“We oppose the current Amendment 3 because it creates far too much uncertainty about how local governments would continue to fund law enforcement, fire rescue, emergency medical services, and other critical public safety functions. Public safety should never become collateral damage with uncertain fiscal consequences.”
“The Florida Sheriffs Association is significantly concerned with Constitutional Amendment 3, which potentially allows Tallahassee to control your local budgets, creates longer law enforcement response times, limits communities’ abilities to provide road repairs and stormwater removal — these are just a few of things voters deserve to be aware of.”
“Amendment 3 promises property tax relief, but state economists project it would cut local funding by roughly $5 billion in year one and $12 billion by year five — money that pays for police and fire protection, road repairs, parks, libraries, water infrastructure, affordable housing, and conservation.
1000 Friends of Florida opposes Amendment 3 because the modest savings for some homeowners would be outweighed by the lasting harm to the services and quality of life that make Florida home.”
“Amendment 3 would significantly reduce the locally controlled funding that supports parks, recreation, and other essential public services, diminishing the ability of cities and counties to maintain parks, preserve natural resources, offer recreational opportunities, and invest in the quality of life that makes Florida’s communities strong, resilient, and economically competitive. The Florida Recreation and Park Association encourages Floridians to vote No on Amendment 3.”
FACERS encourages “a ‘NO’ vote on Amendment 3 because of concerns that substantial reductions in recurring local ad valorem revenue could constrain the long-term planning, maintenance and delivery of county and municipal roads, bridges, stormwater systems and other critical infrastructure.”
“…FFMIA cannot support a constitutional amendment that could significantly reduce the stable funding necessary to provide essential fire prevention and life safety services without identifying a sustainable replacement funding source. Fire prevention programs including inspections, plan reviews, code enforcement, public education/community risk reduction, and fire investigations are often among the first public safety services impacted during periods of fiscal constraint. Reductions in these services increase risk to our communities and ultimately jeopardize the safety of Florida’s residents, visitors, businesses, and first responders.”
“Amendment 3 would jeopardize funding for essential public safety, infrastructure, and community investments while shifting more of the tax burden onto 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. The Florida Rural Economic Development Association supports thoughtful tax reform-but not at the expense of the services and investments that help rural Florida thrive.”
The Federation of Manufactured Homeowners of Florida is opposing Amendment 3, arguing that many residents who own their manufactured homes but lease the land underneath them would not receive a direct reduction in their property taxes “The benefits of that tax change will not benefit manufactured homeowners because we own the home, but we don’t own the property,” Calabrese said. “So it’s a commercial property tax while we pay taxes. We will get no reduction in our taxes,” said John Calabrese.
“The Florida Engineering Society (FES) and American Council of Engineering Companies of Florida (ACEC Florida) have significant concerns about the potential impact of Constitutional Amendment 3 on the ability of local government to make needed investments in public infrastructure to protect and enhance the general well-being of Floridians.
“According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Florida communities are already weighing cuts to infrastructure projects and considering higher fees for parks and libraries.
“Moreover, a drastic loss of revenue could jeopardize municipalities’ ability to repay bonds already issued for infrastructure. All three credit rating agencies – Moody’s , Fitch and Standard & Poor’s – have warned about the unintended consequences of the loss of revenue, such as weaker creditworthiness that would drive up the cost of borrowing.”
“The Florida Engineering Society (FES) and American Council of Engineering Companies of Florida (ACEC Florida) have significant concerns about the potential impact of Constitutional Amendment 3 on the ability of local government to make needed investments in public infrastructure to protect and enhance the general well-being of Floridians.
“According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Florida communities are already weighing cuts to infrastructure projects and considering higher fees for parks and libraries.
“Moreover, a drastic loss of revenue could jeopardize municipalities’ ability to repay bonds already issued for infrastructure. All three credit rating agencies – Moody’s , Fitch and Standard & Poor’s – have warned about the unintended consequences of the loss of revenue, such as weaker creditworthiness that would drive up the cost of borrowing.”
