Realtor groups fund Amendment 3’s campaign, and Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava runs a third committee against it

The homestead amendment has one paying sponsor. Vote Yes on 3 has received seven checks, all from Florida Realtors, the trade association at 7025 Augusta National Drive in Orlando: $2,000,000, $3,000,000 and $2,500,000 on Sept. 3; $2,500,000 on Sept. 4; $4,000,000 on Sept. 11; $4,000,000 on Sept. 14; and $1,500,000 on Sept. 30, 2026. That is $19,500,000 (our sum). The only other receipt is $10.33 of bank interest from TD Bank NA on Sept. 30, and no other contributor appears as of state records checked Oct. 13 (Division of Elections). WFLX reported on Oct. 5 that “Yes on 3’s $18 million came from a single source: Florida Realtors,” before the seventh check appeared in state records (WFLX; Division of Elections).

The committee lists Margaret Grant as chairperson and David Garrison as treasurer, at the same Augusta National Drive address the checks list (Division of Elections). Margy Grant, chief executive of Florida Realtors, told WFLX: “Families are struggling with the affordability of so many things,” and “The one thing we can possibly control is property taxes” (WFLX).

Your stake: if your homestead is assessed at $250,000 or more, Amendment 3 would take $98,589 more of its value off county, city and special-district tax rolls in 2027 and $198,589 more in 2028, measured against 2026’s $51,411 maximum non-school exemption, the $25,000 base plus the $26,411 additional exemption (Florida Department of Revenue; WLRN; Florida Politics; our arithmetic; later inflation adjustments not included). At the state’s illustrative non-school rate of 6.95 mills, at $1 per $1,000 of assessed value per mill, that is about $685 less tax in 2027 and $1,380 in 2028 (Florida Department of Revenue; our arithmetic). Your own rate is on your tax bill, and Florida TaxWatch warns a per-homeowner savings figure “would be too speculative because cities and counties could respond to the revenue loss by cutting services, increasing millage rates or imposing new fees and special assessments” (WTXL). Florida Realtors’ Grant estimated about $1,000 a year in 2027 and $1,800 in 2028 for the average homeowner (WLRN / News Service of Florida). For second homes, rentals and commercial property, the yearly cap on assessment increases would fall from 10% to 5% (Division of Elections amendment record).

The money

The other side is three committees. Vote No on 3 Florida, Inc., chaired by Bryan Desloge, has received 66 contributions totaling $457,268.38, from June 23 to Oct. 2, 2026. The largest are Stop Unfair Tax Shifts Today, Inc. of Tallahassee, $240,000 on Sept. 15 and $40,000 on Oct. 2 ($280,000, our sum); the Florida Association of Special Districts, $100,000 on Sept. 1; the Palm Beach County League of Cities, $26,108; Orlando PAC, $10,000; and two law firms, $10,000 each (Division of Elections). Its rows now run through Oct. 9, at 71 contributions totaling $457,723.07, the five newest small individual checks (Division of Elections; our sum). Floridians for Shared Prosperity, Inc., chaired by Aidil Oscariz at a Miami address, has received 63 contributions totaling $230,648.77 through Oct. 2, including 16 in-kind contributions worth $19,999.52 (our sums), led by the Hopewell Fund of Washington, D.C., at $85,500, the Florida Policy Institute at $55,000 in three checks and SEIU Florida PAC at $50,000; newer rows include $2,500 from Community Spring Inc. of Gainesville on Sept. 26 and a $3,816.11 in-kind contribution from the Florida Policy Institute for “STAFF TIME/CAMPAIGN SUPPORT” on Oct. 2 (Division of Elections; the $55,000 is our sum).

The third is Miami-Dade’s mayor. No On 3. Protect Our Homes, an active political committee, lists its chairperson as Daniella Levine Cava, its treasurer as Maria Kuhn and its registered agent as Juan-Carlos Planas, all at 1742 W. Flagler Street in Miami (Division of Elections). Political Cortadito reported Sept. 3 that “Levine Cava has now formed her own political committee, No on 3. Protect Our Homes, to raise money for the fight” (Political Cortadito). It has received three contributions, all from Our Democracy at the same Flagler Street address: $1,000 on Aug. 5, $100,000 on Sept. 21 and $100,000 on Sept. 29, $201,000 in all (Division of Elections). The Florida Bulldog has described “Our Democracy PAC, run by Levine Cava’s top advisor Christian Ulvert” (Florida Bulldog); the state rows match it by name. Protect Our Homes has spent $72,528 in eight payments from Sept. 18 to Oct. 1, including $59,258 for direct mail consulting and $2,700 for campaign collateral to MDW Communications LLC of Plantation on Sept. 30, and $10,450 to Edge Communications LLC, which lists the committee’s own Flagler Street address (Division of Elections; our sum).

