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Police in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 15, 2020. Credit: Dave Decker<\/p>\nPolice in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 15, 2020. Credit: Dave Decker<\/p>\n
The Florida chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police is the latest public safety organization to oppose Amendment 3, the proposed constitutional amendment designed to provide property tax relief to homeowners but which critics allege could radically reduce revenues for local government essential services, including public safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Florida State Fraternal Order of Police believes Florida taxpayers deserve meaningful property tax relief,\u201d the organization said in a written statement Friday. \u201cWe understand the financial pressures facing homeowners, and we support thoughtful, responsible reforms that provide relief while protecting the essential services our communities depend on.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
If approved, the proposed amendment would increase homestead exemptions for Floridians who own primary residences by the end of this year to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. Further increases would be tied to the Consumer Price Index. \u00a0The amendment would cap assessment increases on other property to 5% a year.<\/p>\n
Last week, the Florida Fire Chiefs\u2019 Association became the first major statewide public safety organization to formally oppose Amendment 3, saying providing tax relief and reliable emergency services \u201care not mutually exclusive, but both require responsible long-term planning.\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 The Florida Democratic Party announced its\u00a0opposition<\/a>\u00a0to the measure earlier this week, while the Republican Party of Florida has yet to take a public stance.<\/p>\n Gov. Ron DeSantis campaigned on providing major property tax reduction for homestead property owners over the past year, but didn\u2019t unveil his own plan until\u00a0less than a week before<\/a>\u00a0he called the Florida Legislature to convene for a special session in June.<\/p>\n After it was approved with some\u00a0changes<\/a>\u00a0to his plan, he has said that, while he will vote yes on the amendment, he is not as enthused about it and will not head\u00a0any political group championing the measure<\/a>. That\u2019s a noticeable difference from 2024, when he formed\u00a0a political committee<\/a>\u00a0and actively campaigned against proposed constitutional amendments that would have legalized recreational cannabis and enshrined abortion rights into the Florida Constitution.<\/p>\n