There are new campaign ads flooding the governor’s race. Democratic candidate Charlie Crist released his first campaign ad this month. In it, the former governor claims:

    “We cut property taxes for seniors and our middle class."

PolitiFact Florida took a look at the claim and rated it MOSTLY TRUE. Reporter Joshua Gillin says it dates back to two different constitutional amendments.

“This goes back when he was governor. In 2007, he implemented Amendment 6, which voters voted for in 2006, it was the same year they voted him into office,” Gillin said.

Amendment 6 increased the homestead exemption for some seniors. The exemption went to those making less than $23,414. The exemption applied to cities and counties, not to school districts or special districts.

The second amendment, Amendment 1, was passed in 2008. That change was aimed at giving Florida residents a break on property taxes. Crist claims the break was "for our middle class,” but doesn’t define it. Most homeowners saw some sort of benefit from the constitutional amendment, no matter their income level.

Amendment 1 increased the homestead exemption, saving homeowners an average of $240 on property taxes a year. It also allowed homeowners to transfer their tax benefits to a new residence.

Since both of those amendments happened during Crist’s tenure as governor, PolitiFact rated the claim MOSTLY TRUE.

SOURCES: CHARLIE CRIST AND TAX BREAKS FOR SENIORS AND MIDDLE CLASS

  • PolitiFact's ruling
  • YouTube video, "Sunshine," July 7, 2014
  • YouTube video, "Not Buying It," July 8, 2014
  • Orlando Sentinel, "Ad Watch: Governor’s race," Sept. 27, 2006, accessed July 8, 2014 via Nexis
  • Palm Beach Post, "‘I will fight like a dog’ to make pledge reality, Crist tells seniors," Oct. 14, 2006, accessed July 8, 2014 via Nexis
  • Associated Press, "Crist, Davis court senior vote with tax breaks, cheap medicine," Oct. 18, 2006, accessed July 8, 2014 via Nexis
  • Associated Press, "Davis, Crist differ on how to reduce property taxes," Oct. 30, 2006, accessed July 8, 2014 via Nexis
  • Stuart News, "All’s not well on homestead," Oct. 31, 2006, accessed July 8, 2014 via Nexis
  • Orlando Sentinel, "Crist OKs seniors’ tax break," April 10, 2007, accessed July 8, 2014 via Nexis
  • Jacksonville Business Journal, "Crist signs homestead exemption for low-income seniors," April 10, 2007, accessed July 8, 2014 via Nexis
  • Associated Press, "House GOP to modify property tax reform plan," March 15, 2007, accessed July 8, 2014 via Nexis
  • South Florida Sun-Sentinel, "All six proposals pass," Nov. 6, 2008, accessed July 8, 2014 via Nexis
  • Tampa Bay Times, "Amendment 1 delivers record plunge in Pinellas taxable property values," April 16, 2008
  • Tampa Bay Times, "Despite Amendment 1, Floridians are still trapped in their homes," Feb. 7, 2009
  • Miami Herald, "Gov. Crist signs $66.5 billion budget, breaks tax pledge," May 27, 2009
  • PolitFact Florida, "Alex Sink supported 'higher property taxes,' Florida GOP says," Feb. 24, 2014
  • Florida House of Representatives, "CS/HB 333," accessed July 8, 2014
  • Florida House of Representatives, "CS/SB 1588," accessed July 8, 2014
  • Interview with Kevin Cate, Crist campaign spokesman, July 7, 2014
  • Interview with Amy Baker, Office of Economic & Demographic Research coordinator, July 8-10, 2014
  • Interview with Kurt Wenner, Florida TaxWatch vice president of tax research, July 10, 2014