Drake talks amendments

Clay County Property Appraiser Tracy Drake spoke to the Federated Republican Women of Clay County on Wednesday, Sept. 28, about the Florida constitutional amendments on the November 8 ballot.

Two of the proposals would reduce property assessments in the state.

Amendment 1 would authorize the Legislature to prohibit the consideration of any change or improvement made to real property used for residential purposes to improve the property’s resistance to flood damage in determining the assessed value of such property for ad valorem taxation purposes.

Amendment 3 would authorize the Legislature to grant an additional homestead tax exemption for non-school levies of up to $50,000 of the assessed value of homestead property owned by classroom teachers, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, child welfare services professionals, active duty members of the United States Armed Forces and Florida National Guard members.

Amendment 2 would abolish the Constitution Revision Commission, which meets at 20-year intervals to submit proposed amendments or revisions to the State Constitution.

Constitutional amendments must pass with 60% or more support from voters to be enacted.