Gov. Ron DeSantis promoted Amendment 3 on the November ballot at an event billed as an official state of Florida function in St. Petersburg. He was joined by U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. The governor, who is term-limited, made the case that the proposed homestead exemption increase would help homeowners and that local governments can absorb the cost.
DeSantis held a similar roundtable in South Florida, the source reports, as the 2026 general election approaches. He repeated arguments he has made in recent months: the amendment does not shift taxes onto other property owners, local governments should focus on core services, and money added to local budgets since 2019 is surplus. The source notes that today’s dollar buys about 76% of what it did in 2019.
Moody said home values have skyrocketed and homeowners need protection. Simpson said residents should not feel trapped in paid-off homes because of fear of higher property taxes. Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, a Senate District 21 candidate, said police funding would remain a priority for lawmakers.
Former Florida Realtors president Tim Weisheyer spoke as well. His organization is part of a $21 million campaign backing the measure.
State economists estimate the amendment would eventually remove $11.83 billion per year from local budgets, according to the Office of Economic and Demographic Research. The loss would start near $5 billion in Fiscal Year 2027-28 and grow over time. The Florida Association of Counties projects Miami-Dade would lose $445 million by Fiscal Year 2028-29, Broward about $326 million and Palm Beach County’s loss is not stated in the source.
For South Florida residents, the measure would limit how counties and cities use property tax revenue to a defined list of services, including public safety, schools and infrastructure.
