The Winners and Losers Under Florida’s Major Property Tax Overhaul
Hospitals, law enforcement and other key services could lose millions in funding—unless local governments hiked other taxes.
Florida voters will determine in November whether they back a constitutional amendment that could dramatically lower property taxes for some homeowners while potentially cutting funding for essential services like hospitals and law enforcement. Known as Amendment 3, the proposal would raise the homestead tax exemption for non-school taxes from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027, and up to $250,000 by 2028.
The amendment would also cap the annual increase in assessed values for non-homestead properties at 5%, down from the current 10%. It requires counties and municipalities to allocate property taxes exclusively for public safety, education, infrastructure, natural resource management, bond debt service, retirement benefits, and operations.
Opponents, including economists, health care officials, former Republican lawmakers, and local municipalities, argue that the amendment would severely undermine local government budgets, leading to significant cuts in funding for crucial services. Without the amendment, local governments would still have to raise taxes to maintain these services. However, supporters contend that the amendment will help alleviate the burden of rising property taxes for many homeowners and provide much-needed relief amid inflation.
The amendment, initially criticized for misleading voters, has been revised to more accurately reflect its impact. To pass, it needs a majority of Florida voters to approve it on the November ballot.
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