on yet — and Florida cities are being forced to already make cuts to vital services that local citizens demand. #VoteNoOn3
$343 million. That’s the hole Hillsborough County was warned to expect under Amendment 3 — money that funds the sheriff’s office, fire rescue, and emergency management. County leaders are already deciding what to cut. Ask yours what’s on the list.
Vote No On Amendment 3 in #Florida to Stop Unfair Tax Shifts
The judge’s order was straightforward: The ballot title for the proposed Florida property tax amendment “misleads voters” and the State must rewrite it.
But even after the rewrite, Amendment 3 will still remove billions in local revenue and name no replacement to help fund public safety, parks, libraries, and other vital public services.
Who pays if Amendment 3 passes? EVERYONE
The devil is in the details. Get the facts: https://votenoonamendment3.com/
How much will Amendment 3 really cost Floridians?
The answer will surprise you.
Find out: https://votenoonamendment3.com/
Picture Orlando’s entire city budget. Now cut it in half. That’s roughly what Orange County stands to lose every single year under Amendment 3 — police, fire, parks, and roads all competing for what’s left. No replacement plan. Just a hole. Vote No on 3.
When the official who runs a county’s budget calls it “an amputation,” it’s not political spin.
Leon County has already frozen hiring and cut spending — and Amendment 3 isn’t even law yet. It slashes local revenue with no plan to replace it. #VoteNoOn3
The proposed Florida property tax amendment — Amendment 3 — requires a rewrite, so says a Florida Judge. But no matter the rewrite, Amendment 3 will have major consequences for the Sunshine State—most of them “unintended.” Get the Facts!
A Republican county commissioner warns Amendment 3 would force service cuts so deep that Seminole County’s quality of life — and property values — would collapse. Deep cuts don’t protect your home. They devalue it. #VoteNoOn3
Why is Amendment 3 in Florida a Tax Shift?
Get the Facts: https://votenoonamendment3.com/
Public safety is the single largest budget item in more than 80% of Florida communities, consuming more than half of every general fund dollar spent. Deputies, firefighters, paramedics.
When billions leave the tax base with no replacement plan, that’s where the cut lands. There’s no version of this math where it doesn’t.
The Miami Herald’s editorial board didn’t call Amendment 3 too liberal or too conservative. They called it a gamble. Cutting billions from local budgets with no plan to backfill isn’t fiscal discipline — it’s rolling the dice with your city’s ability to function and provide vital services like public safety.
Florida built its brand on low taxes. The New York Times says this time Florida flew too far. Amendment 3 strips billions from the budgets that pay for police, fire, and roads — and nothing in it replaces the money. Vote No on 3.
Mosquito control sounds like a punchline until you remember why Florida funds it. These districts are funded by property taxes to keep us safe and disease-free. Amendment 3 cuts that revenue with no backup plan. Some things you don’t notice until they stop.
“Tax relief” with a catch: cities say they’ll be forced to charge new fees for services property taxes already cover — police, fire, parks. You may not save what you think. #VoteNoOn3
With Amendment 3, the Math doesn’t work. There are only two possibilities: CRIPPLING CUTS to critical services OR Tax Shifts that make us all PAY MORE for everything #VoteNoOn3
Pasco County’s tax collector is a lifelong Republican — and he says Amendment 3 would devastate his county. On his list of what’s at risk: the sheriff’s office, fire-rescue, veterans’ and senior services. Even supporters are alarmed. #VoteNoOn3
Oviedo has planned a new police station for a decade. Now the mayor says the city may have to dissolve its police department within a year if Amendment 3 passes. This is the real-world math behind “tax relief.” #VoteNoOn3
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/18/business/property-taxes-homes-florida
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/18/business/property-taxes-homes-florida
When Bloomberg’s editorial board warns about “hidden risks,” it isn’t defending high taxes. It’s pointing out that Amendment 3 in Florida cuts local revenue without saying who fills the gap. The risks aren’t hidden for long — they show up in your (lack of) services and your (increased) fees.
“The problem is that shrinking the tax base in this way will inevitably drive localities to shift the burden to other forms of property…” -WSJ
