A Florida judge has ordered the rewriting of Amendment 3, a ballot measure that would change the state’s property tax system.
Florida Voice reports Circuit Judge David Frank agreed with a lawsuit brought by Save Our Voters From Misleading Ballot Language Inc., which argued the amendment’s title “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Tax” was politically slanted and falsely suggested massive property taxes would occur if the measure failed.
The ruling requires Attorney Generall James Uthmeier to prepare a new title and politically neutral language to describe the measure. Among the provisions the judge said must be removed or rewritten were statements claiming the amendment “benefits Florida taxpayers,” “ensur[es] funding for core services,” “protect[s] small businesses” and “ensur[es] fairness for Florida residents.”
The judge also required a rewriting of language that incorrectly suggested the proposal would exempt the first $250,000 of a homestead’s value immediately after approval. Also being rewritten is the claim that the measure will require a schedule for the full elimination of certain property taxes.
Amendment 3 would increase homestead exemptions for state residents who own primary residences by the end of this year to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with further increases tied to the Consumer Price Index. The amendment caps assessment increases on other property to 5% a year.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said he disagreed with the ruling but would not challenge it.
“They sued on it, and a judge said, ‘Well, you can’t have this title, this or that or the other thing,’” DeSantis said. “I don’t necessarily agree with that, but the reality is it goes to the attorney general. The attorney general rewrites it.”
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