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Miami's local elected officials are split on Amendment 3, the ballot measure that would increase the homestead exemption and drastically reduce property taxes across the state.

Why it matters: If approved by voters, the measure would bring relief to homeowners' tax bills — but would cost local governments billions.

Supporters argue the measure would force local governments to tighten spending, while opponents say it will leave them scrambling to maintain necessary services.

State of play: The split falls mostly along party lines, with Mayor Daniella Levine Cava strongly opposed to the measure, while Republican leaders have banded around it.

What they're saying: Levine Cava recently said it "threatens everything from public safety and emergency response to our roads, parks, our libraries," the Miami Herald reported.

She also launched a political action committee to fight the referendum.

Meanwhile, Miami Gardens Sen. Shevrin Jones and Miami-Dade Commissioner Oliver Gilbert have urged residents to vote no. 

And groups like the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Florida Professional Firefighters have voiced their opposition to the measure.

Yes, but: Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz broke with the FSA, speaking publicly in support of the proposal, arguing it wouldn't affect public safety.

The other side: A handful of local Republican officials recently gathered at Versailles for a news conference in support of Amendment 3, multiple outlets reported. Those in attendance included:

Miami-Dade Property Appraiser and former Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado

Miami-Dade Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez

The intrigue: Its once-biggest champion — Gov. Ron DeSantis — has taken a hands-off approach in recent months, underscoring the schism between elected officials across the state and locally.

The big picture: Miami-Dade County last month approved a $12.9 billion budget after offsetting a deficit of more than $400 million by increasing water and sewer fees and eliminating some positions, among other things.

The county dipped into its strategic reserves to offset the gap, per WLRN.

What's next: The measure needs 60% of the vote to pass.

Where Miami-Dade officials stand on Florida's property tax referendum

Illustration of a row of voting booths casting long shadows, the side of the booth reads "VOTE" with a checkmark as the V.

Miami&#x27;s local elected officials are split on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Amendment 3" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/08/14/inside-the-florida-property-tax-amendments-court-ordered-rewrite" data-vars-content-id="45f87014-b9fc-496c-847f-890b0ed52bc3" data-vars-headline="Where Miami-Dade officials stand on Florida&#x27;s property tax referendum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/08/14/inside-the-florida-property-tax-amendments-court-ordered-rewrite" target="_self">Amendment 3</a>, the ballot measure that would increase the homestead exemption and drastically reduce property taxes across the state.Why it matters: If approved by voters, the measure would bring relief to homeowners&#x27; tax bills — but would <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cost local governments billions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/voter-guide-what-floridians-should-know-about-amendment-3" data-vars-content-id="45f87014-b9fc-496c-847f-890b0ed52bc3" data-vars-headline="Where Miami-Dade officials stand on Florida&#x27;s property tax referendum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/voter-guide-what-floridians-should-know-about-amendment-3" target="_blank">cost local governments billions</a>.<ul><li>Supporters argue the measure would force local governments to tighten spending, while opponents say it will leave them scrambling to maintain necessary services.</li></ul>

Politics

Despite recent party gains, Democrats continue to trail Republicans with active registered voters statewide, a new report by the Miami Herald shows.

Why it matters: The current tally underscores a years-long trend that has reshaped Florida's politics.

It could also foreshadow local and statewide race outcomes for next month's midterm elections.

Between the lines: The data reviewed by the Herald is based on both active and inactive registered voters from September 2024 to September 2026. (Inactive voters can still vote.)

It did not include voters who registered in the five weeks before this year's voter registration deadline on Monday, Oct. 5.

State of play: In the last two years, Republicans grew their voter registration lead over Democrats in all 67 counties, amounting to an almost 8 percentage point lead, the Herald reported.

About 39% of registered voters are Republicans, while Democrats (31%) and not affiliated (27%) make up the rest.

Yes, but: The Dems did notch a win last month, adding about 500 more active voters statewide than Republicans did, the first time that's happened month-to-month in at least five years, the Democratic Party touted.

Caveat: Despite Florida's population increase, there are fewer active registered voters across the state, according to the Division of Elections.

Zoom in: Though Miami-Dade flipped red in recent years, Democrats still have a small lead when looking at both active and inactive voters, accounting for 33.5% of eligible voters as of September. 

That's followed by no party affiliation (32.2%) and Republicans (31.9%), according to the outlet.

For active voters, Republicans lead with about 35%; Democrats (32%) and no party affiliation (about 30%) follow.

Stunning stat: About 50,000 more Democrats switched parties compared to Republicans in recent years, with about 95,000 voters changing their registration to Republican, per the Herald.

