ORLANDO, Fla. —
With Election Day one week away, supporters and opponents of Florida’s Amendment 3 are making their final appeals to voters, debating whether property tax relief would come at the expense of public safety.
The proposed homestead property tax exemption would reduce some homeowners’ property tax bills. Supporters say the relief is needed to address affordability, while first responders warn that losing revenue could force cuts to emergency services.
Rocco Salvatori, vice president of the Florida Professional Firefighters, said property taxes help fund the equipment and personnel residents rely on during emergencies.
“Property taxes bought the ambulance that took your dad to the hospital when he had a heart attack,” Salvatori said. “They most likely bought the fire truck that responded to your child’s school, and they certainly helped pay for the brave men and women that answered those calls.”
First responders warn of staffing cuts
Orange County Sheriff John Mina said personnel account for 80% of his budget. A 6% budget reduction, he warned, would mean 234 fewer deputies on the streets.
“In every community meeting I have ever been in, in my 36 years, I have never ever heard a resident say, ‘We want less law enforcement,’” Mina said.
Supporters say homeowners need relief
Florida Realtors supporters argue that homeowners need a break from property taxes and dispute warnings that the amendment would leave insufficient money for public safety.
“There’s a lot of misinformation out there about Amendment Three,” said Margy Grant, chair of the Vote Yes on 3 campaign.
Grant said property tax revenue has doubled over the past decade. She argued that the proposal would level off projected revenue growth while leaving funding available for public safety.
“What people also don’t realize (is) that if nothing is done, it will go from $20 billion in 2019 to almost $80 billion in 2030,” Grant said. “So it’s time to address the affordability problem.”
As Election Day approaches, both sides are urging voters to consider what is at stake.
“This is about our kids. This is about our seniors,” Grant said.
Doug Zabin, with Orlando Professional Firefighters, offered a different closing appeal: “Please vote no on three.”