TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has submitted a re-written proposed property tax amendment summary and title.
A judge ruled that the original version, titled “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes,” was too misleading and gave Uthmeier 10 days to reword it before it could go on the ballot.
The rewritten measure uses revised language that the judge suggested.
The amendment is now titled “Increased Homestead Exemption, Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homestead Property Assessments.”
In a statement Uthmeier said:
“Under Florida law, we don’t have the ability to rewrite the full amendment, just the ballot summary and title consistent with the court’s ruling.
The amendment could certainly have been rolled out with greater transparency and the meaningful involvement of key stakeholders, including our law enforcement agencies. No one wants to defund our incredible sheriffs, yet there were no discussions to involve them in this process. If it does not pass, I look forward to working with the legislature and our law enforcement leaders on comprehensive tax relief that protects public safety.”
State leaders argue that the proposed law would give more money back to homeowners, but some local governments say their budgets are likely to shrink.
60% of voters have to vote in favor of the amendment for it to pass.