[MrTudo]

I don't mean to start any political thread , but now that the republicans are on a course to implode in Fla, especially with the fallout from the Mark Foley fiasco, do you all think that the politicians will finally get the opening that many of them have drooled over. that is introducing some kind of income ( theft ) tax , pretending that it's something "good" for us?


If so, what do you think will be the short term ( 3-5 years ) implications to the real estate market and investments in Fla and the economy here in general?

[pslOldTimer]

If I recall correctly, the prohibition against a state income tax in Florida is in the Constitution, so it would take an amendment initiative, which must be approved by the voters, in order to establish an income tax.

While the Foley situation may cause Republicans all over to implode at the national level, I don't think it will have much effect on local or state offices. I'm still going to vote for a certain county commission candidate even though he is a Republican -- I made that difficult decision long before Foley.

The Foley thing is actually good for the state and the nation, as the Dems finally put up a truly qualified opponent to Foley this year. If you ignore the party under which he is running, Tim Mahoney was the better candidate even before we learned how Foley took advantage of his position. He's a former, successful, high tech businessman who now operates a think tank that assists economists regarding entrepeneurship, and also owns a large ranch in the center of the state, in the small town of Venus, FL. He has an MBA, not a law degree, and he obvioulsy understands both business and agriculture. His daughter is an honors student, and they are members of a church in Venus.

I voted for Foley in the last few elections, but I was thrilled to discover how much better Mahoney was than Foley, and planned to vote for Mahoney this time, regardless.

[SunnyDog]

Originally Posted by MrTudo

I don't mean to start any political thread , but now that the republicans are on a course to implode in Fla, especially with the fallout from the Mark Foley fiasco, do you all think that the politicians will finally get the opening that many of them have drooled over. that is introducing some kind of income ( theft ) tax , pretending that it's something "good" for us?


If so, what do you think will be the short term ( 3-5 years ) implications to the real estate market and investments in Fla and the economy here in general?

Anyone proposing a FL state income tax should be evicted from FL. The tourists and vacation condo owners pay the bills here, no need for it. And yes the state constitution prohibits it.

[Prichard]

There will be no income tax in Florida, at least not in the next 20-40 years. Our politicians are sneaky enough to figure out how to get outrageous taxes from real estate, gas, and tourism. The coffers are overflowing with tax dollars and counties can't spend it fast enough to justify the budgets they already have.

[tiredinfla]

Originally Posted by MrTudo

I don't mean to start any political thread , but now that the republicans are on a course to implode in Fla, especially with the fallout from the Mark Foley fiasco, do you all think that the politicians will finally get the opening that many of them have drooled over. that is introducing some kind of income ( theft ) tax , pretending that it's something "good" for us?


If so, what do you think will be the short term ( 3-5 years ) implications to the real estate market and investments in Fla and the economy here in general?

This would be an appropriate political joke!

While walking down the street one day a US Senator is tragically hit by a
truck and dies.
His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.
"Welcome to heaven," says St.Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there
is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so
we're not sure what to do with you."
"No problem, just let me in," says the senator.
"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up.. What we'll do is
have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."
"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the senator.
"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."
And with that, St Peter escorts the senator to the elevator and he goes
down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle
of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse, and standing in
front of it are all his friends and other politicians who have worked with
him.
Everyone is very happy and attired in evening dress. They run to greet
him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while
getting rich at the expense of the people.
They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar, and
champagne.
Also present is Satan himself, who really is a friendly guy, who has a
good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that
before he realizes it, it is time to go.
Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator
rises...
The elevator goes up, up, up, and the door reopens in heaven where St.
Peter is waiting for him.
"Now it's time to visit heaven."
So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls
moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good
time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and ST Peter
returns.
"Well then, you have spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now
choose your eternity."
The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers, "WELL, I would never
have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would
be better off in hell."
So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to
hell.
Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren
land covered with waste and garbage.
He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and
putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.
The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. "I
don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here and there
was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank
champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland
full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"
Satan looks at him, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning.
Today you voted."

[FL_TN_Nana]

Oh, that is too funny! Love it! Maybe I can copy it and send it around to my email buddies. (Unfortunately, it does mimic reality.)

[Need_affordable_home]

Originally Posted by MrTudo

I don't mean to start any political thread , but now that the republicans are on a course to implode in Fla, especially with the fallout from the Mark Foley fiasco, do you all think that the politicians will finally get the opening that many of them have drooled over. that is introducing some kind of income ( theft ) tax , pretending that it's something "good" for us?


If so, what do you think will be the short term ( 3-5 years ) implications to the real estate market and investments in Fla and the economy here in general?

I can see another 20-30% price drop from the bottom of the market with a Florida income tax. The situation is already very bad, more taxes will worsen it! There will be millions leaving Florida when a state income tax gets imposed. Mostly the immigrants and the rich will stay. Itll still be a good vacation place but a bad place to reside in unless you got too much money or are an imigrant where you can find any low wage job in no time and get a nice house for cheap as prices will be so much lower.