property taxes (Boca Raton, Weston, Palm Beach: sales, insurance, how much)

[rogerbacon]

I just got my tax assessment (estimate). This is my first year as a property owner so it was quite a shock. I thought we were going to be able to choose the super-exemption option that the state legislature created earlier this year. It turns out, as most of you probably already know, that the super-exemption only becomes an option NEXT year and that is only if the voters approve it by 60%.

What do you think the chances are that voters will approve it?

Was anyone else shocked when they got their tax estimate?

[HGONZ001]

What were you expecting? The state and the insurance companies don't like to lose money. What they are going to do is increase the sales tax to around 8%, and then lower property taxes just a bit. Then in a couple of years, a new hurricane will hit FL, and property taxes will go up again.

[bale002]

Originally Posted by rogerbacon

What do you think the chances are that voters will approve it??

There are a couple of ongoing threads about property taxes on the general Florida form.

I suggest a poll on the general Florida forum, perhaps one now and another in January. Does anyone know how to do it?

[Weston_in_the_Pines]

the whole thing isn't designed to cut taxes, it's designed to cut the INCREASE in taxes. voters will buy into the BS about cutting police, fire, education, etc and probably not approve it in my opinion. people are generally lemmings.

[icelady]

Originally Posted by Weston_in_the_Pines

the whole thing isn't designed to cut taxes, it's designed to cut the INCREASE in taxes. voters will buy into the BS about cutting police, fire, education, etc and probably not approve it in my opinion. people are generally lemmings.

It is not B.S. about cutting all the above!!!!!: Due to the fact I work in the govt. dept. and I am living in Palm Beach Co. It is not B.S. tjhe iteams will be hurt from the super exemption!!!!! In think people need to get educated here. We are already seeing the effects of what is going on with the taxes. I know for the city of Boca Raton they have already laid off 45 people that work in law enforcement. I also Know the School Police have been laid off some of there Officers who were working at county to schools in Palm Beach!!!! I think You need to do the research on this before you vote Yes on the super expt. Because it is not B.S. I guess if hyou are rich or have no children you would vote yes. All others beware on how you vote!!!!!!!!! am really upset about this subject and how the Govn States it wont effect the subjects above and it already has in some areas of FL.

[tallrick]

How did we do it before high taxes then?

[rogerbacon]

Originally Posted by tallrick

How did we do it before high taxes then?

Exactly! Isn't it amazing how government services can be provided for X dollars and then, five years later when the government is taking 2X from the people they say they can't get by if they have to 'cut' taxes down to only 1.85X. The more money government takes from us the easier it is for them to spend it on pet projects or funnel it to corrupt politicians.

On a related note, when I was young the sales tax was 4%. As prices have gone up so has the absolute amount of money that 4% represents so why did the rate have to increase as well?

Too many people want to live in a nanny state where they demand services from the government without realizing the cost (The high speed train ammendment in the Florida Constitution is a perfect example). I would like to see all costs be made transparent so the voeters could become outraged and start repealing some things. If everyone knew how much of their tax dollars were subsidizing the Metrofail they would demand it be privitized or somehow made self-suficient.
Also, gasoline taxes should be posted on every pump. Have you ever wondered why gas taxes are included with the price but taxes on all other products are added in seperately? It is because if most people knew how much they were paying in gas taxes they would revolt. Remember how mad everyone was when they heard about Exxon-Mobil's record profit last year? Well, the government maes more money on a gallon of gas than the gas companies do. Just imagine the outrage people would have if more of them realized that.

Wow, that turned into a rant. Anyway, the take home point: lower taxes and make the government get by on a budget just like regular people do.

[tallrick]

Government is like a parasite, the more you feed it the bigger it gets, and the more it wants. The larger it gets the more its host suffers. Eventually the host weakens and can die, leaving the parasite to die as well. I do not think that Government is able to live by the same rules as private business.

[bfa]

Agreed! I plan on voting for the super exemption in January. It might not be the best plan, but it's a start. Gotta start somewhere, I guess.

[doggiebus]

Can someone explain the super exemption please? What are the benifits and drawbacks to it?