Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) reaffirmed his support for the Florida Legislature’s property tax amendment after reports indicated that Scott expressed concern over its effect on public services.
“I support any tax or fee cut, and I am going to be voting for it,” Sen. Scott asserted, arguing that “the media wants to divide Republicans.”
Sen. Scott assured that Republicans are evaluating “the best ways to reduce spending and return more money to taxpayers.”
Despite acknowledging public concern over budgetary cuts and its effect on services like fire departments, law enforcement, and public schools, the Florida Senator asserted that “every county has waste to cut.”
“That’s just a fact,” Sen. Scott wrote.
“Families in Florida need this tax cut - the state has become increasingly unaffordable, but we can’t lose critical services,” Sen. Scott stated, urging counties to begin getting “rid of the junk.” “The question isn’t IF we should cut spending and return that money to Florida families. It’s HOW we do it. Republicans are fighting for common sense,” he concluded.
Reports Indicate Sen. Scott's Concern Over the Amendment
Sen. Scott’s response comes after reports of the former Florida Governor’s comments on the Ryan Gorman Show indicated he was worried about Florida’s Amendment 3.
In the program, Sen. Scott reportedly stated that he believes Floridians should evaluate the constitutional amendment and examine the trade-offs produced by the lower property tax collections.
"The trade-off is going to be, 'I'm going to get my tax reduction. But do I lose police protection? Do I... are my schools gonna be worse?'" Scott said.
Florida's Property Tax Amendment
The proposed amendment to Florida’s constitution aims to increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes from $50,000 to $250,000. It also establishes a pathway towards the full elimination of non-school property taxes on homesteads, while aiming to "reduce the assessment growth cap on non-homesteaded properties."
According to Florida’s Revenue Estimating Conference (REC), if approved by voters, the amendment could cost $12 billion annually at minimum.
