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Amendment 5 still on November ballot

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Aug. 20, 2008 – Amendment 5, Florida’s proposed constitutional amendment that would lower property taxes by 25 percent up to 40 percent depending on where you live, will remain on the November ballot pending a decision by the Florida Supreme Court, which is expected in early September.

“Even though a lower court threw the amendment off the ballot last Thursday, the appeal by the state triggers a ‘stay’ of that order – meaning Amendment 5 is still officially on the ballot until the Supreme Court decision,” says Florida Association of Realtors (FAR) Vice President of Public Policy John Sebree.

The Florida Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments for Monday, Sept. 8, in Tallahassee. Sebree says that a final decision on the amendment will probably be delivered later that same week.
 
“For the past few days, the news media has mistakenly reported that Amendment 5 will not be on the November ballot,” Sebree says. “With the Department of State scheduled to approve ballots in early September, it is likely that Amendment 5 will actually appear on absentee ballots regardless of the Florida Supreme Court decision in early September.” Absentee ballots go to print soon after the August primary.

To read more about Amendment 5 and the proposed property tax reform, visit the floridarealtors.org Legislative page at: http://www.floridarealtors.org/LegislativeCenter/TopInitiatives/index.cfm