Lt. Gov. Jay Collins said he is frustrated that the November ballot amendment to increase homestead exemptions does not include a grant program for fiscally constrained counties. The amendment would raise the homestead exemption on non‑school levies to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with future increases tied to the consumer price index. Under the proposal, local governments would limit ad valorem revenue use to categories such as public safety, infrastructure, schools, natural resource projects, debt service, pensions and government operations, and would fund county constitutional officers and commissions. Collins said the grant was intended to help counties with low industry and home values reset their property tax rolls without providing long‑term subsidies. He noted that the 29 constrained counties, which include Baker, Bradford, Calhoun, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Okeechobee, Putnam, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Wakulla and Washington, could lose 20% to one third of their revenue if the amendment passes, according to the Florida Association of Counties. Governor Ron DeSantis supports the amendment but said he will not campaign for it because of changes made in the legislative process, and other candidates, including U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, share similar concerns about the impact on poorer rural counties. The amendment lacks a grant provision, but supporters said a program could be created during the implementation session after voter approval.