A newly formed political committee is stepping into Florida’s intensifying debate over property taxes, urging voters to take a closer look at the Gov. Ron DeSantis-backed proposed constitutional amendment.
The group warns that the measure could have far-reaching consequences for local governments across the state.
Calling itself a grassroots effort, 3 Degrees Florida says it is not against property tax relief. Instead, the group is sounding the alarm that the amendment could make it harder for local governments to pay for essential services if it passes.
The group’s branding draws heavily on the Titanic disaster. It notes that at 11:03 p.m. on April 14, 1912, the ship was about 37 minutes from striking the iceberg and argues that “a change in course of barely three degrees would have been enough to avoid the iceberg.”
“Florida faces a similar moment today,” the campaign says. “The 3 Degrees Campaign is not about preserving the status quo. It’s about making a prudent course correction before Florida collides with unintended consequences that will be difficult and very expensive to reverse.”
The launch comes as opposition to the proposed constitutional amendment begins to organize. Until recently, supporters largely controlled the public conversation surrounding property tax relief. But with 3 Degrees Florida joining the previously announced Vote No on 3 campaign, voters are beginning to hear a competing argument: that while cutting property taxes may be popular, eliminating a major source of local government revenue without a replacement funding plan could carry significant consequences for cities, counties and the services they provide.
“We’re not asking Florida residents to vote against property tax relief,” the organization states on its website. “We’re asking them to look one step beyond what is being proposed. What happens after the property tax cut?”
At the heart of the committee’s message is a warning: cutting property tax revenue without a clear plan to replace those dollars could leave local governments facing tough choices. That could mean cuts to public safety, infrastructure, libraries, parks, and other services that communities rely on every day.
“A lower property tax bill isn’t a bargain if you end up paying more everywhere else,” the group’s website states.
The campaign is careful to emphasize that it is not opposed to tax relief. It argues that the amendment goes beyond simply lowering taxes.
“We’re not against property tax relief,” the organization says. “We’re citizens against unintended consequences, especially those we see coming.”
According to the campaign, “Florida homeowners deserve real property tax relief. But this amendment does more than offer relief. It puts local solutions on a collision course with a financial iceberg, limiting the ability of counties and cities to respond to the real costs of public safety, infrastructure needs, storm recovery, and services that support our quality of life.”
The group argues that locking these restrictions into the state constitution would tie the hands of local governments, making it harder for them to adapt to changing financial needs.
“Once those restrictions are written into the Constitution, communities lose flexibility,” the website states. “Local leaders may be forced to cut services, delay repairs, shift costs, or seek revenue in less transparent ways.”
Instead of changing the constitution, the campaign says Florida should look for other ways to provide property tax relief.
“The problem with the proposed amendment is not relief,” the group says. “It is relief without a responsible replacement plan.”
On its website, the group has posted a policy paper called ‘A Ballot that Buries the Cost,‘ along with local government impact data and an analysis titled ‘The Tax Shift.’ The goal is to get voters to take a hard look at how the amendment could affect cities and counties across Florida.
Rather than building a typical political machine, the committee says it wants to spark conversations among voters about what’s at stake.
“We’re a whole mess of Rs, Ds, NPAs, PTAs, HOAs, and the rest of the alphabet who call Florida home,” the website states. “You don’t need a title or political experience to make a difference.”
For this group, success means Floridians having informed discussions about the amendment, not just winning political points.
“Sometimes avoiding disaster requires only a three-degree change in course.”
According to state records, 3 Degrees Florida is a registered political committee based in Tallahassee and chaired by Derek Strickland.
The property tax amendment is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched issues on the ballot. Supporters say it would deliver lasting tax relief, while opponents are ramping up efforts to highlight the risks for local government budgets and public services.
Callmeishmael says
So, without property taxes, the potholes in our roads won’t get fixed, just like the potholes that aren’t getting fixed while we ARE paying property taxes.
I think I get it.
Ivana says
it means when you call 911 for someone breaking in the cops might not be able to come until tomorrow
Don Larsen says
If potholes become an isue it’s up to the city to fix or replace that area that goes under road and bridge that is already in the budget
Palm Coast Citizen says
At least now some of them do get fixed.
Laurel says
Callmeishmael: I’m not sure you do get it. It’s not that hard to get things done, but you have to put in some effort.
As I have written here before, a couple of times, you need to get your like minded neighbors together and go downtown (well, there is no downtown in P.C., but you know what I mean) to the Road Dept and ask where your road is on their repair list. Be cordial, be reasonable, and let it be known y’all won’t drop it, and be specific on exactly which potholes you are referring to. It will get fixed.
