Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment proposing a homestead property tax reduction on Tuesday, rejected an increase in the state's budget stabilization fund, and appeared to defeat a farm equipment tax exemption, according to unofficial election results.
State economists estimated Amendment 3 would reduce local government revenues by as much as $12 billion annually when fully implemented. It crossed the 60% threshold required for constitutional amendments with more than 62% of the unofficial vote. The Florida Legislature added language to protect property taxes collected for schools.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has advocated for eliminating property taxes for more than a year, posted Tuesday night: “Big win on Amendment 3 for Florida homeowners!” The Republican Party of Florida and Florida Realtors supported the amendment. The Florida Democratic Party, the Florida Sheriff's Association, and outgoing Senate President Ben Albritton, a Republican, opposed it.
Former state lawmaker Jeff Brandes, who campaigned against it and led a lawsuit challenging its language, wrote after the vote: "Florida passed Amendment 3. The governor and the Legislature own what comes next. They have the responsibility to manage the fallout." He listed cities and counties he said will struggle and called on state leaders to give them a clear budget plan.
Voters rejected Amendment 1, which would have raised the cap on the state's budget stabilization fund from up to 10% to 25% of the previous year's net revenue. It received just over 40% support. DeSantis opposed the measure, calling it “a testament to our failed former speaker of the House” and saying it was “deservedly going down in flames.” The Republican Party of Florida had endorsed it.
Amendment 2, which would have exempted tangible personal property on agricultural land from taxation, had 58.25% support as of Tuesday night, below the 60% threshold for passage. The Florida Farm Bureau supported it.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The amendment could reduce local government revenues by up to $12 billion annually, forcing cities and counties to make difficult budget choices.
- The passage is a major political victory for Gov. Ron DeSantis, who campaigned heavily for it.
- The rejection of Amendment 1 leaves the state's emergency fund at its current 10% cap, potentially limiting the state's ability to respond to crises.
Background
Amendment 3 is a homestead property tax reduction originally proposed by Gov. DeSantis and modified by the Legislature to protect school funding. It required 60% voter approval to amend the state constitution. State economists estimated it would reduce local revenues by up to $12 billion a year.
Key Perspectives
Gov. Ron DeSantis: described the passage as a "big win" for homeowners and has long advocated for eliminating property taxes.
Florida Democratic Party: opposed the amendment, along with public safety groups including the Florida Sheriff's Association.
Senate President Ben Albritton (Republican): opposed the amendment.
Former state lawmaker Jeff Brandes: campaigned against the amendment and led a lawsuit challenging its language; after passage, said the governor and Legislature own the fallout and must provide a clear plan to local governments.
Florida Realtors and state GOP: supported the amendment.
Florida Farm Bureau: supported Amendment 2.
What to Watch
- Whether the Legislature provides replacement funding or new revenue options for local governments facing budget shortfalls.
- The status of Jeff Brandes' lawsuit against Amendment 3.
- How local governments adjust their budgets in response to the revenue loss.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedDeSantis posted, “Big win on Amendment 3 for Florida homeowners!”Florida Phoenix: ““Big win on Amendment 3 for Florida homeowners!” DeSantis posted Tuesday night”
- SupportedBrandes wrote, “Florida passed Amendment 3. The governor and the Legislature own what comes next. They have the responsibility to manage the fallout.”Florida Phoenix: ““Florida passed Amendment 3. The governor and the Legislature own what comes next. They have the responsibility to manage the fallout,” he posted to social media Tuesday”
- SupportedDeSantis called Amendment 1 “a testament to our failed former speaker of the House” and said it was “deservedly going down in flames.”Florida Phoenix: ““Amendment 1 — a testament to our failed former speaker of the House — is deservedly going down in flames. Good riddance,” DeSantis posted to X Tuesday evening.”
- SupportedFlorida voters approved a constitutional amendment proposing a homestead property tax reduction.Florida Phoenix: “A far-reaching homestead property tax reduction proposed by the Legislature garnered the approval of more than 62% of the unofficial vote”
- SupportedThe homestead tax reduction was backed by DeSantis and crossed the 60% passage threshold.Florida Phoenix: “In the days leading up to the election, DeSantis hosted events throughout the state advocating for the amendment.”
- SupportedAmendment 3 received more than 62% of the unofficial vote, exceeding the 60% approval threshold.Florida Phoenix: “garnered the approval of more than 62% of the unofficial vote, besting the 60% approval required to be enshrined in the Florida Constitution.”
- SupportedState economists estimated Amendment 3 could reduce local government revenues by as much as $12 billion annually at full implementation.Florida Phoenix: “At full implementation, state economists estimated Amendment 3 would reduce local revenues by as much as $12 billion annually.”
- SupportedVoters rejected Amendment 1, which received just over 40% support.Florida Phoenix: “Voters rejected an increase in the capacity of the state’s budget stabilization fund”
- SupportedAmendment 1 proposed raising the budget stabilization fund cap from up to 10% to 25% of the previous year’s net revenue.Florida Phoenix: “the state will continue to maintain up to 10% of the previous year’s net revenue in the budget stabilization fund, instead of the 25% proposed by the amendment.”
- SupportedAmendment 2 had 58.25% support on Tuesday night, below the 60% passage threshold.Florida Phoenix: “That amendment would have excluded farming equipment like tractors from assessed taxes, but as of Tuesday night had 58.25%.”
- SupportedThe Legislature added language to protect property taxes collected for schools.Florida Phoenix: “The Legislature amended his plan to protect property taxes collected for schools.”