Overview
- In early June the Legislature placed a constitutional amendment on the Nov. 3 ballot to phase the homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028 while excluding school levies, lowering non‑homestead assessment growth to 5 percent, adding portability and residency rules, and restricting local spending to defined core services.
- On Thursday a nonprofit and two former mayors sued in Leon County arguing the ballot summary headlined 'SAVE OUR HOMES FROM EXCESSIVE PROPERTY TAXES' is promotional and asked a court to order Attorney General James Uthmeier to rewrite neutral language before ballots go to voters.
- A House staff analysis and local officials warn the amendment could remove billions in annual ad valorem revenue—about $8.4 billion in the staff estimate—forcing local governments to cut services, raise fees, or shift taxes to businesses, renters, or non‑homestead owners.
- Governor Ron DeSantis says lawmakers 'diluted' his original, broader plan by stripping a state backstop and school‑tax relief and has pledged to press for a trust fund and other restorations during a post‑election implementation session if voters approve.
- Coverage and commentary split along political lines with some outlets framing the measure as middle‑class tax relief and critics saying it redistributes tax burdens, and a court decision over the ballot summary could change what voters actually see in November.