Members of Southwest Florida’s state legislative delegation were guests at a Chamber of Commerce Luncheon in Ft. Myers Wednesday.

Lawmakers briefed business leaders on what to expect from the upcoming special legislative session – aimed at reducing Floridian’s property tax burdens. Republican State Senator Burt Saunders says whatever the outcome, he thinks the state’s Save our Homes Amendment – which limits property tax increases on homesteaded properties – is here to stay.

“now that we are there however, Save our Homes is a permanent part of the Florida Constitution, I don’t believe that homesteaded property owners are going to do anything to change the constitutional amendment – it would require 60 vote of electorate to change that – and most people who vote are homesteaded property owners – so that’s not going to change.”

Saunders says therefore lawmakers have to work around the law. And that in the upcoming special session they need to find a way to make the system fairer for all ad valorem tax payers, business owners, second home owners and renters. The special session begins June 12th.