Voters to decide fate of property tax exemption increase in Florida as group forms in opposition
FORT MYERS, Fla. —
Florida voters will decide this November whether to increase the homestead exemption to $250,000, potentially eliminating property taxes for homes valued below that amount and reducing taxes for others.
A group called “Vote No on 3” has formed to oppose the measure, arguing that reducing property taxes will hurt communities by shrinking the tax base.
Edie Ousley, a representative of the group, said, “Shrinking the tax base will shift the cost of paying for critical services, like public safety, onto many Floridians.”
Ousley also warned of broader financial consequences, saying, “If we shift those bills, that’s going to do things like cause higher rent, more expensive everyday purchases, costlier first homes.”
The Florida Policy Institute, an independent nonpartisan organization, estimates that increasing the homestead exemption to $250,000 would cost Lee County $449 million, Collier County $190 million, and Charlotte County $127 million.
Ousley added, “If they vote for it, they’re going to see crippling cuts to critical services, public safety, storm water protection or going to see a tax shift that is going to hurt many.”
Some voters, however, dismiss these concerns as scare tactics.
Steve Giles, a Fort Myers real estate agent supporting the tax cut, said, “We will have police protection always.”
Giles believes the measure would benefit working-class Floridians, stating, “I think people who sell high-end homes or buy a high-end home on the water or sell one, it’s not going to affect them, but everyday working-class people who go to work every day and try to make a living, it’s going to help them a lot.”
Mike Smalley, another Fort Myers resident, echoed this sentiment, saying, “People are tired of the high prices, especially all the taxes that we pay, so eliminating one tax, I think a lot of people will come on board for it.”
If approved, the measure would lower or eliminate property taxes for many Floridians. A “no” vote would defeat the proposal. The measure requires 60% voter approval to pass.
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