By Sam

February 12, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

Many of the ideas noted in the column sound good, but they all ignore one major issue. Our taxes are already sky high and they must be scaled back. Many of these fixes don’t seem to take the starting point (already too high taxes) into consideration.

By Mike Fink

February 12, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this

How about removing SOH, and taxing everyone at a lower rate? That’s fair, and that is what should be done.

If we are going to put a spending cap out there, put it on at the govt level (govt cannot collect more then 5% more each year then the collected in the previous year, for example). That way the taxing is controlled, and people have the freedom to move again.

Taxes are insane; how on earth can property values soar 100%, and tax mill rates stay the same? Oh, I forgot, the people who vote don’t care (because they are all capped). Now I understand.

Taxation without represtation in the modern day.

Remove SOH, equalize the tax, and put caps on tax increases at the govt level. Problem solved.

By Betty

February 12, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

I agree with you Mike Fink. However, this is probably to easy for our politicians to understand. SOH is a maglinant tumor growing each day to destroy the economy of Florida.

By Ron

February 12, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

Fink is dead wrong. Why punish those of us who are already protected by SOH with a tax increase? What you need is a commission that will cut YOUR taxes, not raise mine. SOH is the exact “cap” you are asking for. The SOH portability is what is also needed. Spreading the misery is a liberal solution that will not make the real culprits, the commissioners, cut rates and cut spending.

By A.P.

February 12, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

The BOILING POINT is HERE!

I was surprised to see over 300 people at this meeting considering it was during the week, the time of day, and minimal advertising. I happen to read it in the Sun-Sentinel probably 2 weeks ago. I don’t believe the Post made any mention to this meeting in the paper other than today.

They did give out a handout with statistics regarding property tax revenues and possible solutions to the crisis, but the meeting focused on taxpayers VENTING out. Overall, Taxpayers were DIPLOMATIC!

The BOTTOM line was the INEQUITIES between households!

The majority that attended were retirees, snowbirds, and realtors. Due to the majority of middle aged people not being able to get off work, It didn’t get as HEATED up. It could have been MAYHEM!

Number of Palm Beach County Commissioners who showed up was ZERO! Remember this fact when re-election comes up!

A theme that I noticed was the Homesteader VS Nonhomsteader, New home buyers VS Exising Homebuyers before the boom and Snowbirds VS Florida Natives.

The problem is NOT among US as a WHOLE,but WE THE PEOPLE VS THE GOVERNMENT! The GOVERNMENT created this PROBLEM!

As a homeowner and recipient of S.O.H., The SOLUTION to this crisis is EQUAL taxation for EVERYBODY! EVERYBODY needs to CARRY their own weight. The Florida economy depends on it.

I do EXPECT to see significant property tax cuts. They know the TIME is NOW not down the road.

They do see the writing on the wall and that a TAX REVOLT is IMMINENT!

They were also remembered about Proposition 13 that took place in California in 1978!

They’re LISTENING!

By Mike Fink

February 12, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

Ron,

Why punish you? Why pushing everyone else so that you can have artifically low taxes? Come on, that’s the most selfish view I have ever heard. You have gotten a reduced rate ride for how long now? And your upset that finally someone asks you to pay your fair share? Your the one punishing me, and everyone else in FL right now. Just be equitable and fair; that’s not punishment, it’s the right thing to do.

SOH does NOTHING to cut my taxes. It only controls the increases. And sorry, your taxes need to be raised (well, this is according to our govt that is crying poor!) in order to pay for the services. I don’t really believe that, I think that we could all pay your taxes (as a percentage of value) and have some cutbacks with very little effect.

SOH promises that somoene is going to suffer. Capping the spending at the govt level controls the outflow of money, and ensures that everyone pays their fair share. Portability is the worst idea of all, that promises to take a big problem (SOH) and make it huge. Now not only will you not pay your fair share today, you will NEVER pay your fair share as long as you live in FL?

