AMENDMENT 3 DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT OUR FIRE DEPARTMENTS, POLICE DEPARTMENTS, OR EMS AGENCIES WILL BE PROTECTED FROM BUDGET CUTS!
LET’S LOOK AT WHAT THE LAW ACTUALLY SAYS.
Florida Amendment 3, House Joint Resolution 1-F, amends Article VII, Section 9(a)(2)(a) of the Florida Constitution.
The amendment identifies public safety as an authorized use of local property tax revenue, including:
“law enforcement, fire service, and emergency medical service”
Sounds like protection, right?
HERE’S THE PROBLEM:
Nowhere in that provision does it establish:
- A guaranteed minimum budget for fire or police departments.
- Protection against firefighter, police officer, or paramedic layoffs.
- A requirement to maintain current staffing levels.
- A guarantee that fire stations will remain open.
- A requirement that public safety receive funding before other authorized services.
- A requirement for the state to replace lost local property tax revenue.
The amendment restricts how property tax revenue may be used, but it DOES NOT establish how much must be spent on public safety.
And that distinction matters!
It insist that you fund these services, but it does not make it mandatory that you keep these services.
READ THE LAW FOR YOURSELF:
Florida House Joint Resolution 1-F (2026), Article VII, Section 9(a)(2), Florida Constitution.
