Senate President Ben Albritton has announced he will vote ‘no’ on Amendment 3, a proposal seeking to expand the homestead property tax exemption. Albritton stated that the measure would eliminate up to 30% of resources for Florida’s rural counties, impacting essential services for law enforcement, emergency response, and critical infrastructure.
Albritton said the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is scheduled to meet in 2027 and suggested that is a better venue to vet such a major proposal. Both the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Florida TaxWatch have made similar remarks. If approved by 60% of the voters on Nov. 3, Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption for all non-school taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028.
Opponents have warned that loss of tax revenue could put damaging pressure on local budgets, public safety, and other community services. State economists have estimated that, if passed, Amendment 3 would reduce revenue by $5 billion in its first year and as much as $12 billion annually when fully implemented. That’s why it’s opposed by organizations throughout the state, including the Florida Sheriffs Association, the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police, and the Florida Association of Professional Firefighters.
Albritton has previously said he ‘stands with law enforcement’ regarding issues such as firearms regulations, and he repeated that in his statement, saying, ‘I proudly stand with the Florida Sheriffs, first responders and my neighbors across rural Florida.’
Albritton’s announcement is a bit of an about-face. After the Florida Senate this June voted to put the property tax cut plan on the ballot, Albritton hailed the decision. ‘Owning your own home has been the American dream since our nation was founded 250 years ago. What better way to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary than a massive property tax cut through a $250,000 homestead exemption for Floridians,’ Albritton said on June 2 in a written statement.
Albritton represents all of Charlotte, DeSoto, and Hardee counties and parts of Lee and Polk counties in the Florida Senate. Although his tenure as president of the Senate ends next month, he won’t be term-limited out of his seat until 2028. Florida’s previous Senate President, Kathleen Passidomo, also recently announced that she, too, will vote against Amendment 3.