Stop being SO SELFISH!

Of course, what will happen if this issue is not fixed is that the RE prices will just crater further and further. Either way, your neighbor is not going to foot your tax bill forever, it will change one way or the other.

By No One Listens

February 12, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this

No one is listening A.P. People here would rather pay more money than vote for new officials.

When there was more white collar jobs here before, there was a better and more educated class of people here. Nothing but a bunch of dummies that live here now, including the writers for the Palm Beach Post.

Palm Beach Post is too slanted in their news reporting and is losing more customers everyday. Life is about choices. I would rather read the USA Today or the Sun- Sentinel newspapers than the Palm Beach Post.

Good example of poor journalism is right here in these blogs. It has been awhile since I have read these - but is it me or have these blogs gone down the tubes?

A.P. the question you should be asking is did even any of these writers for this Palm Beach Post go to this meeting this morning? Did anyone even see Jeff at this meeting this morning? Jeff says he counted over 300 at this meeting but I didn’t see him there. Did you?

By knuckle

February 12, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

Ron,

You must be Florida educated. No one said to raise your taxes, they said get rid of SOH and tax everyone the same. Cut government spending and only allow a limited tax increase each year.

You lazy, under educated Floridians are so use to everyone else paying your way and crying when others land owners want fare taxes. I could care less if your taxes increase or stay the same. As long as everyone is treated fairly there would be no issue.

Ken Wilkinson is the idiot that caused the problem 15 years ago. How is that guy still in office?

If those with homestead could pull their heads out of their asses for one minute you would realize that the unfair tax system is killing the Florida economy.

Why do you think sales tax revenues didn’t meet estimates the last 3 months. People are not moving into Florida, they are moving out. That means less for those that stay.

Florida has an economy that relies on 2nd home owners and vacationers. Wake up!!!!!!!!!

By knuckle

February 12, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

This is your typical Florida education at work. This is why this state will crumble with out northerners.

By cw1900

February 12, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this

Knuckle,

Here is what you said: “You lazy, under educated Floridians are so use to everyone else paying your way and crying when others land owners want fare taxes.” You also said this: “This is your typical Florida education at work.” Two blanket statements.

I do not have to explain myself. I won’t. Most people here know my positions. I am a homesteaded property owner here in PBC and a property owner of two non-homesteaded houses here in PBC. I also own vacation properties out of state. I get what you are saying. I really do. I have a perspective from 3 different sides of this.

I am not an idiot. I am not lazy, and I am not uneducated.

I hate your attitude. Your attitude is why I left Fairfield County CT years ago, and I promise you I grew up better than you did. I have discussed this on this blog before, not to brag, but to let you know where I am coming from. You sound like another know it all a-hole from the northeast. I know many. Some are the real deal and some are not. I suspect you are not.

On behalf of all Floridians who love this state and love being a Floridian, go blow. We do not need every pompous, rude bastard who thinks we are graced by your presence.

Screw off.

cw

By To No One Listens From A.P.

February 12, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this

I did make a conscious effort to see if Jeff or my buddy Linda was there, but I did NOT see them.

I do think that George Bennet who wrote a latter article was sitting in front of me, but I’m not sure.

Once again, The Post did an INADEQUATE job informing their readers about this meeting.

How surprising!

By chow ping

February 12, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this

cost of government no double just because price of house double

SOH no cause problem. mike fink stupid stupid stupid like all time

if price no double we no argue about SOH

we need tax cut, is simple

“portability” is red herring to avoid tax cut

By to CW

February 12, 2007 8:07 PM | Link to this

Thank you.

Those blowhards are the worst kind.

