TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The Florida Sheriffs Association is the latest statewide first responder advocacy group voicing their concerns with Amendment 3.
In short, Amendment 3 seeks to offer relief to Florida taxpayers by raising the homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028 for non-school taxes. To read the full bill describing Amendment 3, click here.
The FSA posted an official statement to their social media pages Monday morning saying the association is “significantly concerned with Constitutional Amendment 3.”
The Florida Sheriffs Association is significantly concerned with Constitutional Amendment 3, which potentially allows Tallahassee to control your local budgets, creates longer law enforcement response times, limits communities’ abilities to provide road repairs and stormwater removal – these are a few of the things voters deserve to be aware of.
While this is not an outright statement of opposition, it does lean into issues that other advocacy groups have previously mentioned.
On July 9, the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association was the first of the major first responder groups in the state to take a position. In a statement from the FFCA, they “cannot support the amendment in its current form.”
The Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association believes Florida taxpayers deserve thoughtful tax policy and dependable public safety. Tax relief and reliable emergency services are not mutually exclusive, but both require responsible long-term planning. As currently proposed, Constitutional Amendment No. 3 creates substantial uncertainty regarding the future funding of fire protection, emergency medical services, and disaster response without identifying a sustainable replacement revenue source. Until a comprehensive funding plan is established that preserves local governments’ ability to provide these essential services, the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association cannot support the amendment in its current form. We remain committed to working with state leaders to develop solutions that protect both Florida taxpayers and the emergency services that safeguard every community.
Following this announcement, The Florida Professional Firefighters union issued a statement on July 13 also in opposition to the amendment saying in part “we cannot support a proposal that could jeopardize the services Floridians depend on every day.”
We believe tax relief and strong public safety can coexist. Unfortunately, this amendment does not provide a clear path to achieving both. Until there is a reliable plan to provide the revenues necessary to support fire protection, EMS, and disaster response, we cannot support a proposal that could jeopardize the services Floridians depend on every day.
And finally, on July 24 the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police issued a statement opposing the amendment.
The Florida State Fraternal Order of Police believes Florida taxpayers deserve meaningful property tax relief. We understand the financial pressures facing homeowners, and we support thoughtful, responsible reforms that provide relief while protecting the essential services our communities depend on. However, we oppose the current Amendment 3 because it creates far too much uncertainty about how local governments would continue to fund law enforcement, fire rescue, emergency medical services, and other critical public safety functions. Public safety should never become collateral damage with uncertain fiscal consequences.
Our members stand ready to work with state leaders on solutions that provide safe, effective, and sustainable property tax reform without compromising the safety of Florida’s families.
As of Monday afternoon, the Florida Police Benevolent Association and the Florida Police Chiefs Association had not publicly taken a side on the amendment.
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