With the November elections just a few weeks away, it is important to be informed as much as possible on what you will be voting for.  In addition to the many state, local, & federal elections for congressional seats, city commission, school board, sheriff, judge, mayor, and of course the President, there are also 6 proposed amendments to Florida's Constitution on the 2008 ballot.

There were a total of 9 amendments, but just recently 3 of these were removed from the ballot by Florida's Supreme Court.  All of those removed had to do with the school system with the big one being the proposed Amendment #5 which would have swapped real estate taxes for sales taxes.  But I am not here to talk about the amendments that won't be on the ballot.  I want to discuss the ones that will be on the ballot.  So here are short summaries of the 6 proposed amendments.

Amendment #1 is regarding property rights of aliens ineligible for citizenship.  It deletes a portion of one sentence in the Constitution regarding the regulation of real property rights for aliens.  Supposedly this current language is something from a past era that is now considered discriminatory from what I have read on this matter.

Amendment #2 will amend the definition of marriage to be one man and one woman. It is basically a constitutional ban on gay marriage. 

Amendment #3 is regarding real property taxes.  It deletes an old tax exemption regarding renewable energy source devices that is apparently no longer in effect.  It also adds new language that improving a property for purposes of reducing resistance to wind damage or installing a renewable energy source device will not increase the property's assessed value. 

Amendment #4 is also regarding real property taxes.  It adds a new tax exemption for properties dedicated for long-term conservation purposes.  Basically this would reduce the taxes on privately-owned land set aside as nature preserves and similar type properties.

Amendment #6 is once again regarding real property taxes.  It addresses the assessment requirements for "working waterfront properties" like marinas and fishing piers.  It requires county property appraisers to assess the properties as they are currently being used even if the value of the land would be worth much more if it were used for something different - like upscale condos.  Apparently there was a problem with property appraisers possibly abusing the system on these under-utilized waterfront properties.

Amendment #8 is regarding sales tax and community colleges.  It gives counties with community colleges the option of raising the sales tax to help pay for the college. It requires a vote by the locals in order for the new tax to be levied.

So there you have it.  Hopefully this is a helpful little rundown of the amendments on the Florida ballot this November.  If you want to read the full text of these amendments, I suggest that you go to https://doe.dos.state.fl.us/constitutional-amendments/pdf/GEN579Re.pdf   where you can read all the juicy details for yourself. 

The Orlando Sentinel did an analysis of these amendments and gave their endorsements and non-endorsements.  You can click the link and read what they had to say.  I will most likely post my opinions on #'s 3, 4, 6, and 8 at some point in the future.  For Amendments #1 and 2, vote your conscience - that's the best advice I can give you on those.  All amendments need 60% voter approval in order to pass.  So until next time ...

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(Copyright © 2008. Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rob Arnold - Your full service and investor friendly Realtor in Orlando and Central Florida.

ABR, CPL, CRB, GRI, Managing real estate broker, Licensed mortgage broker, Notary Public

407-389-7318 / 1-877-389-7318    www.SDRhouses.com/   www.WeBuyHousesFlorida.com/

Learn to invest in Central Florida real estate and Orlando real estate. Investor mentoring and counseling available. We sell properties, list properties, and we buy houses cash throughout the Central Florida & metro Orlando area.  

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