Katie, Formerly of Saddle River, NJ

By chow ping

February 12, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this

most people here very ignorant include CW

no understand that florida take away intangible tax while counties double tangible (property) tax

republican government in florida constantly shifting burden away from rich people to poor guy who own house and work for living.

you have huge fortune in securities, you no more pay tax in florida

By cw1900

February 12, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this

hey chow boy,

cw totally understand. you know not what you speak.

i understand.

iunderstand completely my situation and my tax situation.

you’re starting to show your true colors.

stop with the ingnorance garbage. it’s not worth my time.

cw

By cw1900

February 12, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

Katie,

You’re welcome.

cw

By ncsux

February 12, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this

I wonder if CW ever asks himself why he spends all his time here insulting people and fighting with people.

I don’t suppose it occurs to him that he is a miserly c********r without a single endearing human quality.

Now that his buddy Max/Rich R. is gone CW has to face the reality that no one likes him.

By Signed

February 12, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

“I wonder if I should give the little slant eyed gal a call tonite? It might be a way to get a date for the night. The cheap beer gives me the runs, and besides, she can do my laundry.”

Signed,

ncsux coming home from his night job at the bowling alley on dixie highway being the guy who runs down the lane and picks up the pins that don’t get picked up when the bowler’s ball goes too slow and it doesn’t knock the pin down all the way, but just as he was wondering if chow ping would go out with him, the muffler on his 1982 Chevy Citation with the coat hanger antenna and the duct tape on the passenger side window falls off and drags along the asphalt…..

By chow ping

February 12, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

at least “signed” understand chow ping is girl

smarter than CW

every person smarter than CW

maybe mike fink too and mike fink stupid stupid stupid

By CPA gal

February 12, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this

The Post seems to give little coverage to a story that gets a lot of press around the state, which is Florida’s tax problem.

The problem is not too little tax money collected, it is too much. Both the state and counties are awash in unexpected revenues from rising house assessments. It is true that Florida is doing away with the intangible tax on securities, starting in 2007, to collect less tax. The arguments I have seen in this column about ‘tax fairness’ and people paying their fair share are meaningless, because more than everyone’s fair share is being collected. The State should continue to reduce taxes to responsible fiscal levels, next targeting reductions in property taxes.

By Wealthy Florida Cracker

February 13, 2007 7:23 AM | Link to this

I really appreciate all of you yankees coming down here and runnin’ up property values for me. I made a mint selling swamp lots that I bought back in the 80’s. I think they call it Palm Beach Gardens now. Muggy Bottoms might have been a better name fer it though.

As fer taxes, didn’t you do yer ‘rithmetic on what the taxes would be before you bought? I learnt how to do percentages back in 4th grade and my pa taught me how to balance my expenses with my income when I was just a youngin’. It ain’t wise to buy something that you can’t afford to keep.

You don’t get to change the rules once you start playin’ the game!

Oh well it’s all good. The carpet-baggers will run back north and property prices will drop back to 1996 levels. Then I’ll cash in that massive CD and buy some more land fer pennies on the dollar. Might just tear down some of them McMansions and put in a peanut farm. Mmmm, gotta love boiled peanuts!

Thanks again. Yall come visit real soon now. Ya hear?

By chow ping

February 13, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this

even chow ping know bad imitation of cracker

chow ping big yankee ok hee hee hee hee hee hee hee

florida cracker stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid :-)

but no money :-(

By chow ping

February 13, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this

chow ping sorry tell florida cracker, $400 in bank no make florida cracker wealthy

chow ping big yankee ok hee hee hee hee hee hee

florida cracker just another mosquito get wiped out when swamp drained

stupid stupid stupid

By Ma Wha

February 13, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this

300 attendees - Just more have nots who can’t make it in Palm Beach County.

By Rich R

February 13, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this

This is going to hurt.

Any change to the SOH, will shift burden. There will be winners and there will be losers.

In order for any changes to be effective, they have to create a tax system that is fair to all.

This will lower taxes for Non-Homestead and raise taxes to Homestead.

Portibility is stupid and will not work. This is like putting a fire out with gasoline.

The more of a line in the sand is drawn, seperating the homesteaders (voters) with Non-Homesteaders (non-Voters), you move closer to a “Taxation without Representation”.

