Amendment 3

Most aren’t buying claims lawsuit restrictions are helping matters.

Florida’s water management districts depend on property taxes to fund about a third of their work preventing floods, securing the drinking water supply and conserving wetlands.

Both of Florida’s gubernatorial candidates spoke Sept. 23 at WLRN’s Sunshine Economy Summit — possibly the closest they will get to appearing on the same stage this election cycle.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds lays out plans to make Florida more affordable, tackle rising property insurance premiums and why he backs Amendment 3.

Miami-Dade libraries could lose $20 million under Amendment 3, the property tax referendum facing Florida voters this November — around 16% of its budget. The measure could cause branch closures, fewer hours, employee layoffs and program cuts.

Florida Realtors CEO Margy Grant estimates the proposal would save about $1,000 a year in 2027 and $1,800 in 2028 for the average homeowner.

Amendment 3, if voters say "yes", would increase the homestead property tax exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027, and it would rise to $250,000 in 2028. The 10 percent cap on annual assessment increases for non-homestead properties would be lowered to 5 percent.

The plan aims to revitalize the city’s parks, roadways and public safety. However, should Florida’s proposed Amendment 3 pass in November, the city could struggle to keep up with the new improvements.

Seven weeks before the Nov. 3 election, Florida organizations are taking stands on Amendment 3, which, if approved by 60 % of the voters, would substantially reduce homestead property taxes while simultaneously reducing revenues for local government services.

The Florida Realtors trade group is getting behind Amendment 3, the major property tax cut on the November ballot, putting $10 million to support the measure.

The Sierra Club has become the latest organization to announce opposition to Amendment 3 on the November ballot, saying that if passed it “will effectively gut the buckets of local governments in Florida.”

A coalition of government leaders from two counties launched a campaign to oppose the property tax referendum that may lead to local service cuts.