Just under 40,000 Republicans moved to the Democratic Party.

However, since 2024, data show that more Democrats (113,700) changed their registration to no party affiliation compared to Republicans (67,000) since September 2024.

What we're watching: The midterm election could signal a possible shift in the state, with some Republicans breaking with President Trump over his mass deportation agenda.

Meanwhile, Democratic candidates like Senate nominee Angie Nixon have garnered a groundswell of support both inside and outside the state.

Florida voter registration: Republicans still outpace Democrats

The current tally underscores a years-long trend that has reshaped Florida's politics.

Illustration of a red and blue check mark in the center of an outline of the shape of Florida.

Despite recent party gains, Democrats continue to trail Republicans with active registered voters statewide, a new report by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Miami Herald shows" data-vars-click-url="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article317473941.html#storylink=cpy" data-vars-content-id="c251312b-3fa6-4db3-89f3-043675b0747a" data-vars-headline="Florida voter registration: Republicans still outpace Democrats" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article317473941.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">the Miami Herald shows</a>.Why it matters: The current tally underscores a years-long trend that has reshaped Florida&#x27;s politics.<ul><li>It could also foreshadow local and statewide race outcomes for next month&#x27;s midterm elections.</li></ul>

In a city like Miami, it's easy to be overstimulated by visual clutter.

Local artist Motyko Morales is hoping to cut through that noise with art — and the message it's aiming to convey.

State of art: Displayed along a bus stop ad on Calle Ocho, her collage portrays the changing landscape in and around Miami's skyline.

Made in response to policy decisions pushing out a local trailer home park, the collage combines images of tents, cranes, a woman with a camera and the roaming roosters Little Havana locals are accustomed to seeing.

"Your luxury is our displacement" is written in black and red ink.

Why it matters: As the city continues to face threats of gentrification and displacement of its residents, Morales hopes art can shine a light on the plight of everyday working people.

The display also comes as upcoming ballot measures spark conversations about who gets to call this city home and who its future is being built for. 

What they're saying: "Calle Ocho has become a tourist destination, while just a few blocks away you're seeing rents double and triple," Morales told Axios recently.

The piece makes the displacement "visible to the tourists who are spending their dollars here and to the commercial developers building high rises in a predominately working class neighborhood."

The big picture: The ad space commission is part of Save Art Space, a national nonprofit that features local artists' work on city billboards and bus stop ads.

Launched in 2015 in Brooklyn, the organization featured its second-ever installation that same year during Art Week in Miami.

Since then, it has continued to showcase Miami artists around the city and has expanded to at least 35 cities across America, displaying more than 1,100 billboards from more than 700 artists, executive director Travis Rix told Axios.

How it works: Save Art Space launches an open call, usually connected to a particular theme, and works with local curators and nonprofits to find local artists. 

In recent years, it's worked with Bakehouse Art Complex and Fountainhead Arts, and it's currently accepting submissions for Art Week.

Lizzie Suarez-Smith curated Morales' piece. 

The final product is usually placed near where the artist works or lives "so they can interact with it," and it's usually on display for about four weeks, Rix said.

For political pieces, such as Morales', the hope is for developers, influencers and tourists "to get the message from the local artist," he said.

Zoom in: Through collaging, Morales is able to memorialize the area, capture what she's seeing around her and create a "photographic archive" of the people and places that are here now.

A lot of the images included in her work are taken on walks in her Little Havana neighborhood, she said.

The bottom line: Artists have a responsibility to reflect and confront the times, Morales said.

"Being from Little Havana, [the display] feels especially important. I hope [it serves] as a mirror to the displacement happening so it's not ignored."

What's next: The bus ad will be on display for another week or two.

Local artists' bus stop ad challenges Miami's development, gentrification

The piece is part of a national arts organization.

Bus stop poster shows a city skyline with cranes, tents, and people; the caption reads "YOUR LUXURY IS OUR DISPLACEMENT" in black and red, with palm trees in the background.

The bus stop ad on Calle Ocho. Photo courtesy Motyko Morales.

In a city like Miami, it&#x27;s easy to be overstimulated by visual clutter.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Local artist Motyko Morales" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/motyk0/" data-vars-content-id="c7b4faae-e133-40d3-9a31-5cc8f8afde21" data-vars-headline="Local artists&#x27; bus stop ad challenges Miami&#x27;s development, gentrification" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/motyk0/" target="_blank">Local artist Motyko Morales</a> is hoping to cut through that noise with art — and the message it&#x27;s aiming to convey.</li></ul>State of art: Displayed along <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a bus stop ad" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdmGLFGEUG9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;vrfl=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" data-vars-content-id="c7b4faae-e133-40d3-9a31-5cc8f8afde21" data-vars-headline="Local artists&#x27; bus stop ad challenges Miami&#x27;s development, gentrification" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdmGLFGEUG9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;vrfl=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank">a bus stop ad</a> on Calle Ocho, her collage portrays the changing landscape in and around Miami&#x27;s skyline.