You will be taxing voters at a lower rate then non-voters. We had a tea party in boston over this.

By Ron

February 13, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

Hey Knuckle dragger, get bent. You have more misspelled words in your 2nd grade rant than this space allows me to point out. Apparently you are too stupid to earn enough money to afford your taxes. By a cheaper house dumbass. Or better yet, go back north where you came from. Are you too stupid to know what your taxes would be when you bought? That northeastern education did you a lot of good. We natives with homesteads saw you suckers coming and yet you still insisted on buying that $200k house for $450k. Who’s the idiot? You and your wallet. A fool and his money….

By cw1900

February 13, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

Good morning,

Here’s the first paragraph in the PB Post on the article this morning on the meeting that A.P. told us about. A.P., thanks for the heads up and for your getting involved. Alot of us b***h, but do nothing about it. You’re at least trying to get involved. Thank you.

“Offering one three-minute horror story after another, a parade of angry taxpayers told legislators Monday that Florida’s property tax system has become unbalanced and is hammering snowbirds, renters, businesses, small investors and families hoping to move within the state.”

snowbirds, renters, businesses, small investors and families hoping to move within the state. Let’s break these down.

Snowbirds - Getting the shaft and we need them. That has to be fixed.

Renters - Rent is going up because the non-homesteaded property tax rate has gone up drastically.

Businesses - Same as renters to a point. Prices of goods sold are going up because the non-homesteaded property tax rate has gone up drastically.

Small investors - That’s me. See renters. Rents have to go up because of this mess. The small investors who bought in the past two years are destroyed unless they plunked down a huge percentage of the purchase price (and we all know that didn’t happen), not much I can say that I haven’t already said in past posts. They’re in big trouble.

Families oping to move within the state - Portability is not the answer I’m learning. It will cause even larger problems and even wider gaps. Portability, I’m afraid, sounds good on the surface to the uninformed and the financially ignorant. I agree with Rich R on that one.

Finally, there isn’t any reason for the homesteaded property owner with one residence he or she lives in to complain at all. Those taxes are barely inching up. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. One of the reasons you cannot sell your 3/2 is because the family moving here from proverbial Cincinnati is not going to pay $400,000 for it, $4000 yr for insurance, and $8000 in taxes. That’s why you cannot sell right now. You couldn’t afford it either, why do you think someone of your same socio-economic class can either? They can’t. That’s the problem.

If you are not selling your home and you have been here awhile, and you are homesteaded, and you are still complaining about the taxes and insurance, I have a novel idea. Your are too close to the edge of the cliff. Get rid of the two $375 month car payments and pay off the heloc. That just freed up a grand per month. There. No more problems. Discipline and live within your means. It works every time and then you can handle life’s little emergencies.

So, you homesteaded homeowner, your (and mine) cushy tiny, tax bill is one of the reasons you cannot sell your house. That is a problem. Ron is covering the wagons about protecting his (a natural response), what amounts to a subsidy, and the person who buys his house will have to make up the difference. Fact is Ron, nobody will buy your house if you want to sell now, as I just described above. All of us long term, homesteaded homeowners are in the same boat and, Ron, like me, doesn’t want his taxes raised. I understand that. We all do, however, I agree with Fink a little, but not on any tax increase. Fink brings up valid issues.

To those who bought a primary residence in the past two years, “Wealthy Florida Cracker” brought up a very good point. Those who didn’t bother to figure out what their taxes and insurance would be the next tax year, I have no sympathy. How could you not figure very simple math? Again, the worry about it later philosophy that is so widepspread applies here, and they b***h after the fact. Good point.

Lower all taxes across the board. This county has boatloads of money. They can manage just fine with what they have for awhile. Power slobs who love to spend other people’s money rub me the wrong way.

chow ping, you said, “cost of government no double just because price of house double

SOH no cause problem.

if price no double we no argue about SOH

we need tax cut, is simple”

I totally agree. The cost of the govt has not doubled just because the property values have doubled, and yes, if the prices here haven’t gone up so high, we wouldn’t even discussing this, or RE on a blog for that matter. Chow is right.

