Attorney General James Uthmeier released a court-ordered rewrite Thursday, 10 days after Leon County Circuit Judge David Frank ruled that the original title and summary were biased, misleading and inaccurate.
The rewrite also removes claims that the amendment “benefits” taxpayers, “protects small businesses,” “ensures” core services and guarantees “fairness” for Florida residents.
Instead, it spells out the mechanics.
Opponents say the clearer language does not fix what they consider a flawed proposal.
“The revised ballot language in response to the court’s ruling more accurately represents the underlying policy for voters,” Florida Policy Institute CEO Sadaf Knight said. “However, the amendment’s harmful potential impacts remain the same.”
State analysts estimate the measure would eventually reduce recurring local property-tax revenue by nearly $12 billion annually. Opponents warn that could mean service cuts or higher taxes and fees elsewhere.