Gov. Charlie Crist has endorsed the constitutional amendment on the Nov. 4 ballot that would create a property tax break for conservation land.
If approved by 60 percent of Florida voters, the amendment would create a property tax exemption for land set aside permanently for conservation and would allow land being used for conservation, but not permanently set aside, to be taxed according to its conservation use rather than its “highest and best use.”
No organized opposition has surfaced to the amendment but critics have questioned the effect of the tax break on government revenues and a lack of details about how a landowner would qualify for the tax break.
The state Legislature would enact the details if the amendment passes voter muster. The conservation tax provisions would become effective in 2010.
Source: Naplesnews.com