Culture

Development

It's time to get outside and enjoy what the 305 has to offer this weekend. 

🍅 Heirloom tomato and fall veggie seeding sale at Little River Nursery in the Redlands kicks off the new season this weekend. 

🗣️ Conversations with Cava: Miami-Dade Mayor Levine Cava is hosting two town halls this weekend to discuss the county budget and the services funded by property tax dollars. 

The conversation will address the impacts of the state's potential property tax reform (Amendment 3). 

🎥 The Hispanic Heritage Film Festival: This year's theme, "Bienvenidos a Miami," features 28 films celebrating Hispanic and Latino cinema. 

Today-Sunday, the Koubek Center. Showtimes and prices vary. 

🗳️ Adult Voter Education Series at Roots Bookstore & Market: The weekly series dives into different topics surrounding voting, the legislative process and more. 

This week's theme focuses on understanding the ballot for next month's midterm elections. 

📚 The fifth-annual Adventure-Leggers: The free, family event at Bookleggers explors creativity with free books and interactive programming. This year's theme is "Unsolved Mysteries."

Saturday, Bakehouse Art Complex, 11am-3pm. 

🎨 Little Haiti Little River Art Days: Spend the afternoon touring more than a dozen neighborhood galleries, artist studios, cultural hubs and more. 

🧚 Boo-tanical Garden: Gnome & Fairy Garden: Head to the Miami Beach Botanical Garden for a morning of spooky-season crafts for all ages. Costumes welcome.

Heirloom tomato and fall veggie seeding sale

Things to do in Miami: Art, films and the upcoming elections

Illustration of confetti shooting out of a timeclock.

Cue <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this song" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxuvDul9wG0" data-vars-content-id="ce23da24-c6d3-434a-9c4d-0683c1c11c92" data-vars-headline="Things to do in Miami: Art, films and the upcoming elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxuvDul9wG0" target="_blank">this song</a> by Rihanna. <ul><li>It&#x27;s time to get outside and enjoy what the 305 has to offer this weekend. </li></ul>

Things to Do

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is launching a new dedicated artist residency and studio.

Why it matters: The inaugural Vizcaya Arts Residency + Commission is the first physical expansion of the museum and campus, and will allow it, for the first time, to support artists with studio space, per a news release. 

Since 2006, Vizcaya Arts (formerly Vizcaya Contemporary Arts Program) has commissioned artists to develop new work related to the historic estate's unique history and landscape. 

The intrigue: This year's theme, "Holding Time," asks artists to "consider what happens when the past, present and future occupy the same space," Helena Gomez, Vizcaya's Curator, said in the release.

"The residency gives artists the time, space and support to explore those tensions and create new work that could only emerge from engaging with the site."

How it works: The residency is open to South Florida-based visual artists. 

The recipient will receive a $12,500 stipend and a production budget of up to $25,000. 

They'll live in the new 375-square-foot residency studio housed in the historic Chicken House, which is still being revitalized, part of Vizcaya Village's restoration project. 

The residency is from May-November 2027, with the resulting exhibition on display from November 2027 to May 2028.

The resident will hold weekly open studio hours and lead two public programs during the exhibition period, per the release. 

What's next: Applications are due Nov. 2. Click here for full eligibility requirements and questions.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens launches new artist residency

Sunlit courtyard framed by pastel houses and tall leafy trees, with outdoor tables and umbrellas. People stroll, chat, and children play along a brick-paved path.

Renderings for the artist residence. Photo: Courtesy Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners + NBW, with MAQE, courtesy of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is launching a new dedicated artist residency and studio.Why it matters: The inaugural <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vizcaya Arts Residency + Commission" data-vars-click-url="https://vizcaya.org/vizcaya-arts-open-call-2026/" data-vars-content-id="dcfff390-4db9-4e97-a38c-dfc66ed0bdd4" data-vars-headline="Vizcaya Museum and Gardens launches new artist residency" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://vizcaya.org/vizcaya-arts-open-call-2026/" target="_blank">Vizcaya Arts Residency + Commission</a> is the first physical expansion of the museum and campus, and will allow it, for the first time, to support artists with studio space, per a news release.

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Local artists' bus stop ad challenges Miami's development, gentrification

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