Democratic Party of Highlands County

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

08/31/2026

https://www.midfloridanewspapers.com/triangle_sun/local-governments-plan-budgets-with-or-without-amendment-3/article_9d034680-859e-4c55-9867-6a6294aee8d7.html

Nov. 3, Florida voters will be marking their ballots for several major races, including that of governor. They’ll also be deciding the fate of three amendments, one of which has

08/31/2026

"Many cities and counties would become dependent on the good will of Tallahassee lawmakers — and anyone who thinks legislators don’t play favorites hasn’t been paying attention. In the meantime, a large number of Florida residents and businesses would reap no benefit from this [property tax] amendment at all."
-Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, August 23, 2026

08/31/2026

"Amendment 3 will significantly reduce locally controlled revenue available to Florida’s cities and counties. Without a clear and sustainable replacement for that revenue, the amendment will place additional pressure on funding for public libraries and other essential local services. For libraries, reduced local resources will mean fewer hours, reduced staffing and programming, fewer materials and technology resources, and will seriously reduce access to services for the communities that depend on them." - The Florida Library Association

08/31/2026

"Florida’s 28 taxpayer-funded hospitals and healthcare taxing districts would be unable to provide some of the medical services they now offer if voters cut property taxes in November, a report issued Thursday says.
"The new report released by Florida Policy Institute, a nonprofit that researches state budgets and policies, looks at the big-picture financial impact on public hospitals if Amendment 3 passes in the general election in November and estimates a $323 million loss over the next three years."

08/31/2026

"What homeowner doesn’t like the sound of a property-tax cut? More money in the bank account. A little breathing room.

Here’s the catch: Amendment 3 doesn’t make the cost of local government disappear. It changes who pays for it. The “tax cut” is likely to become a tax shift, the kind of decision we usually regret, like a drunk text or a bad karaoke video. But a constitutional amendment can’t be deleted. This one’s permanent — a face tattoo, not a haircut."

Tampa Bay Times Columnist Graham Brink, August 28, 2026

08/31/2026

High-level DeSantis administration officials told the grand jury could not remember details of key conversations about the “misappropriated” taxpayer funds.

08/31/2026