TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) \u2014 Property tax relief or the possibility of less funding for public services?<\/p>\n
That is the question posed to Florida voters this Election Day on Amendment 3, which, if passed, would cut property taxes for homeowners.<\/p>\n
“I voted no. I did,” said Lakeland voter, Rob Pearce. “The folks that have the big homes, they got money. They don’t need any more help.”<\/p>\n
“I don’t want to risk getting any of the wonderful benefits that we receive here in the city of Lakeland and I certainly do not want to see any of our emergency services compromised,” said Cynthia Plemmons, a voter in Lakeland.<\/p>\n
A voter named Kathy said she feels the same way.<\/p>\n
“It funds so many public things that we need those funds for law enforcement and all our public service,” she said.<\/p>\n
News Channel 8 spoke to voters about Amendment 3 outside the Lake Mirror Center, a polling location in Lakeland on Election Day.<\/p>\n
“Any relief, I don’t care if it’s 10%. I would be happy,” said a voter named Pamela who voted yes on Amendment 3. “Because I want to see our property taxes go down. I’m a senior citizen and I still feel like it should be passed that senior citizens over the age of 65, whether they own their home or not, should be free from property tax.”<\/p>\n
“I actually voted for it but I’m not convinced I did the right thing,” said a voter who did not share his name. “Most of the research I’ve read and found said to do it. It’s going to save us money.”<\/p>\n
If passed, Amendment 3 would increase the non-school property tax exemption for homestead properties to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028.<\/p>\n
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R – Florida) has championed the issue.<\/p>\n
“If they aren’t having to pay more money to local government just to live in their primary residence, that money is doing to do better in the economy,” he said.<\/p>\n