Amendment 3 may cause confusion for teacher pay referendum, some educators say
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While a property tax that supports teacher pay and school safety has had widespread support since 2018, some Florida statewide are concerned that the controversial property tax amendment on the same ballot could complicate its renewal.
Why it matters: If the referendum isn't renewed, Miami-Dade County Public Schools — already facing budget shortfalls — could have a harder time recruiting and retaining teachers, as cost of living and inflation continue to rise, education advocates say.
Flashback: Voters first approved a property tax referendum in 2018, when the district asked for a tax rate of 0.75. Voters approved a 0.25 increase, to 1.0, in 2022.
- Each year, voters have overwhelmingly approved the measure.
Between the lines: The tax collects $100 for every $100,000 in assessed taxable property value.
Yes, but: This year, the renewal will appear on the ballot alongside Amendment 3, the proposed property tax overhaul that would raise the homestead exemption and reduce property taxes across the state.
- This presents a challenge, some educators statewide say, as voters may be hesitant to approve a tax while considering property tax cuts.
- Voter confusion over the two items has also become a concern of public school officials statewide who rely on similar referendums.
The other side: "There's always potential for people to be confused," United Teachers of Dade president Antonio White told Axios. "But in Miami, most people know this is coming and are accustomed to [the tax]."
- Plus, he added, this year's ballot item has widespread support, including from the Republican Party, which opposed it in the past, so it's facing less opposition in that regard.
The bottom line: If the referendum fails, Miami-Dade County Public Schools could lose $500 million, WLRN reported.