Well, our boy ncsux still doesn’t like me. Too bad. Not worth another sentence. I stand by what I said to Knuckle. That attitude I hate.

cw

By Carolina Gal

February 13, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

LOL - Move on up Floridians.

By easyasabc

February 13, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

Talking Japanese…

Talking Japenese…

I don’t think so.

First we had rednecks grumbling, then a cuban rafter boy who will always live in a rental, then the disgruntle new yorkers chimed in, now a asian susie wong. My gut feeling it is Rich R./Max speaking in drag.

Whatever turns you on to be a new character it is ok with me. Just add some informative dialogue here. We all know where most of the “have nots” are comming from.

Did anyone read the disgruntle lady story who is moving to Alabama? How she hates it here, schools are terrible, rent is high, bad jobs, ba ba ba ba ba ba……

Her husband, the mechanic, will be featured one night on the Nancy Grace show.

AP, the politicians don’t care. They know majority of the people who voted in the last local election, will not be at the next election. The problem here is the politicinas are overspending our tax dollars. Yes, we are taxed to much, much of it is wasted. As I said before, the California property tax system would work great here.

Then we have Jeff and Linda….shame on you for being real estate reporters and not showing up at the meeting. I know youg get your information from the Sun-Sentinel news wire. BTW, I saw Mike Fink comments on the Sun-Sentinel real estate comment site. Mike is in his Palm Beach Gardens rental unit, spreading the word of taking away the SOH amendment in all of the major Florida newspapers. We should call him “Preacher Mike”…….

Next meeting is up in Port St. Lucie……

Anybody see a guy with pudding running down his shirt at the meeting?….if you did, that was RCA.

I bet all the realtors were handing out their cards and putting flyers on people’s windshields.

I bet North Carolina came up in discussion every ten seconds.

Look out New England…..here comes the snow….again. Even Barry Manilow got his a*s out of there……I bet some of you didn’t get that joke.

easyasabc

By Swinging in Carolina

February 13, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

Carolina Gal,

Why do you still hang around a blog in south Florida? Do you miss it? Are you a bored housewife who realized the double wide life on a 5 acre piece of farmland isn’t what it’s cracked up to be?

I think you should be browsing adultfriendfinder or swinglifestyle websites and not this one.

At least, it’s more fun to pass the boredom away.

By to easy

February 13, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

Easy, please stop baiting the big old farm girls in NC with thoughts of swinging.

I can’t get it out of my head. It’s not pretty and I’m envisioning tractors and cousins and Aunt Bee’s homemade lard.

Aaaahhhhh!! Noooooo!!!!!!!!! I’m blinded for life!!!!

Run Forest Run

By Realist

February 13, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

Where is that Palm Beach School Boundary person who argued with me about demo stats several months ago? The article below proves he/she was full of it. I know the cheerleaders will be upset but this is exactly what Mike Fink, Rich and I have been saying for months. However this is great news for the folks because in the long run young people and others will be able to afford to live here. Supply and demand solves all issues, tax, insurance and greedy speculators. About 150 to 200 families leaving per week according to the PBC school district. This article puts the nail in the coffin of all cheerleaders and I suspect the reason why our friend Max fled the scene. He seemed like the type that might have inside info before it would be posted to the public.

“Students disappearing in Palm Beach County due to soaring cost of living

South Florida Sun-Sentinel Posted February 13 2007

More than 2,000 students have left Palm Beach County schools since last October and 1,800 more are projected to leave by next October, according to statistics the school district released Monday.”

By To Realist

February 13, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

Again, I have to repeat myself.

