![\"Governor](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784657912_554_0-3-5.jpg\")
Gov. Ron DeSantis announces his proposal to provide property tax relief in Tampa on May 27, 2026 Credit: Mitch Perry\/Florida Phoenix<\/p>\nGov. Ron DeSantis announces his proposal to provide property tax relief in Tampa on May 27, 2026 Credit: Mitch Perry\/Florida Phoenix<\/p>\n
The Florida Democratic Party has voted to formally oppose Amendment 3, the measure designed to expand the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes and set the state on a path towards eliminating those taxes.<\/p>\n
A statement released by the party Monday said members adopted the position over the weekend amid concern the amendment would remove billions of dollars from local governments that fund public safety and other essential services.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need real affordability relief, but Amendment 3 would hurt our local communities and cut local services while giving huge tax breaks to billionaires and corporations,\u201d said FDP Chair Nikki Fried in a written statement. \u201cThis is a scam that would either raise other taxes on working families or rob their communities of essential services like public hospitals, EMTs, fire rescue, disaster preparedness, road maintenance, children services, libraries and parks.<\/p>\n
The Republican Party of Florida has yet to announce where it stands on the proposal.<\/p>\n
There is growing momentum opposing the measure.<\/p>\n
Last week, the Florida Fire Chiefs\u2019 Association became the first major statewide public safety organization to formally oppose Amendment 3, saying that providing tax-relief and reliable emergency services \u201care not mutually exclusive, but both require responsible long-term planning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUntil a comprehensive funding plan is established that preserves local governments\u2019 ability to provide these essential services, the Florida Fire Chiefs\u2019 Association cannot support the amendment in its current form,\u201d the organization said in a statement. \u201cWe remain committed to working with state leaders to develop solutions that protect both Florida taxpayers and the emergency services that safeguard every community.\u201d<\/p>\n
According\u00a0to state economists<\/a>, the proposed amendment would reduce local-government property-tax revenues by an estimated $5 billion in its first year and $11.8 billion per year after five years.<\/p>\n \u201cWe thank the Florida Democratic Party for standing up for the people of Florida and opposing Amendment 3,\u201d said Jackson Peel, communications director for Save Our Services, one of several organizations formed to advocate against the property tax proposal.<\/p>\n There doesn\u2019t appear to be any organized support for the amendment as of yet, even though Gov. Ron DeSantis and Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia campaigned in public over the past year in support of such a proposal. But after the GOP-controlled Legislature approved his plan with some changes, DeSantis has noticeably cooled in his public support for it.<\/p>\n The governor\u00a0has said<\/a>\u00a0the measure would be \u201cgood for taxpayers\u201d and that he will vote for it, but will not actively campaign for the amendment before it appears on the Nov. 3 ballot.<\/p>\n Florida Phoenix<\/a> is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: [email\u00a0protected]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Florida Phoenix<\/a> is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: [email\u00a0protected]<\/a>.<\/p>\n