Florida Amendment 3: property tax cut on the ballot raises questions over police, fire and EMS funding
Florida voters will decide in November on Amendment 3, which would cut property taxes and require remaining revenue to fund public safety, schools and infrastructure. Supporters say public safety is protected; opponents and fact-checkers note the text sets no priority or minimum funding level for police, fire and EMS.
Florida voters will vote in November on Amendment 3, a proposed property tax cut that would also require local governments to use remaining property tax revenue for public safety, schools, infrastructure, natural resources and other critical needs. Realtors, sheriffs and local officials are clashing over whether it would strip funding from police, fire and emergency services.
Supporters: The "Vote Yes on 3" campaign run by Florida Realtors says opponents overhype the risk of deep cuts to public services, and that the measure requires local governments to use property taxes solely for public safety, schools, infrastructure and other critical needs. Republican gubernatorial nominee U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds said on Oct 1 in Lakeland that the governor and Legislature ensured the first money local governments spend must go to local law enforcement, fire departments and emergency personnel.
Opponents: A TV ad from "Vote No on 3", a coalition including sheriffs and city and county leaders, says 60% of property taxes go to public safety and that the amendment means deep cuts to sheriffs, firefighters and first responders. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said on Sept 15 that law enforcement and EMS are the largest chunk of city and county budgets. Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly said he is voting no over concerns it could defund law enforcement and local services.
What the text actually does: PolitiFact reported that the amendment requires remaining tax revenue to be used for public safety and several other local services, but does not mandate that police, fire and EMS be funded first or set a minimum funding level. Former Republican state senator Jeff Brandes, founder of the Florida Policy Project, said nothing in the amendment guarantees police or fire get funded first or are not cut. Florida Realtors acknowledged the measure does not require specific public safety spending levels and said the Legislature will need to provide further guidance.
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