{"id":391591,"date":"2026-09-05T19:20:15","date_gmt":"2026-09-05T19:20:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/391591\/"},"modified":"2026-09-05T19:20:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T19:20:15","slug":"economic-development-group-join-opposition-to-amendment-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/391591\/","title":{"rendered":"Economic Development Group Join Opposition to Amendment 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\"Holland<\/p>\n

<\/a>Holland Park in Palm Coast would have a hard time keeping its sheen through cutbacks forced by Amendment 3, if it were to pass. (\u00a9 FlaglerLive)<\/p>\n

Two economic development groups are opposing Amendment 3, raising the alarm that cutting revenue from property taxes could hurt economic efforts at the local level.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Florida Economic Development Council<\/a>\u00a0and the Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP<\/a>) both issued statements denouncing the November ballot measure.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmendment 3 would erode the revenue structure supporting Florida counties and municipalities resulting in uncertainty and disrupting the balance of the private-public model that prioritizes investments in transportation infrastructure, place-making, and good jobs with sustainable wages for Florida families,\u201d said the Council\u2019s Executive Director,\u00a0Beth Cicchetti.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Florida Economic Development Council supports thoughtful property tax reform that provides meaningful relief to Florida homeowners while preserving the ability to attract capital and talent and sustain vibrant local economies. Amendment 3, as currently structured, does not strike that balance.\u201d<\/p>\n

The OEP, which works to recruit companies to Central Florida to grow the local economy, also warned it was \u201csignificantly concerned\u201d with Amendment 3 because of the effects on public safety, transportation, economic growth and affordable housing, said the OEP\u2019s Chief External Affairs Officer,\u00a0Bob O\u2019Malley.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile tax reform may be needed at all levels of government, OEP believes the proper forum for policymaking of this magnitude should be through the Florida Legislature, not an amendment to the state\u2019s constitution,\u201d O\u2019Malley said.<\/p>\n

The OEP currently receives $793,453 annually from the Orange County government\u2019s general fund.<\/p>\n

The growing list of organizations against Amendment 3 includes the\u00a0Florida Fire Chiefs\u2019 Association<\/a>,\u00a0Florida Professional Firefighters<\/a>, the\u00a0Florida State Fraternal Order of Police<\/a>, the\u00a0Florida Sheriffs Association<\/a>,\u00a01000 Friends of Florida<\/a>, the\u00a0Florida Library Association<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0League of Women Voters<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>If approved by at least 60% of voters in November, Amendment 3 would lift homestead exemptions for those who own primary residences in the state by the end of this year to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, and tie further increases in the exemption to the\u00a0consumer price index.<\/p>\n

School taxes would not be subject to the increased exemption limit, and would stay at $25,000.<\/p>\n

Newer residents would qualify for a $50,000 exemption and would receive the full tax benefit five years after living in Florida.<\/p>\n

\u201cOwning your own home has been the American dream since our nation was founded 250 years ago. What better way to celebrate America\u2019s 250th\u00a0anniversary than a massive property tax cut through a $250,000 homestead exemption for Floridians,\u201d said Senate President\u00a0Ben Albritton.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m grateful to Gov. (Ron)\u00a0DeSantis\u00a0for leading the conversation on cutting property taxes and putting forward this robust proposal for the consideration of Florida voters this Fall.\u201d<\/p>\n

Critics of Amendment 3 charged lawmakers\u00a0placed the issue on the ballot<\/a>\u00a0without any economic study of the consequences and after a short three-day Special Session in June.<\/p>\n

Earlier this Summer, Orange County Commissioners discussed their next steps if Amendment 3 passes. Officials said hypothetical cuts could lead to slower fire response times,\u00a0LYNX\u00a0bus cuts to International Drive, no more new sidewalks, the end of mosquito control sprayings and axing programs that help vulnerable groups.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a challenge,\u201d Orange County Mayor\u00a0Jerry Demings\u00a0said in July during a budget workshop. \u201cWe have an obligation to make sure that we talk to our community about the potential implications \u2014 not to put fear in them but to certainly sprinkle a dose of reality into what could happen if we lose some substantial funding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013Gabrielle Russon, Florida Politics<\/p>\n

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