I don’t live in Palm Coast, but I have never had the same difficulty with municipalities that the people here complain about. It’s just not that hard if you go about it the right way.
However, I’m not certain the people here want to do that.
Callmeishmael says
Well, Laurel, since you don’t live here, I invite you to visit Palm Coast. I’ll be happy to drive you around so you can personally witness the condition of our roadways, which have been a top concern among residents for years.
The fecundity of your posts on Flagler Live is curious, considering you’re not a resident.
To each his own.
JimboXYZ says
We all knew this just from the last 5+ years (2021-present). They’ve been calling it inflation. Unaffordable housing doubled down under Biden-Harris. It wasn’t that appreciably better in 2025-present under Trump-Vance. The approvals of more housing inventory, the developers & Home Builder’s Assoc don’t want to pay the impact fees for that real number, so much that City of Palm Coast is being sued. We all saw how approving growth has impacted utilities for water. Garbage & Waste Pick Up/Collection was ahead of the Sewage Treatment Facilities. What does tha leave for a solution the nameless, faceless as the masses of Palm Coast to pick up the tab. The solutions re to move Police & Fire Department Services to the monthly utilities bill where Homestead Exemption wouldn’t apply for the $ 250K, yet would still be tied to every home in Palm Coast as it would be sent to every house with running water & sewage with Garbage Collection. Another resolution might entail charging every business and that would be an additional fee to retail pricing for food, goods & services. One thing is clear, those that are minimal & necessary infrastructure for food & clothing for any community got tax breaks to bring better paying jobs to Flagler County, jobs that really that haven’t actualized. The inflation still dogs any gains in wages & salaries for labor.
And the new homestead Exemption amounts, those are a 5 year waiting period to apply for new homeowners. In that regard new residential construction would have to inflate to cover what is a property tax break for anyone that’s been picking up the tab for the last 5+ years anyway.
The bottom line is cost of living will cost everyone more simply because inflation has been the Bidenomics of things. Trump tariffs ? how did the CPI Index for inflation drop under Trump with the tariffs ? We all know inflation would be worse under Biden-Harris 2 or Harris-Walz, because it was under Biden-Harris 1. That much is fact.
The dude says
“a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds”
Laurel says
Jimbo: That is not a fact, that is your fantasy. Your focus blinds you.
“Recessions are significantly less common under Democratic presidents, with 10 of the last 11 recessions starting under Republican presidents. Since 1947, only 2 out of 11 official recessions occurred during Democratic administrations.”
– PolitiFact, Wikipedia
If you are going to claim facts, make them real.
D. says
We are tired of hearing the local governments cry! We homeowners have been budgeting and crying for relief for years and our local governments NEVER cared!! Now they are crying for our help??! NO WAY! We educated homeowners are voting yes to abolish property taxes!!! Local government will be fine!! And we homeowners will finally get RELIEF!’
Palm Coast Citizen says
Local governments are us.
There’s revenue that’s required for emergency services, road maintenance, animal control, code enforcement, site development reviews, planning, traffic planning, libraries, parks, community engagement, surveys, public input.
A cut this deep will require near elimination of all of that without increasing fees and taxes in other ways. This measure has the real potential to see long-term, lower income homeowners paying more for fewer services.
JC says
Are you ready for fees left/right and the support of a bigger state government?
Laurel says
D: I’m still waiting for you to “educate” us. I asked you before, and you didn’t respond. Go ahead, now’s your chance.
You will still get a bill, it will not go away. Bills tend to get bigger, as bills do, but if this passes, it will get bigger with time, and learning, with less services.
Some here think they can let people pay “a small fee” for the use of parks, community centers, libraries, etc., but small fees will not keep the lights on. Will not pay for a small staff. Will not pay for maintenance. Will not pay for the air conditioning. Most services will be drastically reduced, or shut down completely.
You will have to depend on Tallahassee for your local needs. Good luck with that one!
Go ahead, educator, please tell us, what is the replacement plan? How, exactly, will you save money in your community after the midterms, and DeSantis is gone?
Laurel says
Again, 🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗
This tells me people don’t want to know the consequences of an open ended *plan.*
They don’t care that it’s being pushed through quickly, before an election.
They trust people who have not come through for them repeatedly in the near past.
SMH
Deborah Coffey says
You will get much less than you get now and you will pay much more to the STATE that supposedly says it will cover the needs of our community. It won’t. Hope you never need 911 or the fire department.
