Florida’s proposed property tax amendment would likely pass if the November election were held today, with nearly two-thirds of voters in the state supporting it. But support fractures dramatically along party lines, with Republicans backing the change at nearly three times the rate of Democrats, new Sachs Media polling shows.
The amendment, which would exempt the first $250,000 of homestead property value from taxation on most local levies, has 64% overall support. However, 87% of Republicans would vote “yes,” compared with 62% of independents and just 35% of Democrats.
The measure’s broad appeal cuts across homeowner and renter lines, with nearly identical support from both groups at 65% and 64%, respectively, suggesting renters recognize that property tax values on homes could influence rental rates.
Sachs Media surveyed 850 Florida voters June 22–24 using a random sample of the state voter file. The poll had a 3.8-percentage-point margin of error at the 95% confidence level.
Beyond the vote itself, Floridians see the amendment as a net economic draw for the state; 42% believe it would make people more likely to move to Florida from another state, compared with 12% who think it would push people out of Florida.
Another 24% expect no real impact, with the remainder unsure of what effects the change would have.
Republicans are most optimistic about the effects of migration, with 52% believing it would attract new residents, compared with 46% of independents and 30% of Democrats. Democrats are more skeptical, with 20% expecting it would drive residents away, compared with just 2% of Republicans.
The amendment would also have divergent effects on housing decisions. Among homeowners, 57% said they would be more likely to stay in their current home if the measure passes, with Republican homeowners most strongly committed to remaining in place at 66%, compared with 55% of independents and 43% of Democrats.
Renters, meanwhile, see it as an opportunity to enter homeownership, with 42% saying they would be more likely to buy a home. Republicans again lead in optimism with 61% saying they’d consider a purchase, followed by independents at 47% and Democrats at 29%.
Most Floridians expect home values to remain stable if the amendment passes. Fifty-four percent predict no change, while 33% expect values to increase and 12% anticipate a decline.
Republicans are more bullish on home appreciation at 42%, compared with 34% of independents and 22% of Democrats, with 25% expecting values to decline, versus 3% of Republicans.
Lawmakers passed legislation to place the proposed amendment, a priority for Gov. Ron DeSantis, on the Nov. 3 ballot on party-line votes during a Special Session on June 2. If approved
by at least 60% of voters, it would progressively raise homestead exemptions to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with subsequent increases tied to inflation.
School taxes would remain capped at $25,000, and new residents would start with a $50,000 exemption, reaching full benefits after 5 years.
State economists have estimated the amendment could cost local governments $11.86 billion annually once fully implemented, with impacts accelerating over time. By fiscal year 2028-29, counties could lose $8.775 billion in revenue. Larger urban counties like Miami-Dade would face $445 million in cuts, while smaller rural counties dependent on homestead property taxes could lose up to 35% of their revenue.
Supporters argue the measure addresses inadequate homestead relief, counteracts over-taxation by local governments and rightly returns property tax revenue to residents as home values have appreciated.
Critics note its effects haven’t been properly studied and warn it would force severe cuts to services, from public safety to libraries, while state budget pressures limit Tallahassee’s ability to backstop local government shortfalls.
–Jesse Scheckner, Florida Politics
Deborah Coffey says
Of course. Me, Me, Me, I, I, I Floridians can’t think beyond themselves. They voted for Trump, too…twice. They voted for DeSantis…twice. They’ll be sorry again and again and, the rest of us will continue to pay the price.
Shark says
I’m voting yes. It’s time for the Palm Coast gravy train to stop.
JimboXYZ says
I’m still on the fence, with passage and the uncertainty for the budgeting process will usher in higher costs of living. If any of us thought the annual budget process & millage rate increases was a nerve racking series of articles for the next round of inflation ? Where the revenue is taxed, priced and collected is going to cost anyone more, because more is what they’re after, is anyone’s guess. What if Flagler county homestead exemption increases & all they do is spread that out over the appraisal values for higher millage rates ? Taxes will go up their usual total amount, but inflation will continue to make housing even more unaffordable. Growing the value of one’s home for a resale is fool’s gold. Because everywhere else is going to experience that same hyper inflation. Used horse trading is all that is happening. Industries that get tax shelters, avoid taxation at all costs, trying to turn $ 150K houses into $ 500K houses on bullshit & lies of self proclaimed expertise, making those numbers up because they need money to pay off their debts.
Alfin early on wanted to see at least $ 300-400K housing prices, property tax increases to at least $ 3-4K & more. Wanna see it in action ? Look at any Zillow listing in the section for Price History & Tax History in neighboring counties. If Government is showing up with a shiny new deal, chances are it’s got hidden costs that are inflationary increases that aren’t in your best interests. Anyone really think this growth bullshit Vision of 2050 is better service for bleeping anything for the entire bleeping decade thus far ? Anyone actually thinking it’s gotten appreciably better or will ? Covid was nothing more than a reset button to go after inheritances and further put the masses behind. There are winners & losers, there are more losers than there ever will be winners. That lottery of life.
Laurel says
People today don’t bother to think things out. Dingleberry DeSantis throws the bait out, and predictably, the fish bite without knowing the consequences.
A disturbing thought: The average IQ range of an American is 89-115. The estimated IQ of a gorilla is 88.
Gorillas are nicer, and work together better.
Taxpayer says
Anyone that approves this ridiculous idea doesn’t know what their doing. Services in your towns are going to be cut. This is not in the favor of property owners only to the State of Florida which is taking services away from the property owners. Don’t be a fool and vote for it.
Mr. Bill says
Vote your pocketbook.
If you are paying $5K per year now and invest your TAX for 10 yr. @4.5% interest (cd). You will have over 77K additional money in 10 years.
77K equals new car, a new boat, 2 acres of raw land in Fl to do what you want. OR Full ride education to any Fla. College for your kids or grandkids–for 4 years and then some.
Or…you could just let Palm Coast Commissioners vote themselves a new raise or pay for a new govt. study on how much new taxes they are gonna need.
And don’t forget. in govt. spending, what you don’t spend you lose.
Better spend it!
VOTE YES
JimboXYZ says
That would imply the inflation wouldn’t happen. Investing that money to buy something else in 10 years, the inflation will eat that money before you invest it. Signaling to the corporations that anyone has more money has always been viewed as the signal for short term inflation to be 1st in line for that stimulus. Bush era, even the Covid recovery money have always ended with short & long term gouging. Anyone believe that inflation won’t continue as it has since Biden-Harris every month, every year ? That’s what this legislation is financial hardship for wealth transfers.
Foreclosures just keep climbing. The Homestead Exemption legislation is designed to offer that much relief, but the trade off is less government services, that seems to be declining for service satisfaction. Anyone happy with the roads for condition (micro-surfacing (really pot hole repairs) vs complete repavement), grid lock traffic, the crime that requires more Officers ?
End of the day, a lot of this is individual mandate, slow the growth & the inflation and there aren’t as many problems ? Uggghhhh, recent renter moved out, she has rats next door. Pest control came buy to get rid of them. Wouldn’t be because she had a small farm in Palm Coast with the 4 Chickens & & coop in the back yard. Next door to me, it is/was ground zero for the next Avian Bird Flu virus & Bubonic plague. Just gets better doesn’t it ? Gotta love that Vision of 2050 for that ? That lower standard & quality of life wasn’t in the Alfin Vision of 2050 brochure, at least not the one that was the sales pitch for state grants that never existed, and even if they did, the cuts were never going to pay for enough of the projects to ever be funded to pay for themselves.