Home Builders and Contractors Association
of Brevard General Election Endorsement List
After careful consideration and hours interviewing candidates, the HBCA Government Affairs committee has voted to endorse the following candidates running for political office. We encourage everyone to exercise your Right to Vote and do so either during Early Voting Period October 27 through November 3; absentee ballot or at your precinct from 7 am to 7 pm on November 6th. Click Here to visit the Supervisor of Elections website for polling information.
U.S. Senate Rick Scott
Florida Cabinet Races
Governor Ron DeSantis
Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis
Attorney General Ashley Moody
Commissioner of Agriculture Matt Caldwell
The Florida Home Builders Political Action Committee (FHB PAC) endorses the above state cabinets for the primary races. The FHB PAC seeks to ensure a favorable environment for the home building industry.
Brevard County
State House of Representatives
District 50 Rene Plasencia
District 51 Tyler Sirois
District 52 Thad Altman
District 53 Randy Fine
Senate
District 14 Dorothy Hukill replacement Tom Wright
County Commission
District 2 Bryan Lober
District 4 Curt Smith
Brevard Public Schools – School Board
School Board District 1 Misty Belford
School Board District 2 Charles Parker
School Board District 5 Katye Campbell
During the Florida Home Builders Leadership Conference the FHBA Board of Directors and Government Affairs leadership discussed and voted to Oppose Amendment 1, and voted to support Amendment 2. Both amendments impact the home building industry. Below is a summary of the amendments and FHBA’s position to help YOU decide.
AMENDMENT 1, INCREASED HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION:
Summary: Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to increase the homestead exemption by exempting the assessed valuation of homestead property greater than $100,000 and up to $125,000 for all levies other than school district levies. The amendment shall take effect January 1, 2019.
FHBA Position: Oppose Amendment 1
“The FHBA’s opposition to Amendment 1 is not related to its fundamental purpose, decreasing taxes and making homes more affordable. It is solely a reflection of out-of-control local government” said Rusty Payton, FHBA CEO. “Our opposition is rooted in the realization that many local governments are out of control and will attempt to fill any void in revenues by increasing impact fees and using them for purposes not allowed by law. Their actions will only exacerbate the home affordability crisis, the very thing the amendment is trying to help.”
AMENDMENT 2, LIMITATIONS ON PROPERY TAX ASSESSMENTS:
Summary: Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to permanently retain provisions currently in effect, which limit property tax assessment increases on specified nonhomestead real property, except for school district taxes, to 10 percent each year. If approved, the amendment removes the scheduled repeal of such provisions in 2019 and shall take effect January 1, 2019.
FHBA Position: Support Amendment 2
“Permanently retaining the 10% limitation on tax increases for rental and other properties is good public policy,” said FHBA President, Bill Truex. “These provisions, which are already in effect, allow companies to use the savings on wages, capital investments and other business enhancement priorities. Voting to not continue the property tax cap would result in increased taxes, moving our economy backwards.
