STATEWIDE, Fla. - This week, nearly two dozen organizations representing Florida’s environmental conservation, civic, and community interests released an open letter urging Floridians to consider the potential impacts of Amendment 3 on local governments, water management districts, and the public services that communities rely on.
Encompassing organizations from around the state, this coalition is united in its shared commitment to protecting Florida’s land and water and ensuring Floridians have access to parks, beaches, preserves, and other outdoor spaces. If it passes, Amendment 3 could significantly reduce local government revenues by increasing the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes and changing how local governments can use property tax revenue.
“Time and time again, Floridians have proven that no matter where we live or what political party we support, our love of green space and affordable access to outdoor recreation is a tie that binds us,” the letter states.
The signatories are particularly concerned about the potential impacts on county and municipal budgets. Property taxes are a major source of local revenue, supporting a range of community services and infrastructure that are essential for Florida’s residents and environment, including parks, land conservation, flood protection, and emergency services.
Florida’s five water management districts also play a central role in flood protection, water shortage planning, land management, water use, and aquifer recharge.
The state’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research estimates that Amendment 3 could ultimately reduce local government revenues by nearly $12 billion annually, with the projected reduction increasing over several fiscal years if the amendment takes effect.
“Florida voters who are seeking relief and affordability should know that Amendment 3 is, in fact, the most expensive and dangerous choice on the ballot,” the coalition wrote.
Organizations signing the letter:
- 5 Gyres Institute
- Apalachicola Riverkeeper
- Earth Ethics, Inc.
- Environmental Council of Volusia and Flagler Counties (ECVF)
- Florida Keys Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America
- Florida Springs Council
- Healthy Gulf
- Hold the Line Coalition
- League of Women Voters of Florida
- North Central Florida Indivisible
- Respect Southeast Gainesville
- Rethink Energy Florida
- Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation
- Sea Turtle Conservancy
- Sierra Club Florida
- Southeast Volusia Audubon Society
- The Institute for Regional Conservation
- VoteWater
- Wakulla Springs Alliance
- WWALS Watershed Coalition Inc.
To read the full letter, click here.
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