Affordability? For who?' Voters decide between helping homeowners or public services

In Jacksonville, Florida, Rachel Dues pushed her injured niece in a wheelchair to vote as the state’s midterm election focused on housing affordability and public services. The measure on the ballot, Amendment 3, would raise the homestead tax exemption limit from $50,000 to as much as $250,000 over the next two years, cutting billions in local revenue. Supporters say it could eliminate most non-school homestead property taxes over time and deliver thousands in annual savings for some homeowners. Critics warn that shrinking budgets could harm public services, infrastructure, and safety-net programs, pushing costs elsewhere. The story frames the decision as broader than Florida, citing analyses that 11 states have already reined in property taxes.