Florida Realtors, the state’s largest professional trade association, has put its money where its endorsement is, launching a statewide “Vote Yes on 3” campaign backed by a $10 million political committee — while at least one Hillsborough County commissioner is pushing back hard against the property tax relief measure headed to voters in November.

The pitch for relief

Florida Realtors, which represents roughly 238,000 members, formally endorsed Amendment 3 in August and has now moved into full campaign mode. CEO Margy Grant, appearing on WFLA’s “Battleground Florida” podcast, said the group’s goal is straightforward voter education. “To be perfectly frank, our effort right now is to educate the voter,” Grant said, framing the measure as a way for homeowners to hold onto more of what they earn rather than watch it disappear into rising tax bills.

Association president Chuck Bonfiglio Jr. put the case in plainer terms: years of work helping Floridians buy homes means little if rising costs price them out of keeping those homes. Amendment 3 would raise the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028, with automatic inflation adjustments starting in 2029. School tax levies are untouched. The measure would also cut the annual assessment cap on non-homestead properties — rentals and commercial buildings — from 10 percent to 5 percent, which Florida Realtors argues gives landlords, tenants, and small businesses more predictable costs.

Local government’s resistance

The relief isn’t sitting well with everyone at the county level. Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Myers has been outspoken in opposition, warning that the county would be forced into what she called “a menu board of cuts” if voters approve the measure. Her concern traces back to a report presented to the Hillsborough County Commission projecting the county could lose an estimated $367 million in annual revenue if the amendment takes effect January 1.

That number, however, describes a reduction in projected revenue growth for a government that has grown accustomed to collecting more each year as property values climb — not a cut to money the county currently has in hand. Whether that spending growth reflects essential services or years of expanding budgets is a question county officials have yet to answer publicly with specifics.

Who’s funding the opposition

The formal opposition, Vote No on 3, was founded by Bryan Desloge, a former Leon County commissioner, and has raised nearly $150,000 — a fraction of what Florida Realtors alone has committed. A large share of that opposition funding, $100,000, comes from the Florida Association of Special Districts, which represents roughly 1,900 local taxing districts across the state.

Vote No on 3 spokeswoman Edie Ousley took aim at the realtors’ motives directly. “It’s disappointing, but not surprising, that real estate agents are spending millions in support of Amendment 3,” Ousley said, arguing the industry’s commission-based business model benefits from more transactions at higher prices. The opposition’s funding tells a similar story in reverse: taxing districts with a direct financial stake in preserving current revenue streams are bankrolling the campaign to defeat a measure that would let homeowners keep more of their own money.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, who pushed for the amendment earlier this year, said he supports the measure but has not formed his own political committee or put personal campaign funds behind it.

Florida voters will decide Amendment 3 on the November 3 general election ballot.

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