Judge hears challenge to Amendment 5 and will issue ruling soon

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Aug. 13, 2008 – Opponents of Amendment 5 had their day in court, but the Second Judicial Circuit Court will not issue his decision until later today or tomorrow. However, both sides consider it likely that the Florida Supreme Court will eventually make the final ruling.

Amendment 5, the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR)-backed constitutional amendment, would lower property taxes statewide by 25 percent to 40 percent, depending on where you live. It could be stricken from the ballot if the judge decides that the language is not clear or there is a technical problem.

Groups opposing Amendment 5 initiated the court challenge, saying the ballot amendment is a substantive tax law that does not belong in the Constitution. The amendment was created by the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which meets only once every 20 years to consider Florida tax issues.

Proponents of the plan, which include Gov. Charlie Crist and FAR, say it would bring fairness back into property taxation, stimulate the Florida economy, and eliminate current tax loopholes.

“If this Amendment 5 were to pass in November, which I hope it does, people will look at that as a lot more than a tweak,” Crist says. “I think it could be a significant stimulant for Florida’s economy.”

To read more about Amendment Five, visit FAR’s Web site at: http://www.floridarealtors.org/LegislativeCenter/TopInitiatives/index.cfm.

The official Web site for supporters of Amendment 5 is: http://www.giveme5florida.com.

© 2008 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

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