The Florida Democratic Party has declared its formal opposition to Amendment 3, a November ballot referendum that would expand the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes.
Florida Phoenix reports the party issued a statement expressing concern that the amendment would shut off billions of dollars needed by local governments to fund public safety and essential services.
“We 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,” said Nikki Fried, the party’s chairwoman. “This 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.”
The party’s rejection of the measure follows last week’s statement of opposition from the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association.
“Until a comprehensive funding plan is established that preserves local governments’ ability to provide these essential services, the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association cannot support the amendment in its current form,” the organization said in a statement. “We remain committed to working with state leaders to develop solutions that protect both Florida taxpayers and the emergency services that safeguard every community.”
The Republican Party of Florida has yet to issue a position on the amendment. Gov. Ron DeSantis stated he would vote for the amendment but would not campaign for its passage because it differed from the property tax relief measure that he sought from the legislature.
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