TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - A ballot proposal that would cut local property taxes by about $570 million annually and possibly much more has cleared its first committee hurdle in the Florida Legislature.
    
But the sponsor acknowledged he'll need to make changes to keep it alive after the 14-8 vote Wednesday.
    
Several members of the Finance and Taxation Committee voted to keep it alive although they had serious reservations about the proposed state constitutional amendment (HJR 1289).
    
The amendment would cut city and county but not school property taxes through a "super exemption" for primary homeowners.
    
The measure also would give the Legislature the power to cut taxes by more than the $570 million estimate by totally exempting primary homeowners from non-school property taxes.
    
In addition, the panel approved bills cutting local business taxes.

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