ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An appeals court decision could block the Orange County rent stabilization ordinance that is currently on the ballot.
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A panel ruled in favor of Florida realtors and the apartment association that wanted to block the measure.
This comes less than two weeks before the election.
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Orange County has already counted more than 31,000 ballots so far, and Orange County Elections Supervisor Bill Cowles said there’s still time before a final decision is made.
Those in favor of the rent stabilization ordinance gathered outside the commission building Friday in support of the measure to cap rents for a year.
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The appeals panel majority said the ballot summary, the wording that people see when they vote, did not adequately describe the measure.
However, a new opinion filed Friday morning also clarifies that the status of the ordinance is still a possibility the county can file another motion for a rehearing.
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Meanwhile, Mayor Jerry Demings issued a statement today saying that he’s willing to fight this in court.
“The Court confirmed that the law in Florida sets an extremely high bar for local governments wishing to pass a rent control measure.” Demings said. “Orange County will be filing a motion for rehearing.”
Orange County has until Monday to file the motion and then must wait for a response.
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