Opposition grows against Florida property tax amendment as supporters remain largely silent | Southwest Florida

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, (WINK) — Three organized campaigns are now working to defeat a proposed Florida constitutional amendment that would dramatically increase the homestead property tax exemption, while political experts say they have yet to see a comparable effort urging voters to support it.

Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption from $50,000 to as much as $250,000 for qualifying primary residences. Supporters argue the proposal would provide significant relief to homeowners struggling with rising costs.

Opponents, however, are using increasingly pointed language to warn voters about what could happen to local services if cities and counties collect less property tax revenue.

One opposition website declares, Another compares the proposal to a “financial Titanic.” The newest campaign, called , describes the amendment as a “devastating tax shift.”

The three political committees have launched websites outlining their arguments against the proposal. Their messages largely focus on the possibility that local governments would have to reduce services, increase fees or find another way to replace lost revenue.

One website summarizes that argument with the phrase, “Cut it. Or shift it.”

UCF political scientist Aubrey Jewett said what is happening on the other side of the debate is just as notable.

“We haven’t seen any organized groups, or really even any high-profile politicians, stand up and say, ‘I’m going to be fighting for this,’ and really, you know, rallying the public to say vote for this,” Jewett said.

That includes Gov. Ron DeSantis, even though reducing property taxes was one of his major priorities.

DeSantis has said he still supports Amendment 3, but does not plan to lead a campaign to pass it because lawmakers changed the proposal he originally pushed before placing it on the ballot.

Jewett said the imbalance between the two sides could influence voters as the November election gets closer.

“I will say the political science research also shows that if you have a lot of money spent on just one side versus the other, that does tend to sway public opinion somewhat,” Jewett said.

The potential impact is already being calculated in Southwest Florida.

Cape Coral City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn said the city could lose more than $40 million in annual revenue if the amendment passes.

“Cape Coral is looking at over $40 million in loss of revenue should this pass, and so there’s really two options here: you either replace that revenue with another revenue source, or you reduce the services by that amount,” Ilczyszyn said.

Cape Coral has not taken a position for or against the amendment.

“Our role regarding the property tax amendment is to educate the public on the potential impacts or the potential solutions for the reduction of property taxes,” Ilczyszyn said.

Questions about the proposal are also coming from Florida TaxWatch, a government watchdog that has traditionally advocated for lower taxes. The organization has raised concerns about potential unintended consequences for local governments.

Still, Jewett said the amendment should not be counted out.

“People are really frustrated right now with the cost of living and affordability,” Jewett said. “And so potentially, people may say, ‘Okay, if you’re going to dangle $1,500 or $2,000 savings to me, I’ll take it.’”

Amendment 3 will need support from at least 60% of voters to pass because it would change the Florida Constitution.

Florida voters failed to approve two property tax-related constitutional amendments in 2022, meaning the promise of a lower tax bill does not automatically guarantee enough support to clear that threshold.