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Opponents say the amendment would eliminate a long-established component of the separation of church and state that prevents the government from funding groups that espouse religious beliefs. The amendment, they argue, would open the door to school vouchers that could be used to fund religious schools.
Who supports or opposes this:
The Florida Chamber supports this amendment. Florida Baptist State Board and Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops support this amendment. The League of Women Voters of Florida opposes this amendment.
IN Recommends: NO
This is a slippery slope that could have state funds promoting one religion over another.
Amendment 9:
Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouse of Military Veteran or First Responder
This would grant a full property tax exemption to the surviving spouses of military veterans who die while on active duty and to the surviving spouses of first responders who die in the line of duty. For a spouse to be eligible, the deceased veteran or first responder must have been a permanent resident of Florida as of Jan. 1 of the year they died. First responders are defined as law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics. The proposed amendment covers full-time, part-time and volunteer first responders. The state estimates that this amendment, if passed, would reduce local school and government tax revenues by about $600,000 statewide in the first year it is in effect.
Who supports or opposes this:
The Florida Chamber takes no position on this amendment. The League of Women Voters of Florida opposes this amendment.
IN Recommends: NO
Our counties and cities are having trouble funding libraries, law enforcement, mass transit and road construction. We don’t need to further handcuff them.
Amendment 10:
Tangible Personal Property Tax Exemption
This amendment would give an additional property tax exemption to low-income seniors who have lived in their home for more than 25 years. Counties and municipalities to grant an additional homestead tax exemption equal to the assessed value of homestead property if the property has a just value less than $250,000 to an owner who has maintained permanent residency on the property for not less than 25 years, who has attained age 65, and who has a low household income as defined by general law. If every city and county in the state were to approve the exemption, there would be a combined $18.5 million over the first two years it was offered. Supporters say this amendment will benefit elderly residents on fixed incomes. Opponents say it further erodes the tax base as county and cities try to meet budget shortfalls.
This amendment would double the tangible personal property tax exemption and allow local governments to increase the exemption. Supporters say this amendment will give tax relief to small businesses and help stimulate the economy. They say it provides a way for local governments to offer further reductions in the business tax. Statewide, the additional exemption (from $25,000 to $50,000) proposed would reduce property tax collections across the state by a combined $61 milWho supports or lion over its first three years. Opponents say this opposes this: amendment is part of a The Florida Chamtrickle-down economber takes no position ic theory that does on this amendment. not work. They say This is a slippery The League of it will strip millions Women Voters of slope that could in tax revenue Florida opposes have state funds from local governthis amendment. promoting one ments struggling religion over to provide basic IN Recomservices. another.
Who supports or opposes this:
The Florida Chamber supports this amendment. The League of Women Voters of Florida opposes this amendment.
IN Recommends: NO
Our counties and cities are having trouble funding libraries, law enforcement, mass transit and road construction. We don’t need to further handcuff them.
Amendment 11:
Additional Homestead Exemption; Low-Income Seniors Who Maintain Long-Term Residency on Property; Equal to Assessed Value
Student body presidents from the state’s 12 universities comprise the FSA. Over the years, several universities chose not to pay the dues and participate in the FSA, which meant they could not be the student representative on the Board of Governors. This amendment bypasses FSA. Supporters say this amendment guarantees every university has a chance to have their student body president be named as a representative of the Board of Governors. Opponents say this amendment is unnecessary.
Who supports or opposes this:
The Florida Chamber takes no position on this amendment. The League of Women Voters of Florida opposes this amendment.
IN Recommends: NO
The Florida Legislature needs to stop meddling with education. {in}
mends: NO
Our counties and cities are having trouble funding libraries, law enforcement, mass transit and road construction. We don’t need to further handcuff them.
Amendment 12:
Appointment of Student Body President to Board of Governors of the State University System
This amendment would change the way the state selects the student representative on the state university system’s Board of Governors by replacing the president of the Florida Student Association with the chair of the council of state university student body presidents as the student member. Such a council does not exist and will have to be created by the Board of Governors.
RESOURCES: Collins Center for Public Policy: collinscenter.org
League of Women Voters of Florida: thefloridavoter.org Florida Chamber of Commerce: flchamber.com Amendment 4:
Florida League of Cities: floridaleagueofcities.com
Amendment 5:
Florida Bar: floridabar.org
Amendments 6 & 8:
Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops: flaccb.org