Florida AG Uthmeier Criticizes Property Tax Amendment Transparency
TALLAHASSEE — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has publicly cast doubt on the property tax amendment that Governor Ron DeSantis initially pushed for inclusion in November’s statewide ballot. In a significant departure from his previous alignment with the governor, Uthmeier released a rewritten ballot summary under a judge's order while simultaneously issuing a statement critiquing the very proposal he was tasked to summarize. The move highlights growing friction within the state’s Republican leadership regarding how major tax overhauls are presented to voters.
Concerns Over Transparency and Stakeholder Involvement
In his Thursday statement, Uthmeier argued that the property tax proposal "could certainly have been rolled out with greater transparency." He specifically highlighted the absence of key stakeholders in the legislative process. "No one wants to defund our incredible sheriffs, yet there were no discussions to involve them in this process," Uthmeier stated. This criticism aligns with concerns raised earlier by the Florida Sheriffs Association, which expressed being "significantly concerned" about Amendment 3.
The amendment itself aims to raise the homestead exemption for most Floridians to $250,000 by 2028, with subsequent increases tied to inflation. Governor DeSantis unveiled this idea in late May after spending more than a year discussing a property tax overhaul without presenting a specific plan initially. Lawmakers later amended the proposal to protect property taxes designated for schools before passing it during a speedy special session.
Political Implications and Endorsements
Uthmeier’s public critique marks a notable break from his history as DeSantis’ former chief of staff, appointed attorney general in February 2025. While Governor DeSantis has stated he will vote for the amendment, he has refused to campaign behind it. Furthermore, Uthmeier made it clear through his statement that he would not step up as a main backer for the property tax plan if it fails, as this newspaper reported in Florida Property Tax Measure Gains Trump's Backing Amid DeSantis Silence.
"If it does not pass, I look forward to working with the legislature and our law enforcement leaders on comprehensive tax relief that protects public safety," Uthmeier said. This stance comes amid broader political realignments in Florida. Alongside Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, another DeSantis ally, Uthmeier has broken away from the governor to endorse U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds for governor. In contrast, DeSantis has criticized Donalds and declined to offer a formal endorsement for any Republican gubernatorial candidate.
As Florida voters prepare for November, the lack of a unified front among top state officials regarding Amendment 3 may influence how the measure is perceived. With no other politician or group stepping up as the main backer of DeSantis' plan, the transparency issues raised by Uthmeier could play a role in the upcoming election dynamics.
