A proposed property tax break in Florida may carry serious consequences for child care, after-school programming, and early learning services across the state.
Here's what to know
A new report from the Florida Policy Institute estimates that voter approval of Amendment 3 in November would cause a $278 million loss for children's services councils and trusts in Florida over two fiscal years, as reported by WUSF.
The report found that those losses would amount to "15% of total revenue, putting these services at risk of funding cuts or elimination."
Norín Dollard, who authored the report and serves as an FPI senior policy analyst and director of KIDS COUNT — a project focused on child well-being — said, "There's this sort of perfect storm of ways that services for children and families and communities are at risk."
Supporters of Amendment 3, such as Governor Ron DeSantis, who calls it "modest," say it would help homeowners cope with higher property tax bills.
More background
These councils and trusts were created locally to fund work benefiting children and families and rely heavily on property tax revenue.
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The Florida Alliance of Children's Councils and Trusts says the councils "are established by county citizens to help fund organizations that serve children and families in the county where it exists." The group added, "They were also created to make sure these dollars are being spent wisely and invested in programs that will provide the best outcomes for the children and families within their communities."
Because they are capped in how much they can collect, Dollard told WUSF, the councils would not be able to simply bring in more money to make up for losses if Amendment 3 passes. She added that the pressure is intensified by other funding problems.
State and federal child care dollars have not kept up with inflation, and grants are becoming harder to find, which means fewer program spots, less support for working families, and tougher choices for communities trying to build stronger futures for children.
What can be done?
If the measure passes, policymakers and advocates could face growing pressure to find replacement funding. Still, the report makes it clear that these councils have limited flexibility and are already operating in a difficult financial environment.
Urging Floridians to approve the amendment, DeSantis said, "I think this is the one way where you can guarantee that you're going to get savings and that you're going to be able to have more money in your pocket."
Where can I learn more?
As Florida voters consider whether near-term tax savings are worth the tradeoffs that could follow, these stories show how quickly communities can feel the impact when public money disappears or priorities change.
• In Florida, leaders rejected crucial federal funding for energy-efficiency programs despite dangerous heat.
• In Arkansas, rumored budget cuts would slash millions from conservation districts already defending local resources.
• In Florida, DeSantis signed a controversial bill rolling back dozens of climate-related statutes.
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