[Rainger99]

As of now, with about 78% of the votes in, Florida Amendment 3 Which Seeks to Expand the Homestead Property Tax Exemption has 58.5% approval.

It needs 60% in order to pass.

Yes
3,894,639 +58.5%

No
2,762,385 +41.5%

Total reported
6,657,024

[shut the front door]

I didn't like the way they included way too many professions. If it had been first responders, military and veterans, I would have voted yes.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by shut the front door

I didn't like the way they included way too many professions. If it had been first responders, military and veterans, I would have voted yes.

I think the homestead exemption should be be based on household income. You could have a first responder married to a rich banker or lawyer making millions of dollars a year and they would still get the exemption.

It is interesting that the amendment passed both the House and Senate with only one opposing vote but appears to be rejected by the voters.

[blueash]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

I think the homestead exemption should be be based on household income. You could have a first responder married to a rich banker or lawyer making millions of dollars a year and they would still get the exemption.

It is interesting that the amendment passed both the House and Senate with only one opposing vote but appears to be rejected by the voters.

Keep in mind how our Florida legislature works. It is controlled by a single party, overwhelmingly, due to very effective creative district boundaries such that the percentage of seats held by each party is not at all representative of the percentage of votes each party receives in the election. And once that majority party picks an issue it almost always passes as there is no effective opposition. Thus an issue likes this is going to pass the legislature. Members of the opposing party can vote however they want, but they know their vote will be used by the other side in the next set of election commercials..

"Your representative voted against a tax cut for first responders and the military"

That true but completely misleading kind of political ad is impossible to refute as it requires detailed understanding of process and reason which will not fit in a 30 second TV ad or a mailer. So easier to vote yes and avoid the attack ad in the future.

Additionally, one can believe that voters should decide this kind of issue. The vote in the legislature is NOT whether to implement the tax cut, rather it is simply to allow the voters to decide the issue. So if one supports voter choice, you can vote yes as a legislator and no as a voter on the same issue

[Babubhat]

No more favored groups. Shifts the burden to others

Orlando sentinel.

Florida voters rejected three proposed constitutional amendments Tuesday that would have provided property-tax breaks and eliminated the state’s Constitution Revision Commission.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by blueash

Keep in mind how our Florida legislature works.

I really don’t know how it works but I am learning!

[charmed59]

I live in a premier neighborhood that has many first responders and retired military. I also have relatives that fall into those categories. I absolutely believe deserve the greater than $100K a year pensions they have earned. However, I don’t think they need more help with homestead exemptions.

[collie1228]

Bottom line is whenever you favor one group, another group has to pay more taxes. I'm not willing to pay more to give out political favors.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by collie1228

I'm not willing to pay more to give out political favors.

The proponents of the amendment were never able to tell the have-nots how much more they would pay if it were approved.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

The proponents of the amendment were never able to tell the have-nots how much more they would pay if it were approved.

Perhaps because they didn't want to say how much it was actually worth.... about $280 in Sumter County.

Sure, $280 isn't nothing and if anyone wants to send me the cash I'll take it but about $5/week is not life-changing money.

[clossonjunk]

Originally Posted by shut the front door

I didn't like the way they included way too many professions. If it had been first responders, military and veterans, I would have voted yes.

It actually isn't going to be automatically granted to every worker. Only those who live in a home valued at a certain level will qualify. The first level are homes valued between 70k-100k, the second level are homes valued between 100k-150k. There aren't too many people that live in those priced homes AND are first responders, veterans, teachers, etc. Those married to rich spouses definitely wouldn't be living in low valued homes. This amendment would have helped only the neediest few.

[Sandy and Ed]

Originally Posted by shut the front door

I didn't like the way they included way too many professions. If it had been first responders, military and veterans, I would have voted yes.

Agree, sort of. My opinion was that it should only include retired folks in those professions an those who can prove EVERY year that they are CURRENTLY working in the profession. Forget about including teachers. Only those that put their lives on the line or who work to save life and limb. Not the educators. Again just my opinion.

[DeeCee Dubya]

Nail on the head!

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by DeeCee Dubya

Nail on the head!

who did??

[Debfrommaine]

Originally Posted by charmed59

I live in a premier neighborhood that has many first responders and retired military. I also have relatives that fall into those categories. I absolutely believe deserve the greater than $100K a year pensions they have earned. However, I don’t think they need more help with homestead exemptions.

I may be wrong but I thought I read it is only for active military, not retired.