FLORIDA PROPERTY TAXES

The Florida Senate passed the most contentious part of a property tax-cutting package, a constitutional amendment that would require voter approval.

   It was sent to the House, which is also expected to pass the state constitutional amendment.

   The Republican-sponsored amendment, which GOP leaders say may
save taxpayers about eight  billion dollars over five years, then would go on the ballot for voters to approve.

   It's not clear how much the average homeowner would save under the Senate's new version.

   The amendment is half of a two-part tax relief and restructuring plan. Leaders of both chambers offered to cut local property taxes by about 30  billion dollars over the next five years. The Senate's revision, though, changes the overall savings to 24 billion.

   It would allow homeowners to choose whether to accept a new ``super exemption'' offered by the proposed amendment or keep their existing benefits under the Save Our Homes Amendment.