The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board is endorsing candidates in the Nov. 3 elections. What follows is the endorsements on the proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution and the extension of a local tax levy for the Palm Beach County Schools.
Whatever your choice, it's important to make your voice heard.
Early voting began Oct. 19 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 1. Registered voters across Palm Beach County can cast ballots at any of 28 early voting locations, regardless of where they live. Sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. A list of locations is available here.
For more details on different ways to vote, to confirm if you're registered, your voting precinct and/or to follow your vote, go to votepalmbeach.gov.
Impact to Palm Beach County and Florida explained
Vote no on Amendment 1
What began as a budget dispute between the Florida House and Senate has been foisted on voters as a constitutional amendment. Amendment 1 raises the maximum allowable amount in the budget stabilization fund from 10% to up to 25%. It also requires the Legislature to put up to $750 million into the fund every year, and they can suspend an annual transfer if money is pulled that same year to address a shortfall or emergency.
While stashing more money into the state's "rainy day" fund has appeal, it's not a practical change that belongs in the Florida Constitution. Lawmakers need budget flexibility to address Florida's needs. This change would restrict that. In addition, the state rainy day fund already contains $5 billion, part of broader reserves that total between $14 billion and $16 billion. For these reasons, the Post Editorial Board urges voters to vote "no" on Amendment 1.
Vote no on Amendment 2
For the record, the Post Editorial Board sympathizes with the plight of Florida's farmers. Like too many Americans, they have been victimized by President Donald Trump's fickle-yet-costly tariffs and the ongoing war with Iran. However, the Florida Legislature's response has no place in the state constitution, which leads us to urge voters to reject this amendment.
Amendment 2, in essence, is a tax break. It would exclude equipment used for agricultural production from ad valorem taxes. If approved, the change could reduce local government revenue by about $31 million starting in 2027, according to state estimates. The change doesn't belong as a permanent fixture in the state constitution. Lawmakers routinely grant tax breaks; they don't need a constitutional amendment to help farmers when an up-or-down vote easing farmers’ tax burdens in the next legislative session can provide flexibility and and protective limits to Florida's taxpayers.
Vote no on Amendment 3
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-dominated Legislature have been searching for a way to justifiably claim that they're onboard with seeking relief to Florida's "affordability crisis." Their answer is Amendment 3, which would increase the homestead exemption for all non-school taxes to $150,000 in 2027, $250,000 in 2028, and adjusts for inflation every year after that. The change seems like a boon for homeowners who annually see their property tax bill rise because of increasing home valuations. Unfortunately, the cost to local governments threaten to eat into any perceived savings by homeowners as city and county officials would struggle to maintain expected services. The Post has sought, and heard from, local officials, community organizations and state associations, and we share the view of the majority who think Amendment 3 will do more harm than good. Thus, we urge voters vote "no" on Amendment 3.
Vote yes on school tax levy extension
Closer to home, voters in Palm Beach County will be asked to renew a 1.0 mill property tax levy that supports the Palm Beach County School District. The Post Editorial Board urges a "yes" vote on this local ballot question. This is not a new tax; voters initially approved this levy in 2019 to address district needs. Those needs haven't changed, particularly in light of the county's demographic changes, faltering federal and state funding and declining enrollments. If approved, the funding would continue from July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2031. It would support school safety, school police, mental health services, arts, music, physical education, career and choice program teachers. It also would improve teacher pay, and would still be under the oversight of an independent committee of citizens and experts. The fund remains necessary for district operations, and the Post urges voters to extend it.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach Post recommendations for Florida amendments | Endorsement