Through Oct. 2 the three have raised $888,917.15: Vote No on 3 Florida $457,268.38 (its rows dated through Oct. 2), Floridians for Shared Prosperity $230,648.77 and Protect Our Homes $201,000. Florida Realtors’ $19,500,000 is about 21.9 times that, about 22 to 1 (our arithmetic from Division of Elections records). As of their Oct. 5 reports, WFLX put it at “a combined $680,000, a margin of more than 26 to 1” for the two committees then counted (WFLX), and WPTV, a sister Scripps station, used the same figure (WPTV). That ratio compares money raised. In reported spending through Oct. 2 the gap is about 19.0 to 1: Vote Yes on 3’s $9,092,632.04 against $479,289.47 for the three no committees, $373,202.64 by Vote No on 3 Florida, $33,558.83 by Floridians for Shared Prosperity and $72,528 by Protect Our Homes (Division of Elections; our arithmetic).

Stop Unfair Tax Shifts Today, Inc., at 1237 Stonehurst Way in Tallahassee, listed as a “SOCIAL WELFARE ORGANIZATION,” still has exactly two contributions in the state database since 2024, both to Vote No on 3 Florida. Who funds it is not disclosed in state campaign records (Division of Elections).

The yes money is moving. Vote Yes on 3 has reported $9,092,632.04 in nine payments from Sept. 8 to Oct. 2. SGS Inc. of Gainesville got $9,091,260 of it in six payments: $28,700 on Sept. 8, $2,877,750 on Sept. 16, $1,218,570 on Sept. 24, $68,250 on Sept. 25, $2,410,040 on Sept. 29 and $2,487,950 on Sept. 30, the newest labeled “AMENDMENT 3.” The rest is $1,200 in legal fees to Mitchell Law, LLC of Thomasville, Ga., $82.04 to Florida Realtors for supplies and $90 in bank fees (Division of Elections; our sums). Those are payments to a vendor, not profit. The no side has spent far less: through Oct. 2, Vote No on 3 Florida reported $373,202.64 in 31 payments from June 29 to Sept. 28, the largest $185,331 to Whitson Digital Strategies of Orlando for digital advertising on Sept. 19, plus $78,460 to Clearview Research on Sept. 17, $24,914.50 to Deliver Strategies of Arlington, Va., for direct mail on Sept. 27 and $21,588 to Whitson for digital consulting on Sept. 17; its filings since add a $32.03 transaction-fee payment to Anedot of New Orleans on Oct. 5, then $24,525 to Clearview Research, $15,025 to Vancore Jones Communications of Tallahassee and $2,886.61 to Yellow Finch Strategies for video production on Oct. 6, for $415,671.28 in 35 payments through Oct. 6 (Division of Elections; our sum). Floridians for Shared Prosperity has spent $33,558.83 in 23 payments through Oct. 2, including $11,312.76 to Jackson Peel of Tallahassee for communications and political consulting on Sept. 29 (Division of Elections; our sum).

Another buyer is on the air and unidentified. WESH in Daytona Beach has an FCC political file folder for “A Better Florida” that now holds 13 documents for three orders, 4479036, 4480309 and 4480609: the contract and NAB form for the newest order went up Oct. 12, and four revised documents for the three orders were uploaded Oct. 13; the folder lists no amounts (FCC public inspection file). WESH 2 reports the new Amendment 3 ads are sponsored by A Better Florida, “a nonprofit organized as a 501(c)(4),” which ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer notes “has been inactive for the past few years”; the state lists no active corporation or political committee by that name, the spots “closely resemble an ad called Math that’s already running from the Save Our Services campaign,” and a No on 3 spokesperson said “the campaign has no idea who or which group is behind the copycat ads” (Hoodline, citing WESH 2).

How it works

Here is what Amendment 3 does on paper. The state’s ballot summary says it raises the homestead exemption for all non-school taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, adjusted for inflation after that; requires the Legislature to set a uniform way for counties and municipalities to raise it as high as full assessed value, and lets special districts do so with voter approval; gives people who are not Florida residents on Dec. 31, 2026 the existing exemption, with the increase starting in their fifth year; cuts the annual cap on non-homestead assessment increases from 10% to 5%; and requires counties and municipalities to use property taxes for public safety, education and schools, infrastructure, natural resources, bond debt service, retirement benefits for employees, and operations and administration. It would take effect Jan. 1, 2027 (Division of Elections amendment record).

