Initiatives and most candidates backed by FAR win their races

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Nov. 5, 2008 – All Florida Senate candidates backed by the Florida Association of Realtors’ Political Action Committee (RPAC) won their respective seats. In the Florida House, 94 percent of RPAC-supported candidates won. Two races remain very close and are subject to a recount (District 9, Peter Boulware, and District 11, Debbie Boyd).

RPAC-supported candidates who lost their races include Linda Myers (District 21), Laura Benson (District 69), Michael DiTerlizzi (District 81) and Howard Coates Jr. (District 85).

To see a complete list of RPAC candidates and how they fared in yesterday’s election, click here.
Constitutional amendments

All three amendments supported by FAR passed by the required 60 percent and will become part of the Florida Constitution. They include:


• No. 3: Changes and Improvements Not Affecting the Assessed Value of Residential Real Property – Homeowners will receive property tax breaks when they add storm protection to their homes or renewable energy devices. To read the amendment, go to: http://www.votesmartflorida.org/mx/hm.asp?id=nov08_Amendment3.


• No. 4: Property Tax Exemption of Perpetually Conserved Land; Classification and Assessment of Land Used for Conservation – Under this amendment, property owners will receive a property tax exemption for land put aside for preservation. To read the amendment, go to: http://www.votesmartflorida.org/mx/hm.asp?id=nov08_Amendment4.


• No. 6: Assessment of Working Waterfront Property Based Upon Current Use – Property such as marinas will be taxed at “current use” rather than “highest and best use.” To read the amendment, go to: http://www.votesmartflorida.org/mx/hm.asp?id=nov08_Amendment6.

© 2008 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

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