Florida Property Tax Debate Teed Up in Senate

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By JIM TURNER
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

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THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, April 28, 2017……… State lawmakers moved closer Friday to letting voters decide if middle-class homeowners should receive a bigger property-tax break.

But Senate Democrats may still be able to block a proposed constitutional amendment, which is drawing opposition from local governments worried about maintaining services.

The proposal, which likely will be up for a vote Monday, is a priority of House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes. But it needs support from three-fifths of the Senate, and Democrats might be able to marshal enough votes to defeat it.

The Senate on Friday moved forward with the proposed constitutional amendment (HJR 7105) and an accompanying bill (HB 7107). If the proposal gets through the Legislature, voters would be asked in November 2018 to increase the non-school homestead exemption by $25,000.