Four proposed constitutional amendments to slash property taxes in Florida are nearing the floor of the state House.

Why it matters: The proposals intend to exempt homestead properties, a homeowner's principal residence, from some or all property taxes — leaving in place only those levied by school districts.

• Analysts say they could cost local governments billions of dollars, money now used for critical infrastructure and emergency services.

Between the lines: House Speaker Daniel Perez announced seven joint resolutions and one bill in October aimed at property tax relief, with the intention of offering voters a menu of options on the 2026 ballot.

• All of the proposals exclude school taxes and bar local governments from cutting funds for law enforcement. Last week, four of them advanced to the Ways and Means Committee, their final stop before the House floor.

Zoom in: Here are the proposals on the table.

HJR 201, sponsored by state Rep. Kevin Steele of Dade City, would exempt homestead properties from all property taxes levied by counties, cities or special districts.

• If approved by voters, the amendment would cut local non-school property tax revenue by $14 billion initially, and by about $18.3 billion every year after, according to a legislative analysis.

HJR 205 would create a homestead exemption only for homeowners ages 65 and older. The limited scope would result in smaller losses: about $5.1 billion initially and $6.7 billion every year after, per a legislative analysis.

HJR 209 would increase the existing homestead exemption of $25,000 by $200,000 for homeowners with "comprehensive homeowners property insurance."

• Analysts expect the amendment would result in revenue losses for local governments totaling about $6.6 billion initially and $8.6 billion each year thereafter, per a legislative analysis.

HJR 211 would tweak the so-called "Save Our Homes" benefit. It caps annual increases in assessed property values, which are used to determine homeowners' tax bills.

• If approved, this amendment would let homeowners fully transfer the benefit when they move, even when they downsize to smaller homes.
• It would result in revenue losses for local governments totaling about $42.7 million initially and $336.8 million each year thereafter, per a legislative analysis.

Friction point: None of the proposals has a Senate counterpart, and the House has already drawn criticism from Gov. Ron DeSantis, who said placing several property tax measures on the ballot was "a political game."

• Democrats have also derided the House's efforts, although for different reasons. State Rep. Lindsay Cross told Axios that "the need for services is not going to decrease if property taxes decrease."

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A new take on an old department store is coming to Tampa Bay.

Why it matters: The grand opening of the new Belk Market in Wesley Chapel gives local shoppers another option for apparel and home goods.

State of play: The new concept will offer women's men's and kids clothing, plus accessories and decor, in a smaller footprint, the Charlotte-based company announced.

• The Wesley Chapel store is one of two debuting this Saturday. The other is in Frisco, Texas, north of Dallas.

Flashback: Belk once had a larger footprint in Tampa Bay as Belk Lindsey, a subset of Belk stores across Florida and Puerto Rico co-founded by Sunshine State native Colin Lindsey, per the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

• Locations were in Tampa's Britton Plaza, Port Richey's Gulfview Square Mall and the former Eastlake Square Mall, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

These days, the nearest Belk stores are in Spring Hill, Lakeland or an outlet store in Land O' Lakes.

What's next: Belk Market will hold a ribbon-cutting and grand opening celebration at 9:30am at its storefront in The Grove at Wesley Chapel, the company said in a news release.

• The first 100 customers will receive branded canvas totes.

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💵 USF's president-elect, Moez Limayem, could receive a base salary of about $1.25 million, pending confirmation of his appointment by the state Board of Governors this week. (Tampa Bay Times)

🚔 The City of Tampa announced that its downtown police headquarters is now for sale, with a minimum asking price of $36 million. (WFLA)

✈️ Over a dozen Transportation Security Administration officers at Tampa International Airport received bonuses from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for working during the federal government shutdown. (Times)

Applications for St. Petersburg's hurricane recovery grant program will open Monday, the city announced.

Why it matters: The Sunrise St. Pete program offers financial aid to qualifying city residents who are still recovering from hurricanes Idalia in 2023 and Helene last year.

State of play: Residents can start applying Monday for grants to help with home repairs, rehabilitation or elevation or reimbursement for already completed repairs.

• Disaster relief payments are also available for residents who struggled to afford expenses like rent or utilities due to the storm or storms.

The big picture: The $159.8 million disaster recovery fund was allocated to the city by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The grant doesn't cover impacts from Hurricane Milton.

• At least 70% of the funds will be designated for low- and moderate-income households within the city.

How to apply: Residents can apply online or at two intake centers: 1914 Fourth Street N., Suite 1920, and the Enoch Davis Center at 1111 18th Ave. S.

• Residents can also contact 727-591-2990 or [email protected] with questions about the application process.

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Hanukkah starts at sundown Dec. 14, with Dec. 15 as the first full day of the holiday this year.

What's happening: Hanukkah 2025 begins on a different day on the Gregorian calendar than it did last year (and will next year), but it's on the same date annually on the lunisolar Hebrew calendar.

Between the lines: Hanukkah starts on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar.

• It works out that Jewish holidays are around the same time every year — like Hanukkah always being in the winter — and there's a full moon on the 15th of the month and a new moon at the start of the month.