10/22/2026
Request your mail-in ballot by TODAY to vote NO on Amendment 3!
I share your pain on taxes. But Amendment 3 isn't the answer
"I have received considerable criticism for my position on Amendment 3. I respect the fact people have strong opinions when it comes to their hard-earned money and the taxes they pay.
"I support meaningful property tax relief for Florida families. I believe the governor and our state legislators are trying to address a very real problem.
"However, I have serious concerns about the proposed solution and its potential consequences for the essential services our communities depend on.
"Like so many of you, my family feels the financial pressures of everyday life. I pay property taxes, too. My parents and in-laws live on fixed incomes, and my children are working to raise their families here in Florida. We all want relief, and we deserve a thoughtful conversation about how to achieve it.
"But we also deserve to understand the full consequences of any proposed change before making a decision that could permanently affect our communities. In all, more than 99% of the Sheriff's Office budget is funded through ad valorem, or property, taxes. This does not mean that 275 deputies would automatically lose their jobs.
"But it does mean that reductions of this magnitude would force extremely difficult decisions. Some have suggested that government simply needs to tighten its belt. I agree that government has an obligation to spend responsibly, and I welcome that scrutiny.
"But there is an important difference between eliminating unnecessary spending and eliminating essential services. We continually evaluate expenditures, seek grants and look for opportunities to obtain equipment and resources without placing additional burdens on local taxpayers."
Read the full guest column on the Sarasota Herald-Tribune
