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    • Newspaper Endorsements on Homestead Exemption
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    Newspaper Endorsements on Homestead Exemption

    Umito Posted on

    Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

    Do you know the Florida Amendments 2024?

    Florida voters will face six proposed constitutional amendments during the November 5 election. Each needs at least 60 percent of the vote to be enshrined in the Florida Constitution.

    Still not sure what each amendment means and whether you will vote “yes” or “no”? In this story we highlight Amendment 5 to help you prepare Election Dayi.e. from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday November 5, 2024.

    If you would like to vote in advance on the candidates and the six Florida amendments, early voting will run through Sunday, November 3, with hours and days vary by county.

    Early voting: Here’s when it starts in Florida, including time, date and by county

    With less than two weeks until the election, if you’re still not sure what Amendment 5 — the “inflation-adjusted property exception” amendment — means and whether you’re going to vote “yes” or “no” “, we will explain everything to you.

    In this story, we highlight Amendment 5 and offer recommendations (where available) from the editorial boards of two Florida newspapers from the USA TODAY NETWORK and four other newspapers in the Sunshine State. Although Florida is home to nearly two dozen newspapers, with 16 sites part of the USA TODAY network, a small fraction of newspapers provide recommendations to their editorial boards during U.S. general elections. However, every newspaper has covered Florida’s amendments in the 2024 elections with articles explaining what it means for their readers. Below is a list of newspapers with links to their sites if you want to further research Amendment 5.

    How many newspapers are there in Florida?

    Below is a list of Florida newspapers:

    Which Florida newspapers offer editorial board recommendations or endorsements of Florida amendments?

    For the 2024 general election, in most cases, the editorial boards of six Florida newspapers have offered recommendations or advice – endorsements on how to vote – on the six Florida amendments on the ballot .

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    Amendment 5: provides for an inflation adjustment of the property tax exemption

    FLORIDA TODAY’s John A. Torres discusses Amendment 5 with USA Today Florida Network reporters John Kennedy and James Call.

    Florida Amendments 2024: Amendment 5annual adjustments to the value of certain homestead exemptions, also called a “homestead exemption change”

    Sponsor: Florida Legislature

    Summary: Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to require annual inflation adjustment of the value of current or future property exemptions that apply only to levies other than school district levies and for which any person who has legal or equitable title to real property and maintains the permanent residence of the owner or another person who is legally or naturally dependent on the owner is eligible. This amendment comes into force on January 1, 2025.

    TCPalm, also known as Treasure Coast Newspapers, is part of the USA TODAY Network, covering Indian River County, Martin County and St. Lucie County in Florida.

    TCPalm: NO

    THE TCPalm Editorial Board recommends a no vote on Amendment 5.

    For what: “While those of us with homesteads could potentially benefit from a small tax cut, the seemingly endless process of asking voters to (artificially) limit the value of their property taxes through constitutional amendments every few years is exhausting. Potential unintended consequences – local governments increasing mileage to make up for lost revenue or shifting costs to businesses, large or small, that don’t own properties – rarely seem to be considered.

    Deepen amendment 5: Vote yes or no on the Florida amendments? What Amendment 5, Proposed Homestead Exemption Means

    The Palm Beach Post is part of the USA TODAY network.

    The message from Palm Beach: NO

    THE The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board Recommends a Vote no on amendment 5.

    For what: “Amendment 5 looks good. It would allow for annual inflation adjustments to property tax exemptions for the value of the exemption that applies to non-school taxes. Simply put, if the Consumer Price Index, which measures inflation, increases, the tax break on your home will also increase. Attractive but problematic for local communities. The Post recommends that voters reject this amendment with a “no” vote. This creates the misleading impression that state lawmakers are giving homeowners a bigger tax break. In fact, they are proposing a change that would decrease the revenue that counties and municipalities sorely need to operate and provide the multiple services that make our communities livable.

    Tampa Bay Times: YES

    THE The Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board Recommends a Yes to Amendment 5.

    For what: “Indexing Florida’s real estate exemption to inflation is a good idea: this common-sense change would give Florida homeowners the full benefit of the tax relief they have already been promised. In Florida, property taxes are set by local governments – cities, counties, school districts and special taxing districts – to fund their operations. While taxes are levied on the assessed value of a home, the state constitution provides a homestead exemption for a permanent residence, which reduces the amount of tax paid by the owner.

    Miami Herald: YES

    THE The Miami Herald Editorial Board Recommends a Yes to Amendment 5.

    For what: “Amendment 5 on the November ballot is a reasonable proposal that would give Florida homeowners a greater benefit from their property tax exemption – and some much-needed relief, given our housing crisis. housing affordability. Homeowners in this state receive a $25,000 exemption from all property taxes and another $25,000 exemption on property values ​​between $50,000 and $75,000, except for taxes levied for schools. Exemptions apply if you live at home. Amendment 5 would apply to the second $25,000 exemption. The amendment would adjust the exemption amount based on the rate of inflation – meaning that, under current conditions, the exemption amount would increase, which would be a win for homeowners.

    The editorial boards of the Orlando Sentinel and the South Florida Sun Sentinel have combined their recommendations for most of the 2024 Florida Amendments. Below is what the editorial boards of both newspapers have to say about the Amendment 5, the “homestead exemption” amendment.

    Orlando Sentinel: NO

    South Florida Solar Sentinel: NO

    THE Orlando Sentinel and the South Florida Solar Sentinel The editorial boards recommend a no vote on Amendment 5.

    For what: “Voters should say ‘no’ to maintaining current homestead exemptions: one of the worst traits of the legislature is cutting taxes at someone else’s expense. And that’s the problem with Amendment 5. It would provide cost of living adjustments for a portion of the property exemption that offsets the taxable value of owner-occupied residences. This is the portion between $50,000 and $75,000. the value of a home applied to the tax bases of all local governments except schools Amendment 5 would not change the basic homestead exemption, which exempts property taxes on the first 25,000. $ of the value of a home But it could reduce taxes paid by all government agencies, except schools, on the exemption that now excludes assessments between $50,000 and $75,000. the value of a home if inflation were to increase, city, county and special district taxes on that other portion would decrease unless boards increase tax rates in other areas. others. In other words, revenues to fund police, fire, roads, parks and other city and county services could be reduced, and although this additional exemption does not save much money for individual taxpayers, it could be devastating for local governments. »

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