Report: Miami-Dade would lose 12,200 jobs if Amendment 3 passes
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Local governments across Florida could lose a combined 123,000 jobs if Amendment 3 passes in this year's midterm elections, according to a recent report.
Why it matters: If approved by voters on Nov. 3, measure would lower homeowners' property taxes — but would cost local governments billions.
- The strain on local governments, and the resulting loss of public services, translates to thousands of government employees losing their jobs, a report by the Economic Policy Institute found.
Between the lines: "When analysts describe funding cuts and reductions in 'public services,' what they're often really describing is people — who work on behalf of their neighbors and communities — losing their jobs," the report said.
By the numbers: The report, released Oct. 23, indicates that Miami-Dade County's projected funding losses are expected to be nearly $1.4 billion annually, or nearly 13% of its compensation.
- Last year, there were about 94,600 government employees in the county.
- That means, a nearly 13% loss in public-sector employee positions could result in more than 12,200 people losing their jobs — the highest loss projection across the state.
How it works: The analysis compared permanent funding losses with current local government compensation and employment data to understand the potential loss in employment.
- The projected losses are based on if a county were to "cut staffing in direct proportion to their funding losses," per the report.
The big picture: Amendment 3's passage would reduce local revenue by nearly $12 billion on a recurring basis, according to the Florida Policy Institute.
- In Miami-Dade, it would be upwards of $1.4 billion annually.
What's next: Election Day is Nov. 3.