Police union warns against Florida Amendment 3 on property tax

The Florida State Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)—representing over 24,000 law enforcement officers across the state—has formally announced its opposition to Amendment 3, the proposed property tax constitutional amendment on the November 2026 ballot.

Key Warnings & Opposition Reasons

• Uncertain Fiscal Impact on Emergency Services: FOP President Jeff Stinson warned that reducing local property tax revenues creates significant uncertainty around how cities and counties will fund essential public safety, including police departments, fire rescue, and emergency medical services.
• “Public Safety Shouldn’t Be Collateral Damage”: While stating that law enforcement officers recognize the financial pressures homeowners face, the union emphasized that tax reform must be balanced so that essential community services aren’t compromised.
• Potential Staffing and Operational Cuts: Law enforcement and corrections leadership across the state have expressed concerns that drastic budget shortfalls could force hiring freezes, staffing reductions, and cuts to critical training programs.

What Amendment 3 Proposes

If approved by at least 60% of Florida voters, Amendment 3 would:

1. Increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 by 2028.
2. Cap annual assessment growth for non-homestead properties at 5% (down from 10%).
3. Establish a framework for state lawmakers to eventually phase out non-school homestead property taxes entirely.

The Broader Coalition Against the Measure

The police union’s opposition aligns with a growing list of public safety groups, local officials, and policy organizations:

• Florida Professional Firefighters: The state’s firefighter union also opposes Amendment 3, citing the lack of a viable alternative funding plan for emergency services.
• State Economists: State financial estimates project that the amendment could cut roughly $11.8 billion annually from city and county budgets once fully implemented, severely straining municipal operations.