Florida lawmakers have taken significant steps to amend Governor Ron DeSantis’ property tax plan, aiming to protect funding for schools and local services. The proposed constitutional amendment, which initially sought to exempt property taxes for homeowners, has been revised to ensure that school funding remains intact. This change comes after concerns were raised about the potential loss of $14 billion in local government revenues, with 40% of that impacting school budgets. The amendment, named 'Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes,' aims to increase the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028. However, the exclusion of school funding from tax exemptions means that the savings for homeowners will be significantly less than previously advertised by DeSantis. Lawmakers from both parties expressed frustration over the rushed nature of the proposal and the lack of transparency regarding its implications. Public comments from local officials highlighted the potential negative impact on essential services, raising concerns about the feasibility of maintaining current service levels under the new tax structure. The amendment is scheduled for a vote soon.