When all taxing authorities are considered, roughly $478 million dollars in taxes are on the line for Hillsborough County residents as they—along with voters across the state—decide on whether to approve a constitutional amendment that would raise the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 the first year, and then up to 250,000 after the second year.
No one can argue that affordability will be the defining issue of upcoming elections. There is much debate to be had be had about how plans from lawmakers in Tallahassee—who rushed the amendment during a two-day special session—will affect municipalities across the state who will have to reimagine how they would serve residents should the amendment, which is already under litigation, earn 60% approval in November.
Hillsborough County’s Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez, a Tampa Catholic and Princeton grad, will lead a discussion about not just taxes, but real estate, development, policy, and more on Wednesday’s “State of the Market” event in Ybor City…