Benny says
Consolidate services-learn how to operate as one. Cut the fat and operate responsibly.
bill says
I wanna know who are these people this organization that’s behind this education of teaching us what the results would be behind us Homestead increase. I don’t need the education I’m voting. Yes I want the Homestead. I have worked for the city for 20 years and I have seen the bloated six figure salaries that these people are getting at the county and city level. It is totally insane. Start there. I have lived off old Kings Road for over 20 years. I have yet to see my secondary road repay aside from old Kings Road.
Deborah Coffey says
If we are truly a nation that fights FASCISM, vote “NO.”
Grandson Of A LEGAL Immigrant says
How do I know they WILL work? Flagler Live posts a story saying it won’t and “3 Degrees Florida,” is led by Derek Strickland, a democrat. Have a nice day.
Al says
When property taxes are raised homeowners have to redo their budgets, they don’t get a choice. Things have to be prioritized and some things have to be cut. The cities and counties can do the same thing, it won’t hurt them. The one thing that will hurt is the politician that wants to give everyone everything so they can get elected. They can drive older city vehicles, stop taking g trips to see what others are doing, build one less park, and give smaller raises like in private industry. They can also cut their staff as AI answers the phone and because they are so civic minded they can hold office with little or no pay. Maybe then you won’t have the same mayor or council for 20 years and new thoughts can enter the system with ideas to save instead of spend.
john stove says
B.S scare tactics that the “sky is falling”…..City and County need to tighten their belts and stop spending our money on THEIR VANITY PROJECTS. Enough is enough.
Vote “YES” on the amendment to lower our property taxes.
Deborah Coffey says
Do not come on here and complain when Tallahassee installs a state income tax to pay for all this. This whole “idea” is for political purposes…not to help you. Republicans don’t work for the people anymore; they work for corporate interests and their donors. It’s hard to believe people can’t see that by now!
Joe Black says
If you own 1 home, you’re property taxes will be reduced. You’ll probably pay more on the 2nd, 3rd or 4th home you own (or vacation home). I don’t see the problem. You may decide to sell those extra homes because of the increase in taxes, and that will increase the supply of homes. An increase in supply means a decrease in price. More people will be able to afford that 1st home.
Laurel says
But the little guy who tries to invest in a second property will be penalized, and discouraged. More than likely, pushed out of the market.
Look, the politicians involved in this are not doing this for your well being. They are doing it for short term political points, and many people are falling for it. A classic grift right before midterm elections. Where were they before? Where’s your healthcare that was to be “replaced”? I’m not hearing about “promises kept” anymore. Instead, y’all are distracted by potholes that actually can be fixed.
SMH
Deborah Coffey says
Spot on, Laurel.
Pogo says
MAGA math:
(0) – (100) = Something for nothing…
Laurel says
Sad, but true.
Villein says
If you think the government is poorly run now, wait until the excuse is we seriously don’t have any money. It’s simply too big of a change, too fast. In Flagler County, if you lose a third of the revenue, there will be serious consequences. Here are some of those:
-Loss of services that are not public safety,
-Selling of publicly owned land (parks, libraries, boat launches, preservation areas, parking lots, easements) – can’t maintain them, so privatize or clear to build more stuff
-Build out of AI data centers – This will provide some of the lost tax revenue, and voters will be more willing to accept them rather than a slew of fees and assessments
-tax burden gets shifted to commercial properties. You’ll pay more for every service and product.
-Second homes and vacant land will get dumped- this will hurt construction industry by glutting the market, which is lready struggling, with high-tax homes and land.
Mark S says
When is the last time the government had a good idea? Vote no.
Ed P says
Well the county administration is serious about cut backs.
Serious as a heart attack. ( sarcasm)
They removed dog poop bags from all beach entrances. Rumored savings 20k.
Suggest new signs: next to the dodge the dunes signs…
Hey tourists and visitors, no don’t just kick sand over the dog turds…bring your own bags and pick up.
Or
Can we get the volunteers on turtle patrol to flag the turds?
They say every journey starts with a first step.
Cindy says
Nothing is free (reduced for most residents in Flagler), we will be paying for the homestead exemption cuts one way or another, it’s all in sheep’s clothing to be revealed once the voters have approved the amendment. Those city/county salaries that posters say should be decreased to help subsidize the cuts, who do you think makes those salary decisions, us?
Why would the elected officials cut their salaries when they are the ones who decide their salaries. We the people will pay for those cuts in one form or another it will not come from common sense, but who benefits. Mind you, I would love to pay less property taxes but until the state can provide how that will affect us, I cannot in good conscious trust them to protect us from the wolf under the sheep’s clothes.