When all taxing authorities are considered, roughly $478 million dollars in taxes are on the line for Hillsborough County residents as they—along with voters across the state—decide on whether to approve a constitutional amendment that would raise the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 the first year, and then up to 250,000 after the second year.
No one can argue that affordability will be the defining issue of upcoming elections. There is much debate to be had be had about how plans from lawmakers in Tallahassee—who rushed the amendment during a two-day special session—will affect municipalities across the state who will have to reimagine how they would serve residents should the amendment, which is already under litigation, earn 60% approval in November.
Hillsborough County’s Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez, a Tampa Catholic and Princeton grad, will lead a discussion about not just taxes, but real estate, development, policy, and more on Wednesday’s “State of the Market” event in Ybor City.
“This is a fundamental change in how we fund local government, and how we shape our local communities,” Henriuquez told WMNF Tampa public affairs program this morning. “For good, better, and indifferent, theoretically, individual citizens have the ability to have some say so in that, that would not be the case under this scenario.”
“It’s fast-paced,” Henriquez added about the event. “Some of the most eminent experts in the real estate market, everything from brokers to realtors to investors, to you name it, on various panel discussions.”
Guests coming to the Cuban Club include economist Ryan Severino (from BGO, formerly known as BentallGreenOak) and former State Sen. Jeff Brandes (now leader of the Florida Policy Project).
This article appears in June 11 – 17, 2026.