Amendment 3

Following the passage of Florida's 2026 Amendment 3, local governments have one year to plan how to make up for huge budget shortfalls.

In the midst of what pundits are calling a blue tsunami nationwide, Florida remained resolutely red, electing Republican Byron Donalds as its first Black governor and sending Republican Ashley Moody back to the U.S. Senate. I’m a political scientist who has lived in Florida for almost two decades and seen the powers of the governor’s office grow. We can see based on Donalds’ campaign promises the direction in which he plans to lead the state.

Politico's Kimberly Leonard joined The Florida Roundup to discuss what the results of the 2026 midterm elections mean for Florida's political future.

At the annual meeting of South Florida governments' regional climate compact, officials warned Amendment 3 could stall flood control work.

The Florida Legislature’s research arm estimated the measure would reduce annual revenue from property taxes by $11.8 billion. This translates to a 30% reduction in revenue for Florida counties and a 13% cut for smaller municipal governments.

He sees it as the best way to prepare for Amendment 3 property tax cuts.

Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters Wednesday he’ll convene a special legislative session in the next two months to install the large property tax cut approved by voters Tuesday evening.

Amendment 3, which increases the $50,000 homestead property tax exemption to $150,000 in 2027, and then to $250,000 in 2028, received 62% of the vote — two points more than the 60% needed to become law.

Gov. Ron DeSantis spent nearly half of his press conference Wednesday making the case once again for Amendment 3, the proposal on the statewide ballot that would cut property taxes for Florida homeowners. With six days to go before Election Day, polls indicate the proposal might be in danger of failing.

The councils and trusts, which have chapters in 14 Florida counties, are at risk of losing $278.1 million over the next two fiscal years if the measure passes. By the second year of having less local property tax, saving some services may mean cutting others.

If voters approve Amendment 3 on Nov. 3, the Indian River County Hospital District can expect to lose about a third of that tax money, said Frank Isele, the district’s executive director. By his rough prediction, that would mean about 10,000 fewer people served.

The proposed amendment, which requires 60% voter approval to pass, has split Miami-Dade's top government leaders. County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava strongly opposes the measure, while County Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez supports it.