The words on the ballot are the second version. In early August, Leon County Circuit Judge David Frank ruled the original ballot language “clearly and conclusively defective” and ordered Attorney General James Uthmeier to rewrite it (WWSB). The state’s page notes the summary was rewritten (Division of Elections amendment record).

What could still stop it

Money is not votes. The amendment needs at least 60 percent (WLRN / News Service of Florida; The Capitolist). St. Pete Polls surveyed 836 likely voters Oct. 5 to 7 for Florida Politics, margin of error 3.4 points: 41.9 percent support, 35.0 percent oppose and 23.1 percent undecided (St. Pete Polls). Its question described the measure as one “that would eliminate non-school property taxes on homesteaded primary residences,” which is not what Amendment 3 does; it raises the non-school homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028 (St. Pete Polls; Florida Politics; NBC 6). Florida Politics, which commissioned the poll, rounds it to 42 percent, “18 points short,” down 3 from the pollster’s mid-September 45 percent with 30 opposed and 25 undecided; undecided voters “would have to break nearly 80-20 in favor for it to pass.” Former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, who voted in June to put it on the ballot, said last week she will vote no: “I think it is a well-intentioned bill, but you know, the road to hell is paved with them” (Florida Politics). Mason-Dixon, for NBC 6 and Telemundo, interviewed 625 registered voters who said they were likely to vote, Sept. 28 to Oct. 1, margin of error no more than 4 points: 55 percent yes, 26 no, 19 undecided; Republicans 74 to 13, Democrats 36 to 43, independents 43 to 29, with Southeast Florida the weakest region at 48 to 31. Among supporters, 49 percent gave property taxes being too high as their main reason; 55 percent of opponents cited “concern about cuts to local services, including public safety” (Mason-Dixon poll document; NBC 6). The opposition says it has the better case: Jackson Peel, spokesman for Floridians for Shared Prosperity, said “we have the advantage of the facts on our side” (WFLX). Desloge, who served 15 years as a Leon County commissioner and led the Florida Association of Counties and then the National Association of Counties, said, “This is doing surgery with an ax” (WLRN / WUSF; WCTV). These totals reflect reports through Oct. 2, with some Vote No on 3 Florida rows later; more will land before Nov. 3.

Why it matters across Florida

Every county, city and special district that levies property tax sits under this vote, and the Rays ballpark deal already plans for it. The Tampa Bay stadium agreement names Amendment 3: if Tampa or Hillsborough files for bond validation before the election at the Rays’ request and must repeat it because of Amendment 3 or its implementing law, the Rays reimburse documented costs up to $100,000 combined (Stadium Development and Funding Agreement, Section 3.3(f)); with Hillsborough’s sales-tax hearing now set for Nov. 10 and required before its validation vote, a county filing before the election is no longer possible on that schedule (Tampa Bay Times; our analysis). What the amendment does to school taxes, and the school levies on the same ballot, are in our Amendment 3 school-tax story. Florida Realtors’ board endorsed the amendment Aug. 23 and launched the campaign Sept. 9 (The Capitolist); by Sept. 9 it had put in the first $10 million (WLRN / News Service of Florida). Chuck Bonfiglio Jr., president of Florida Realtors, said, “Affordability is on the forefront for every Floridian, and they need meaningful relief” (WLRN / News Service of Florida).

The fight has gone local. In Seminole, the city took some links off its website after state Rep. Berny Jacques, R-Seminole, accused it of illegal electioneering by providing “information that is not accurate, fair, or impartial” about the referendum. His Sept. 25 letter set a Sept. 30 deadline, quoted s. 106.113(2), Florida Statutes, and said he was “prepared to file a formal complaint to the Florida Elections Commission.” His letter said that “of the seven URLs provided to viewers of the City’s Amendment 3 Information page, six are explicitly advocating for a vote against Amendment 3,” called the seventh “a modified spreadsheet purportedly from Pinellas County Government,” and said the city had “taken a position on Amendment 3 in its official capacity” “as early as Monday, September 21, 2026.” At a special meeting Sept. 30, the council voted to remove opinion-based newspaper articles and certain outside links from its website alert while keeping state data, the amendment text, financial impact reports and the city manager’s graphics, and directed the city attorney to draft a formal response to Jacques. Vice Mayor Chris Burke said of Jacques, “He’s the shame of Seminole. He’s not our representative,” and “When we were in Tallahassee, he brazenly told this body he didn’t care if cities go bankrupt.” Mayor Leslie Waters called it “a great disappointment for a longtime friend,” and council member Trish Springer said, “We’re being manhandled.” Council member Kadi Tubbs said, “I don’t think we’ve done anything wrong, but I don’t think the taxpayers should have to go to court over this.” City Attorney Jay Daigneault told the council, “You might get sued, and it might be by Rep. Jacques, or might be by somebody else.” Jacques sent Largo a similar letter Sept. 1 over a forum featuring former state Sen. Jeff Brandes; the city invited Jacques to take part (Tampa Bay Times; City of Seminole council roster). In Lee County, commissioners were told they would have to cut $121 million from the 2027-28 budget and $159 million the year after if Amendment 3 passes, with options ranging from new taxing units, higher user fees and bonds to a higher tax rate and service cuts. Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass said, “It’s still fees, it’s still taxes, so the state is basically putting the burden back on us, locally to raise taxes so they can basically say they took away taxes” (WGCU).

