Editorial: Amendment breakdown - part three

The Boca Beacon has been running a breakdown of the proposed amendments on the Lee County Ballot prior to the election on November 6. This is a four-page ballot, and voters need to be prepared. Here is the breakdown of the last three amendments. See the last two issues of the Boca Beacon for the rest.

Amendment 9 - Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouse of Military Veteran or First Responder

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to authorize the Legislature to provide by general law ad valorem homestead property tax relief to the surviving spouse of a military veteran who died from service- connected causes while on active duty or to the surviving spouse of a first responder who died in the line of duty. The amendment authorizes the Legislature to totally exempt or partially exempt such surviving spouse’s homestead property from ad valorem taxation. The amendment defines a first responder as a law enforcement officer, a correctional officer, a firefighter, an emergency medical technician, or a paramedic. This amendment shall take effect January 1, 2013.

Sponsor: Florida Legislature

Effect: Would grant full homestead exemption to the surviving spouses of military veterans who die on active duty and first responders who die in the line of duty.

Vote Yes: You support this tax exemption.

Vote No: You do not support this tax exemption.

Amendment 10 - Tangible Personal Property Tax Exemption

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to: (1) Provide an exemption from ad valorem taxes levied by counties, municipalities, school districts, and other local governments on tangible personal property if the assessed value of an owner’s tangible personal property is greater than $25,000 but less than $50,000. This new exemption, if approved by the voters, will take effect on January 1, 2013, and apply to the 2013 tax roll and subsequent tax rolls. (2) Authorize a county or municipality for the purpose of its respective levy, and as provided by general law, to provide tangible personal property tax exemptions by ordinance. This is in addition to other statewide tangible personal property tax exemptions provided by the Constitution and this amendment.

Sponsor: Florida Legislature

Effect: This amendment would double the personal property exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 and allow local governments to grant higher exemptions.

Vote Yes: You support the expanded tax exemption.

Vote No: You do not support the expanded tax exemption.

Amendment 11 - Additional Homestead Exemption; Low-Income Seniors Who Maintain Long-Term Residency on Property; Equal to Assessed Value

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to authorize the Legislature, by general law and subject to conditions set forth in the general law, to allow counties and municipalities to grant an additional homestead tax exemption equal to the assessed value of homestead property if the property has a just value less than $250,000 to an owner who has maintained permanent residency on the property for not less than 25 years, who has attained age 65, and who has a low household income as defined by general law. Sponsor: Florida Legislature Effect: Would allow city- and county-level governments the power to grant a homestead tax exemption for properties with a value of less that $250,000 that have been owned by a person who has maintained permanent residency for at least 25 years, who is at least 65 years old and who has a low household income as defined by law. The exemption would be up to the full assessed value of the property.

Sponsor: Florida Legislature

Effect: Would allow city- and county-level governments the power to grant a homestead tax exemption for properties with a value of less that $250,000 that have been owned by a person who has maintained permanent residency for at least 25 years, who is at least 65 years old and who has a low household income as defined by law. The exemption would be up to the full assessed value of the property.

Vote Yes: You support this tax exemption.

Vote No: You do not support this tax exemption.

Amendment 12 - Appointment of Student Body President to Board of Governors of the State University System

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to replace the president of the Florida Student Association (FSA) with the chair of the council of state university student body presidents as the student member of the Board of Governors of the State University System and to require that the Board of Governors organize such council of state university student body presidents. Sponsor: Florida Legislature Effect: Would cause the creation of a council of state university student body presidents, and replace the current student member on the Florida Board of Goverrnors of the State University System, the president of the FSA, with the chair of the council.

Sponsor: Florida Legislature

Effect: Would cause the creation of a council of state university student body presidents, and replace the current student member on the Florida Board of Goverrnors of the State University System, the president of the FSA, with the chair of the council.

Vote Yes: You approve the creation of a council of state university body presidents, and the appointment of the chair as student member to the Board of Governors.

Vote No: You do not approve the creation of the council.