Lawsuit challenges constitutional amendment that would increase homestead exemption

A court in Leon County will decide if a ballot measure allowing Floridians to increase the homestead exemption to $250,000 complies with the law. Save Our Voters from Misleading Ballot Language, Inc. is suing Secretary of State Cord Byrd and Attorney General James Uthmeier, arguing that the language is "biased and misleading." The plaintiffs claim the title "Save our homes from excessive property taxes" is a "campaign slogan" and take issue with promises that "core services" would be funded, taxpayers would be protected, and "fairness" would be ensured, given that renters and those moving to Florida after the end of the year would be deprived of relief. Two former Mayors, Thomas Campenni of Stuart and Michael Davey of Key Biscayne, are named as plaintiffs. The case was filed one day after state economists said the increased tax break could deprive local governments of nearly $12 billion in taxes. Gov. Ron DeSantis has argued that local governments can handle the impact, which he has framed as a boon to cash-strapped working and middle-class homeowners. Under the amendment, local governments would be limited in what they can fund, including public safety, infrastructure, schools, debt service, and pensions. Commuter counties with lower commercial development would be most adversely affected; St. Lucie could face a 35% revenue loss. DeSantis has said "entrenched interests" would mobilize against the plan, even as he has argued the version approved by the Legislature dilutes what he framed as the "most transformational" property tax reduction ever contemplated. Critics include the Wall Street Journal, which balked at what it sees as a "progressive" pitch, and Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano, who said the proposal could cause problems for outstanding bonds. Lee County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell said phasing the tax break in over a decade would give him more comfort. Florida TaxWatch and the Florida Policy Institute also balk at potential impacts, noting that the proposal would worsen the inequity of shifting billions in property taxes from homesteads to non-homestead property. The amendment would lift homestead exemptions to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with further increases tied to the Consumer Price Index. School taxes would not be subject to the increased exemption limit and would remain at $25,000. Newer residents would qualify for a $50,000 exemption to start. The amendment would cap assessment increases for other property at 5% a year. An increasingly cloudy state budget picture would hamper Tallahassee's ability to fill gaps in local spending plans.

(Source：The Miami Times)