Property tax slash crosses approval threshold on election night

A far-reaching homestead property tax reduction proposed by the Legislature garnered the approval of more than 62% of the unofficial vote, besting the 60% approval required to be enshrined in the Florida Constitution. 

At full implementation, state economists estimated Amendment 3 would reduce local revenues by as much as $12 billion annually.

For well over a year, Gov. Ron DeSantis has been advocating for eliminating property taxes, although he took about as long to propose a statutory language to do so. The Legislature amended his plan to protect property taxes collected for schools.

“Big win on Amendment 3 for Florida homeowners!” DeSantis posted Tuesday night, replying to a Republican Party of Florida post that categorized the amendment’s passage as “an incredible VICTORY for Florida homeowners!”

Amendment 3 had the support of the state GOP and Florida Realtors. In the days leading up to the election, DeSantis hosted events throughout the state advocating for the amendment. 

The Florida Democratic Party opposed the amendment, as did public safety and law enforcement groups, such as the Florida Sheriff’s Association, as well as outgoing Senate President Ben Albritton, a Republican from central Florida. 

“Unfortunately, the affordability crisis that shaped this election also helped propel support for Amendment 3,” Jackson Peel, communications director for the No on 3 campaign, said. “People are struggling and they need relief. Now, communities will be forced to respond to the budget challenges this will create.

“It’s critically important that state and local governments do everything they can to make sure that the service cuts or tax increases don’t fall on Florida’s working families and seniors. The tax shift cannot fall on working people,” Peel said.

Former state lawmaker Jeff Brandes campaigned against the amendment, and even led a lawsuit challenging its language.

“Florida passed Amendment 3. The governor and the Legislature own what comes next. They have the responsibility to manage the fallout,” he posted to social media Tuesday, going on to list cities and counties he says will struggle with passage of the amendment.

“Floridians voted for lower taxes, and they count on their communities for the basics,” Brandes wrote. “Both are reasonable expectations. The governor and the Legislature can honor that vote by giving cities and counties a clear plan before they write their next budgets, so every community can decide how best to keep the services its residents depend on.”

Amendment 1

Voters rejected an increase in the capacity of the state’s budget stabilization fund, the rainy-day account tapped in case of emergencies or revenue shortfalls. 

The proposal, Amendment 1, received just more than 40% support. 

That means the state will continue to maintain up to 10% of the previous year’s net revenue in the budget stabilization fund, instead of the 25% proposed by the amendment. 

DeSantis railed against the amendment, but the Republican Party of Florida endorsed it. 

“Amendment 1 — a testament to our failed former speaker of the House — is deservedly going down in flames. Good riddance,” DeSantis posted to X Tuesday evening. He referred to Speaker Daniel Perez, with whom he has feuded for two years.

Amendment 2

The other measure on the statewide ballot was Amendment 2, Exemption of Tangible Personal Property on Agricultural Land from Taxation. 

That amendment would have excluded farming equipment like tractors from assessed taxes, but as of Tuesday night had 58.25%. According to a state estimate, the amendment would’ve reduced local government revenue by about $31 million starting in 2027.

The Florida Farm Bureau supported the amendment.