TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Leon County judge ordered government attorneys on Monday to rewrite the November ballot initiative aiming to increase homestead exemptions for non-school taxes from $50,000 to $250,000 over two years.
Leon County Circuit Judge David Frank ruled that the proposed Florida Amendment 3’s title and summary were “clearly and conclusively defective,” and “more akin to a political slogan ... not fair or neutral.”
The responsibility to redraft the state constitutional amendment as it appears on the ballot falls on Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
“We’re giving it a hard look,” Uthmeier told reporters in Panama City.
The title: SAVE OUR HOMES FROM EXCESSIVE PROPERTY TAXES
The summary: The amendment “benefits Florida taxpayers” by “ensuring funding for core services,” “protecting small businesses,” and “ensuring fairness for Florida residents.”
Uthmeier has 10 days to respond. Frank sided with Jamie Cole, a Fort Lauderdale-based attorney who represented Save Our Voters, the group that filed the ballot integrity lawsuit in Leon County, which names Uthmeier and Secretary of State Cord Byrd.
“The purpose of a ballot summary is to explain what an amendment would do, not to advocate for its adoption,” Frank wrote in his 18-page ruling released on Monday.
Opponents of Florida Amendment 3 include groups concerned about the cuts’ impact on police officers, deputies, firefighters, and other local public servants.
The ballot text “defectively omits at least one material fact. The amendment purports to change the constitutional baseline of city and county power by placing in the Constitution for the first time the Legislature’s right to control ad valorem tax spending,” Frank wrote.
Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed Amendment 3. The state legislature passed it in June to increase the homestead exemption for longstanding property owners from $150,000 in 2027 to $250,000 in 2028.
On Monday, the Florida Sheriff’s Association released an official statement against the amendment warning that it will “potentially” allow Tallahassee to control local budgets and increase police response times.
“High property values and the number of second homes puts the Florida Keys in a better position,” Sheriff Rick Ramsay said.
Cole will also have 10 days to dispute Uthmeier’s redraft. The amendment needs more than 60% approval in Florida to pass in November.
Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero Stutz and Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony did not respond to Local 10 News requests for comment for this report.
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