What to watch

The next Division of Elections reports from Vote Yes on 3 and the three committees against it, including Protect Our Homes and Our Democracy: the report covering Oct. 3 to 9 is due Oct. 16, Oct. 10 to 16 is due Oct. 23, and daily reports are due Oct. 24 to 29 (s. 106.07; Division of Elections calendar). What SGS Inc. buys with the $9.09M. Whether Jacques files an Elections Commission complaint against Seminole. Who is behind A Better Florida’s WESH buy, and what it cost. Whether Stop Unfair Tax Shifts Today’s funders surface. Nov. 3, and the 60 percent line.

Correction

Correction, Oct. 8, 2026: An earlier version of this story said the no side was outspent more than 26 to 1. That ratio compares money raised, $18,000,000 against $680,276.04. In reported spending, Vote Yes on 3’s $4,194,470 is about 10.6 times the two opposing committees’ $395,394.46 (Florida Division of Elections; our arithmetic).

Correction, Oct. 12, 2026: An earlier version of this story said Florida Realtors had given Vote Yes on 3 six checks totaling $18,000,000, from Sept. 3 to Sept. 14, and that a state records check showed no contribution after Sept. 14. Florida Realtors has given seven checks totaling $19,500,000, from Sept. 3 to Sept. 30, 2026; the seventh is $1,500,000 dated Sept. 30 (Florida Division of Elections; our sum).

Correction, Oct. 12, 2026: An earlier version of this story said Floridians for Shared Prosperity had received 48 contributions totaling $223,007.66, including $16,183.41 in kind, and that the two opposing committees had raised $680,276.04 through Oct. 2, with $18,000,000 about 26.5 times that. Through Oct. 2, Floridians for Shared Prosperity had received 63 contributions totaling $230,648.77, including $19,999.52 in kind, and the two committees had raised $687,917.15; Florida Realtors’ $19,500,000 is about 28.3 times that (Florida Division of Elections; our arithmetic).

Correction, Oct. 12, 2026: An earlier version of this story said Vote Yes on 3 had spent $4,194,470, including $4,193,270 to SGS Inc. in four payments, and that the spending gap was about 10.6 to 1 against $395,394.46 for the two no committees, including $22,191.82 by Floridians for Shared Prosperity. Through Oct. 2, Vote Yes on 3 had spent $9,092,632.04, including $9,091,260 to SGS Inc. in six payments, against $406,761.47 for the two no committees, including $33,558.83 by Floridians for Shared Prosperity, a gap of about 22.4 to 1 (Florida Division of Elections; our arithmetic).

Correction, Oct. 12, 2026: An earlier version of this story said A Better Florida’s WESH political file showed one order, 4479036. It also holds a contract for a second order, 4480309, uploaded Oct. 9; the amounts could not be read (FCC public inspection file, WESH).

Correction, Oct. 14: An earlier version of this story said two committees oppose Amendment 3, that together they had raised $687,917.15 through Oct. 2, with Florida Realtors’ $19,500,000 about 28.3 times that, and that they had spent $406,761.47, a gap of about 22.4 to 1. A third committee, No On 3. Protect Our Homes, chaired by Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, had raised $201,000 and spent $72,528; with it, the three committees had raised $888,917.15 and spent $479,289.47 through Oct. 2, about 22 to 1 and 19 to 1 (Florida Division of Elections; our arithmetic).

Correction, Oct. 23, 2026: An earlier version of this story said in its headline that Florida Realtors were still Amendment 3’s only donor, as of state records checked Oct. 13. State records read Oct. 22 show a ninth receipt, $2,016,500 from the National Association of Realtors dated Oct. 9, so Vote Yes on 3 has two Realtor donors and $21,516,510.33 in receipts. Through Oct. 9, the three committees against the amendment had raised $1,094,726.26 (Division of Elections; our sum).