The Florida Rural Economic Development Association is joining the growing opposition to Amendment 3, warning the property tax proposal could put rural communities at a disadvantage in competing for jobs and investment.
FREDA announced its opposition Wednesday to the proposed constitutional amendment, which will appear on Florida’s Nov. 3 ballot.
The group represents economic development interests across rural Florida, which includes 31 of the state’s 67 counties. FREDA argues that those communities are particularly vulnerable to reductions in property tax revenue because many already operate with limited tax bases and lack some of the revenue streams available to the state’s larger population and tourism centers.
Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption for property taxes other than those levied by School Districts, ultimately raising it to $250,000 by 2028.
FREDA contends the resulting revenue losses could leave rural governments choosing among delaying infrastructure projects, reducing services or finding additional revenue from businesses and other property owners.
“Florida’s rural communities succeed when they have the tools to invest in their future,” said FREDA Chair Richard Williams. “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’s opposition adds another constituency to a coalition that has expanded well beyond traditional opponents of property tax cuts — the Florida Sheriffs Association, Fraternal Order of Police and Florida Professional Firefighters are firmly in the “no” lane.
Also opposed are the Florida AFL-CIO, Florida Education Association, League of Women Voters of Florida, Florida Policy Institute, NAACP Florida State Conference and several SEIU organizations.
The growing opposition comes after a Leon County Circuit Judge ruled the ballot title and summary were “clearly and conclusively defective,” finding the language improperly advocated for the proposal rather than neutrally explaining it. Attorney General James Uthmeier was ordered to rewrite the language.