| Official Ballot Summary:
(Click here for a PDF of
the full text.) |
Proposing amendment of the State Constitution to increase the maximum additional homestead exemption for low-income seniors from $25,000 to $50,000 and to schedule the amendment to take effect January 1, 2007.
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| Amendment Type: |
Legislative/Joint Resolution, this amendment was placed on the ballot by the Florida Legislature during the 2006 Legislative Session. It was required to pass both the Senate and House by a 60% vote to be eligible for the ballot.
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| Sponsor: |
Florida Legislature
HJR 353 (2006 Session)
Sponsor: Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera (R-Miami)
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| Known Proponents: |
Unknown
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| Known Opponents: |
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Unknown
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| Were Paid Signature Gatherers Used to Place This on the Ballot? |
N/A - Amendment was placed on the ballot via the Legislature. It was required to pass both the Senate and House by a 60% vote.
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| Arguments: |
| FOR |
| Low-income seniors* are vulnerable to
sudden increases in property tax assessments, because many live on fixed
incomes and simply can’t keep pace with increasing property taxes. This
amendment will authorize the Legislature to allow local government to potentially ease tax burdens on those
most threatened by increasing property taxes. |
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| AGAINST |
Property taxes generate a major source of
revenue for local government. Reducing property taxes could financially
devastate counties resulting in massive tax increases to cover revenue needs for
schools and other local priorities. Therefore, reducing property tax burden on
owners could result in a shift of tax burdens from the homestead property owner
to other taxpayers.
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| What Your Vote Means: |
| YES |
| If approved by voters, Amendment #6 would
authorize the Legislature to allow counties to
increase the maximum additional homestead exemption for low-income seniors* from
$25,000 to $50,000 effective January 1, 2007. Local counties have an existing
option of adding an additional $25,000, therefore, a low-income senior*
could receive an exemption from property taxes as high as $75,000 |
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| NO |
If Amendment #6 is not approved by voters,
homestead exemptions would remain as currently listed in the Constitution:
• $25,000 homestead exemption to all owners of “homestead” properties
• Allows local governments the option of offering an additional exemption to
low-income seniors* of up to $25,000 (established in 1982) |
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| Financial Impact: |
| There is not a direct financial impact on state
government. If all counties were to fully implement the increased exemption and
millage rates remain the same, it could have an impact of negative $36 million
to local revenues. Note: The
Financial Impact Estimating Conference is not required to adopt and prepare
official financial impact statements to accompany proposed constitutional
amendments which are placed on the ballot by the Florida Legislature. |
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| *Low-income seniors: 65 years old or above with
a household income that does not exceed $20,000 |
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