Florida voters approve Amendment 3, triggering projected $12 billion in annual local revenue losses
The 62 percent approval rate exceeds the constitutional threshold, prompting state estimates that municipalities will face substantial fiscal shortfalls while Republicans retain all statewide executive offices.
By Natalie Cooper ·
Florida voters approved Amendment 3 on Wednesday, a measure that will write a property tax cut into the state constitution. The amendment secured 62 percent of the vote, surpassing the 60 percent threshold required for passage. This outcome creates a direct conflict between state tax policy and local government budgets, as the state’s own economic analysis predicts a recurring impact of nearly $12 billion in lost revenues for cities and counties.
The fiscal strain will develop in stages. Initial projections indicate that local governments could lose nearly $5 billion in the first year following the amendment’s implementation. That figure is expected to rise to $9 billion in the second year. State officials have not yet outlined how municipalities will cover this shortfall if they intend to maintain current service levels.
The national Democratic surge had a limited effect in Florida, with Republicans winning every statewide race. Byron Donalds claimed the governorship with a 1.3 percent margin over David Jolly, making him the first Black governor in Florida history. James Uthmeier expanded his lead as Attorney General by defeating Jose Javier Rodriguez by 15 points, while Blaise Ingoglia retained the Chief Financial Officer post with a margin of less than 2 percent against Annette Taddeo. In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Ashley Moody defeated progressive challenger Angie Nixon by 2.9 percent.
Zander Moricz, a youth activist who worked on Nixon’s campaign, stated that the candidate will run again in 2028. Moricz noted on social media that the opportunity for a future win is real and dependent on continued hard work. In the House of Representatives, results were mixed; Kathy Castor won her Tampa district by 4.3 percent, while Greg Steube re-elected in a neighboring district by an 18 percent margin. Democrat Kelly Kirschner lost to Sydney Gruters by 4.2 percent.
The Republican supermajority in the Florida state legislature has ended. Sixteen state House seats are shifting to Democrats, removing the party’s complete control of the lower chamber. Republicans also lost their state Senate supermajority by one seat. A key factor was the retention of state Senate District 14 by Democrat Brian Nathan, who defeated Republican Josie Tomkow by a margin of 52.24 percent to 47.76 percent.
Local races in Sarasota County remained firmly in Republican hands. Jim DeNiro won his seat by a 13 percent margin over Democrat Julie London. In the sole runoff for the Sarasota School Board, Heidi Brandt defeated Jimmy Glover by the same 13 percent margin. Glover, who would have been the first Black member of the board, posted on Facebook that the traditional image of board leadership remained unchanged, though progress continues. On the City of Sarasota commission, voters elected Jen Ahearn-Koch and Flo Entler to at-large seats, with Ahearn-Koch receiving 40.7 percent of the vote.
Voter turnout in Sarasota County reached a record 67.3 percent. The election concluded with Democrats regaining a power factor in Tallahassee, but the immediate focus shifts to how local governments will address the revenue gaps created by the constitutional tax cut.
