Here’s quick recap of who VoteWater is endorsing in the Nov. 3 general election – and why.

Jose Javier Rodriguez, Attorney General: Rodriguez has been an ardent champion of conservation since his days in the Florida House of Representatives a decade ago. He’s made fighting corruption a centerpiece of his campaign, which is fitting as he’s running against incumbent James Uthmeier, who was the “mastermind” behind “Alligator Alcatraz” and a central figure in the Hope Florida scandal.

Said Rodriguez: “Floridians deserve an Attorney General who will stand up to corruption and protect the resources that keep our communities healthy and strong, and for too long, we haven’t had one. Clean water isn’t optional — it’s essential to our economy, our environment, and our way of life. As Attorney General, I’ll hold polluters and special interests accountable and make sure our laws are enforced to protect Florida’s water — for our families, our kids, and future generations.”

Gloria Romero Roses, House District 113: Roses, a small business owner with a background in assisted living and real estate, believes Miami is at a crossroads: “The policies we set today on what and where we build shapes whether we will have clean water when we open the tap or swim in the bay,” she said.

She also supports efforts to crack down on polluters. “Today we fail to enforce laws that undermine our water supply, and even when we do, the measures are so pathetic that we fail to hold polluters accountable. This means we end up passing the costs for clean-up on to the taxpayer. It’s wasteful, and Floridians deserve better,” she said.

Steve Friedman, Islamorada Village Council, Seat 2: Friedman, the incumbent in the race, is a long-time friend to the clean-water cause. A backcountry fishing guide and the former Commodore of the Florida Keys Fishing Guides Association, he helped form Florida Bay Forever, served on the Islamorada Near Shore Water Regulation Committee and is a member of Captains for Clean Water.

“From our very first council meeting when we strongly opposed overturning the previous council’s decision on building permits by more than doubling them, to our proposed resolution last summer opposing the billion-dollar ‘Alligator Alcatraz” boondoggle in the heart of The Everglades, our focus has been guarding against overdevelopment and protecting our waters,” said Friedman.

NO on Amendment 3: VoteWater is warning Floridians that Amendment 3, the Homestead Tax Exemptions, Property Assessments, and Spending Restrictions Amendment on the Nov. 3 ballot, could have a devastating impact on clean water and Florida’s natural environment.

If approved by 60 percent of Florida voters, Amendment 3 would raise the non-school homestead property tax exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027; $250,000 in 2028; then index it to inflation beginning in 2029. Florida TaxWatch estimates that Amendment 3 would cut local property taxes by an estimated $45.8 billion over five years.

The state’s five water management districts could see tremendous impacts, with some estimates showing ad valorem collections falling by $251 million annually once the changes are fully phased in. The South Florida Water Management District alone could see lost revenue of more than $100 million per year, which could impair the district’s ability to pay for Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) cost-share projects which have not already been funded.

Local government revenue shortfalls could impact parks, stormwater management, water quality projects, reef maintenance and other vital services.

“The cost of Amendment 3 is just too high for Florida’s waterways and natural environment,” said VoteWater Executive Director Gil Smart.