On September 3, 2025, James Uthmeier addressed the National Conservatism Conference in Washington D.C. A significant legal development arose regarding Amendment 3, a Florida property tax proposal.
A Tallahassee judge highlighted flaws in the amendment’s ballot language. The language needed revision for voters to make informed decisions. Leon County Circuit Judge David Frank ruled the wording “defective” in his 18-page decision.
Voters deserve a fair, clear, and accurate ballot statement for crucial decisions. The current language misleads.
Judge Frank criticized the title, “Save Our Homes From Excessive Property Taxes,” as being politically biased rather than neutral.
Amendment 3 is controversial. Initiated by Gov. Ron DeSantis, it planned to raise the homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. Another part aimed to lower non-homestead property assessment increases from 10% to 5% annually.
The Republican Legislature amended the proposal to protect funding for public schools, which DeSantis did not favor. He later disassociated himself from the proposal due to these changes.
A bipartisan group contested the amendment, including former Sen. Jeff Brandes and U.S. Rep. Al Lawson. They demanded it be called “Save Our Voters From Misleading Ballot Language.” Attorney General James Uthmeier, running for election, must revise the wording within 10 days. Any further challenges must also occur soon after to meet election deadlines.
Judge Frank stated the ballot had numerous fairness issues. It inaccurately used subheads like “ensuring funding for core services” and “protecting small businesses.” These claims could mislead voters about decreasing revenues for local services, such as police and fire departments.
The summary promises “fairness for Florida residents,” but it could disadvantage renters. They might face higher costs, or residents arriving after 2026 could be ineligible for certain benefits for years.
Another significant issue is the potential shift in “home rule.” This principle lets local governments manage property tax revenues. Inclusion of legislative control over ad valorem tax spending would challenge this concept.
Voters will decide on Amendment 3 if it reaches the ballot without misleading language. This clarity would ensure voters understand the proposed changes.
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