Weekly Update for Elections 2026

9/19/2026 - Candidate Question of the Week: Courtesy of the Cape Coral Breeze:

“If Amendment 3 passes, how would you address the drop in revenue from property taxes?”

Mayor: 
•  Lisa Cohen-Adkinson
If Amendment 3 passes, we must prioritize needs over wants. Cape Coral needs to get back to the basics: Police, Fire, Roads, infrastructure, stormwater, and maintaining what we already own.  But that doesn’t mean saying no to everything else; it means thinking outside the box.  I call them “Vanity Projects.” Want Grandma’s name on a bench?  Sell the naming rights for 5, 10, or 20 years.  Want to name a section of City Hall or sponsor a community amenity?  Let’s create those opportunities.  I’m already working with the state and neighboring council members on successful funding strategies.  We already have a game plan in the works for Cape Coral.
VoteLisa4Mayor.com

•  Richard Erickson
If voters approve tax relief, they should actually get tax relief. My first move would not be to turn around and raise fees or create another tax. We would protect police, fire, emergency services, roads and other basic needs. Then we would go through the rest of the budget and find things we can cut, delay or do better. We also need to control how fast government grows. Cape Coral should be planning for this now, not waiting until the revenue changes. Everyone saw this coming, but they kept spending and spending. Families have to live within a budget. City Hall should have to do the same thing.
ericksonformayor.com

District 4:
• Jennifer Nelson-Lastra (I)
We have to sharpen our pencils. We need to take a hard look at everything currently subsidized through the General Fund, including events and programs such as The Courts, Red, White & Boom, and Bike Night.

In addition, we need to identify efficiencies, eliminate unnecessary spending, prioritize essential services, and find alternative revenue sources that do not disproportionately burden residents. This is exactly why responsible budgeting matters. We cannot simply continue doing business as usual and expect taxpayers to make up the difference.
nelsonfordistrict4.com

James Vargas
If Amendment 3 passes, my first response would not be finding another way to tax residents. I would review the budget line by line, identify overspending, evaluate programs for efficiency, review high-paid positions, and reconsider projects not already contractually obligated. We must also aggressively expand our commercial tax base by encouraging responsible development along our major corridors and streamlining the process for businesses. Property tax relief should actually mean relief. We should not give homeowners greater protection from property taxes with one hand, then simply replace that lost revenue with new taxes and fees with the other.

DISTRICT 1:
• David Newton
I believe Amendment 3 will pass, and as a city we must prepare now for its impact on our budget. We need to get our spending under control and balance the budget before the revenue decline occurs. That means eliminating frivolous spending and prioritizing essential services and the needs of our residents. We also need to recognize that Cape Coral is still growing. I will work to expand our commercial tax base and attract responsible businesses to help offset property tax shortfalls. We need to work smarter so we are not continually relying on taxpayers’ backs.
daveforcape26.com

• Tom Shadrach
Much of the problem can be solved with the surplus funds that are generated from our conservative financial budget policies. In addition to correcting our policies, our largest costs is staffing. Freezing hiring would be a starting position to allow the time to deep dive into our costs to better determine cost savings. Our city management does not know how to cut costs, this will be a new learning curve for them to do. Also, lobbying the state for a larger piece of municipal sharing need to be pursued. The state has large surpluses that need to be used to help Cape Coral through this change.
tomshadrach.com

DISTRICT 6:
• Liza King
The city’s responsibility will be to adapt and not immediately look for another way to send residents the same bill.

We protect public safety and essential services. Then we identify efficiencies and examine every available revenue source. We also need to grow our commercial tax base. Economic development that brings businesses, employment and tourism can enhance and diversify our revenue tax base.  I would also advocate aggressively for Cape Coral to receive its fair share of state and federal funding and pursue grants and partnerships wherever appropriate.

Amendment 3 would change the way local government operates. If voters demand that change, the City Council needs to be prepared to lead through it while protecting public safety, infrastructure and essential services.
Kingforcapecouncil6.com

• Annette Warren
If Amendment 3 passes, voters will have spoken, and the city must adapt — not simply replace lost property-tax revenue with new fees. I would protect police, fire and essential services first, then examine vacant positions, administrative costs, contracts, program modifications and projects that can be delayed or consolidated. We also must aggressively grow Cape Coral’s commercial tax base so homeowners carry less of the burden. I would work with Tallahassee as implementation moves forward. A significant revenue reduction will require difficult decisions, but those decisions should begin with the government becoming more efficient-not automatically asking taxpayers for more.
annette4capecoral.com