[shevsky31]

Here's the link:
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8OJ8IKO0.htm (broken link)

For anyone that understands Florida politics, I would love if you could explain the likelyhood of the tax swap passing in the senate and becoming an amendment to the constitution. From what I read, if the senate passes it, it will go on the ballot in Nov 2008. Is there a way for it to automatically become a law?

As far as the other senate/house proposals go, which take precedent? Any info would be greatly appreciated, as we need relief now. I love the idea of a higher sales tax and no property tax. The county governments spend way too much money on useless pork anyway.

[Shores9]

From what I understand there will be resistance to "NEW" or "INCREASED" taxes in the senate which is a bunch of BS considering that allowing counties to collect huge windfalls of tax dollars based on increased values not increased tax rate is in effect RAISING TAXES.

The new verbiage Tax Swap is to soften the mentality that there will be increased taxes. The house plan does seem to net lower taxes and is by far more aggressive. I think this was intentional as it will end up being a compromise to a middle ground when it hits negotiations with the Senate for a final law/amendment. Part of this can be a change of statute without voter approval and part needs to go to a vote and neither is tied to the other.

For sure the Senate is dragging its feet here but there is a lot of momentum on the issue and the Governor has said two very important things
1 – regarding taxes “Lower is better”
2 – legislators will have all the time they need to get this resolved whether it be by extending the regular session or calling a special session was done in January.

There is no doubt that some form of tax relief is coming .

Attached is todays Florida House of Representatives release on the new passed resolutions

House Approves Historic Property Tax Relief and Reform.pdf

[shevsky31]

Thanks so much for the attachment. It's a much clearer explanation than the business week article. Let's pray that the House plan gets the most weight and the republican based senate sways their minds towards the proper fiscally conservative platforms that they were elected upon.

[tallrick]

I was very excited on Tuesday but that idiot shooting up VT diverted the news media from this more important subject. The economy of Florida hangs at a balance due to the unfair taxation we suffer under. This nonsense has taken time from my life and held back many people I know, and driven away others. What else can we do to get the State Senate to pass the plan from the House? The citizens of Florida need to realize that unless property taxes are controlled, Florida's only industries, tourism and development will fail, eliminating the torrent of capital inflating the bubble. A higher sales tax might have the additional benefit of squeezing the retail sector, and lowering demand for shopping centers and other retail development.

What do we REALLY need from government? Roads, public parks, police, fire, how much does it cost, and how much comes from property tax? As for schools, we all know they are very wasteful. Cutting taxes would put pressure to streamline administrative costs. Businesses do it, why not local government? Also sales taxes are closely tied to incomes, unlike property taxes which are able to be raised at will. A 100% homestead exemption will also encourage more home improvement, in fact I would take the tax money saved and install a new driveway, paint the house and purchase roll down hurricane shutters. What will people do with all the tax money they save from their homes...SPEND IT!

[mhoward48]

I hope this helps. The property tax in Florida seems so unjust.

How many people lost there homes due to the high taxes and ins? I know a lot of it was due to the sub prime loan mess. I wonder where we can find the data, that would show the difference between the two?