Amendment 6, meant to throw a lifeline to Florida's maritime industry by giving it a property tax break, has passed.
The measure on Tuesday's ballot said marinas, bait shops, boat yards and other maritime businesses would be assessed at their current use. State policy now says they should be taxed at their "highest and best" potential use, like a coastal hotel or condominium complex.
That put such businesses under tremendous pressure as coastal property values have skyrocketed in recent years. With 98 percent of the expected vote counted, the amendment had 70.5 percent support.
The measure, like all amendments, needed 60 percent approval to pass. There was no organized opposition.
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