State Considers Recount on Amendment Three
November 6th, 2008 by flanewsFloridians voted for more property tax exemptions and an extra ban on gay marriage. While three of the six amendments passed, the fate of an amendment to give tax exemptions to people who build green homes or strengthen them against hurricanes still hangs in the balance. As Whitney Ray tells us, the state may order a recount on amendment three.
Hear it Here: State Considers Recount on Amendment Three
Marina and water front business owners will receive tax breaks, so will people who conserve their land.
“Folks, who want to protect their property and keep it in private ownership, are now going to be able to get some tax relieve by doing that,” said Preston Robinson, an amendment three supporter.
A controversial ban on gay marriage also passed the 60 percent voter threshold. Opponents of the ban say the new law will affect couples gay and straight.
“What we have now is a situation where there is real concern that domestic partnership benefits for our large senior population in Florida in particular are threatened when it comes to their insurance benefits and hospital visitation,” said Damien Filer who opposed the ban.
The future of an amendment offering tax breaks to people who build green homes or strengthen them against hurricanes hangs in the balance.
Amendment three is still too close to call. The state may order a recount on three. Secretary of State Kurt Browning said a ballot misprint could have altered the results.
“There were precincts in Broward County that had amendment three twice on the ballot. They need to determine how many of those were cast and adjust the results accordingly,” said Browning.
Initial estimates show the amendment with 60.4 percent of the votes, which is enough to pass if nothing changes.
Amendments one and eight failed. One sought to eliminate a part of the state’s constitution which says aliens ineligible for citizenship, can’t own property in Florida. The law was written in the early 1900’s and was meant to keep Asians from buying land. Eight would have allowed counties to raise taxes temporarily to help fund community colleges.
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