Why We Support Amendment 1

Amendment 1 is the first question on the constitutional amendment section of your ballot this Tuesday. It deals with Florida's rainy-day fund, the Budget Stabilization Fund, and it asks voters to let the state save more of its money for emergencies. The Polk County Republican Executive Committee joins the Republican Party of Florida in recommending a YES vote.

We want to be straightforward with our voters: Republicans are not unanimous on this one. Gov. Ron DeSantis has recommended a no vote, arguing that the fund is already full and that surplus dollars should go to tax relief. That is a serious argument from a governor who has done more than anyone to put Florida's finances in order. We respect it. We still believe the case for Amendment 1 is strong, and here is why.

Quick facts: Amendment 1

• What it does: Raises the cap on Florida's rainy-day fund from 10 percent to 25 percent of general revenue collections.
• How it fills: The Legislature sets aside $750 million a year, or less if that is all it takes to reach the cap.
• When the money can be used: Emergencies, revenue shortfalls, or a critical state need approved by two-thirds of the Legislature.
• Taxes: It raises no tax. It decides how much of the money Florida already collects is held in reserve.
• Who put it on the ballot: The Legislature, 100 to 1 in the House and 29 to 4 in the Senate.
• The Polk GOP position: Vote YES, in line with the Republican Party of Florida.

What does Amendment 1 actually do?

Today the Florida Constitution caps the rainy-day fund at 10 percent of the prior year's general revenue, about $5 billion right now. Amendment 1 lets that reserve grow to as much as 25 percent. To get there, the Legislature would set aside $750 million a year, or a smaller amount once the fund nears its new ceiling.

The money is not locked away forever. Lawmakers could still draw on it to cover an emergency or a shortfall in revenue, and they could skip a year's deposit when the fund has been tapped. For other critical needs, the bar is higher: a two-thirds vote, and no more than once every five years for skipping a deposit.

Why save more?

Because Florida knows what bad years look like.

The last time the state had to draw down the fund was in 2008, during the Great Recession, when Florida faced a multibillion-dollar shortfall. "The state of Florida was not prepared for that recession," then-House Speaker Daniel Perez said when the Legislature passed this amendment.

Polk County also knows what a storm can do. When Hurricane Ian crossed Central Florida in 2022, growers in parts of Polk reported losing 50 to 90 percent of their citrus crops. Hurricanes, recessions and emergencies do not wait for the budget calendar.

A state that has money in the bank when trouble comes does not have to raise taxes or cut essential services to get through it. As Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power put it: "Floridians work hard for what they have. Government should not spend it all and then come back for more."

Doesn't Florida already have healthy reserves?

It does, and that is a credit to Gov. DeSantis. Florida expects to finish this fiscal year with at least $18 billion in reserves, and the rainy-day fund has tripled on his watch.

Amendment 1 is about the years after this one. Governors change and legislatures change. Writing a savings habit into the Constitution means the discipline Florida has shown under Republican leadership does not depend on who holds office a decade from now. Senate President Ben Albritton described it simply: it "makes Florida's balance sheet more durable in difficult times."

Good Republicans can weigh that differently, and some have. Our recommendation follows the state party's, and we think it is the right call.

Why should Polk County vote YES?

• It saves for hard times. A bigger reserve means emergencies and recessions do not have to mean tax increases.
• It raises no taxes. It sets aside money the state already collects.
• It lasts. It makes fiscal discipline part of the Constitution, beyond any one governor or Legislature.
• It had broad support in Tallahassee. The House passed it 100 to 1 and the Senate 29 to 4.
• The Republican Party of Florida recommends YES.

Frequently asked questions

What is Florida's rainy-day fund? The Budget Stabilization Fund, created by voters in 1992, is the state's savings account for emergencies and revenue shortfalls.

Does Amendment 1 raise taxes? No. It changes how much of the state's existing revenue can be held in reserve.

Can the money still be used in an emergency? Yes. The Legislature can withdraw it for emergencies and revenue shortfalls, and for other critical needs with a two-thirds vote.

Why does Gov. DeSantis oppose it? He has said the fund is already full and that surplus revenue should go to lower taxes. We respect that view. The Republican Party of Florida endorsed the amendment, and we join the state party.

How much of the vote does it need? Like every constitutional amendment, 60 percent.

When is the election? Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open from 7 AM to 7 PM at your assigned precinct.

How to vote in Polk County

Early voting has ended. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and polls are open from 7 AM to 7 PM at your assigned precinct, which you can find with the Supervisor of Elections' Precinct Lookup. Bring a current, valid photo ID with your signature. If you have a mail ballot, it must be received by the Supervisor of Elections by 7 PM on Election Day. For everything else, see the Polk County GOP Voter Guide.

On Amendment 1, vote YES.

Sources

1. Amendments: As Easy As 1, 2, 3, Republican Party of Florida
2. What is Florida's Amendment 1? What it would change and why Gov. Ron DeSantis opposes it, CBS News Miami
3. What Florida voters need to know about Amendments 1 and 2, WUSF, Oct. 15, 2026
4. Hurricane Ian hit Florida's citrus growers when they were already down, WLRN, Oct. 21, 2022
5. Florida GOP officially endorses Amendments 1 and 3, Republican Party of Florida
6. Gov. DeSantis signs $117.6B Florida budget with tax relief, debt reduction and record reserves, FOX 13
7. Florida Amendment 1, Changes to Budget Stabilization Fund Amendment (2026), Ballotpedia

Paid political advertisement paid for by the Polk County Republican Executive Committee, 6039 Cypress Gardens Blvd; Box 108, Winter Haven, FL 33884. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.