Amendment 3 would severely limit the ability of local governments in Florida to effectively manage growth and protect natural resources. Its passage would further erode home rule authority of city and county governments.
City and county governments are the entities that make local development decisions and, in some places, manage a large percentage of local conservation land. Amendment 3 would have the state tell local governments how they can collect and distribute the property tax revenue that they need to function.
“The Orlando Economic Partnership is significantly concerned with Constitutional Amendment 3 and its potential negative impacts on essential services provided by local government, as well as other adverse impacts on issues important to voters, including public safety, transportation, economic growth, and housing affordability. 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 amendment to the state’s constitution.”
“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.
“For these reasons, the Florida Library Association joins the Florida Professional Firefighters, Florida State Fraternal Order of Police, Florida Fire Chiefs Association, Florida Recreation and Park Association, and other organizations in opposing Amendment 3.”
The League of Women Voters of Florida recently adopted a formal position in opposition to Amendment 3 ahead of the Nov. 3 elections. The League of Women Voters of Florida President Jessica Lowe-Minor issued the following statement on the League’s adopted position.
“Floridians love their communities, and the services local governments provide are a major reason why. We love to take our kids and grandkids to the local park. We love to watch them play baseball and soccer at the municipal sports field. We love our public libraries. We love driving on well-maintained county roads. We love being safe because our police officers and firefighters have the resources they need to do their jobs. And we don’t want to put our communities and the services we love at risk because of a confusing ballot amendment.
“The League of Women Voters of Florida has long opposed efforts to use the State Constitution to limit or steer revenue. We’ve also been consistent supporters of home rule by municipalities and counties, because we believe that local entities closest to the people should be able to make decisions based on what their citizens want.
“As the general election approaches, Floridians need reliable, nonpartisan information to ensure they are ready to vote on this important issue. Between now and November 3, the League of Women Voters of Florida and our members will work to explain Amendment 3 to our fellow voters so that everyone is fully aware of the implications. With so much on the line, it’s critical that voters know what’s at stake and are prepared to make their voices heard.”
“The Florida Association of Special Districts strongly opposes Amendment 3 because it would significantly reduce a key source of local funding without providing a sustainable replacement. Special districts are single-purpose units of government that deliver the services Floridians depend on every day, from fire rescue and emergency response to children services, water systems, water/flood control, parks, libraries, hospitals, public health mosquito control, and community infrastructure. Amendment 3 would severely limit the ability of special districts to provide and improve these critical services, placing additional pressure on the communities they serve.”
Florida welcomes nearly half a million new residents each year. Effective community planning is critical to helping cities and counties manage growth, providing for safer roads, shorter commutes, reliable emergency response, parks and neighborhood spaces, protection of natural resources, and natural disaster resilience.
As proposed, Amendment 3 would significantly reduce a source of local revenue without identifying a sustainable replacement to fund infrastructure, public services, and responsible growth.
REFORMA de Florida, the state chapter of the National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking, believes public libraries are essential to all – especially for Florida’s more than 6.8 million Latinos.
The ballot for Amendment 3 does not mention public libraries in the list of services to be funded by property taxes. Since the early 20th century, Florida’s public libraries have depended on property taxes to support the work they do in their communities.
“Making Florida stronger and ensuring every Floridian can build a life they can be proud of starts with supporting the communities that help lift up our neighborhood public schools. Amendment 3, which is on the ballot in November, is not the solution to Florida’s growing affordability crisis. It’s a tax shift that taxpayers across the state will end up footing the bill for. And it’s one that we cannot afford.
“Cities and counties will see a significant reduction in overall funding for vital services, such as public libraries, parks and recreation, mosquito control, cuts to 911 dispatchers, EMT and fire services, road and bridge maintenance and repair, clean water, and hurricane preparedness to name a few. Not to mention the significant number of agreements between cities/counties and school districts for safety, after school programs, recreational fields and more, which could have a significant impact on already underfunded neighborhood schools. Cities and counties will be forced to decide between making cuts to services, charging residents higher fees for each service, or increasing the sales tax to backfill the loss in revenue.”