Reductions in the number of students is a nationwide phenomena, and will continue for the next couple of years. Most of the baby boomers are over 40, and their children are leaving public schools for higher ed or work. After 1964, the number of people born dropped dramatically for about 10 years.
These are the people whose children are now in school, so school districts across the nation are facing a short-term drop in student population. It will rise again when the children of boomers start having children in the next 5-10 years.

You keep trying to tie this population trend to Florida Real Estate. Using school attendance as a bellweather for the real estate market is just plain innacurate tunnel vision. There are so many other socio-economic factors involved in predicting RE forecasts, not the least of which is that the population is aging, more single-parent household are being formed, and our fertility rate is dropping (having less children per family), as is ocurring an all developed nations of the world. This drives the need for more homes, especially in a place like Florida where in-migration outpaces out- migration by 3X (current statistics).

I’m sorry you can’t seem to give up the sky is falling RE prognostication, but it isn’t. Everything I read in CNN Money, WSJ RE and other well-respected publications shows that S. Fla is one of the few metro area that has yet to see any real price decline over the last year. In the SoFla Business Journal release on 1/22, it shows that while # of sales are down, median prices are up 7% in Miami, 2% in FtLaud, and dropped 1% in PBC - Hardly a crash. Condo prices are up significantly in all 3 markets. We have seen volume decreasing, but that is because the investors/flippers are staying away, and people are only selling if they have to. Builders are scaling back, and once the excess inventory prices will start to rise again, just at more normal inflation-related levels.

BTW, the insurance rollback is real, my Mom just received a $421 rebate on her property insurance yesterday (which went from $1700 to $2200 last year).

Taxes are next, the new governor is doing his job.

Sorry, the future looks bright. Don’t base your analysis on a single statistic, it will almost always yield the wrong result.

By cw1900

February 13, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

Realist,

Here is the rest of your article you did not talk about….

“The enrollment decline will give the district a chance to catch its breath in its still-busy schedule of renovating and replacing older schools and construction to meet state class-size requirements, Sanches said.

The lull is also a chance to work to eliminating the district’s 1,500 portable classrooms, particularly the older ones, Sanches said.

A new middle school set to open in Wellington next year is nearly done and will continue on schedule. A new alternative school will also open as planned. The district will make adjustments as it reviews its five-year plan for facilities in the next several months, Sanches said.

Meanwhile, at Lake Worth Middle, more than 90 percent of the students are from low-income families and the school is anticipating a continuing enrollment decline, from 840 students now to 770 in the fall.

“When you have that large a number of families who qualify for free and reduced lunch, the possibility is higher that they’re renting rather than owning,” said Principal Jesus Armas. “That makes the possibility of moving a lot higher.”

At Lantana Middle School, Toni Fawley, secretary to the principal, said that the student body is expected to decline by about 40 next year.

“From what we’re hearing, people just can’t afford to live here,” Fawley said.”

Realist, this is not news. It is reality. It proves the point. The radiator flush is happening. The code words in that article were too obvious. Wellington = radiator flush in. Lake Worth = radiator flush out. I’m not trying to sound crude, but it’s the truth. The people moving out are less educated, less monied, and less cultured, it’s just fact.

The people who are moving in are the opposite. This takes time. South Florida is slowly changing and these are growing pains, adjustments, if you will.

I was out in Jupiter Farms last Saturday at a social event. That is a textbook case of what I am talking about.

The more rural, redneck way of life that was prevelant not too many years ago out there is almost gone. We were talking about it on Saturday. I drove past two new homes under construction and they were big and soon to be beautiful. The change out there is simply amazing. I wish I would have bought a lot out there 5 years ago for an investment.

The residents at the party were saying the news kids coming into the elementary school are without question more monied than the kids leaving, and by very wide and noticeable differences. That’s not me talking. Those were mothers who said exactly that, who volunteer at the school. Don’t shoot me. I’m just the messenger.

The bottom line out there is that 100% of the new construction out there presently is much larger, more expensive homes than what was built out there just 5 short years ago.

Take a drive. You’ll see what I’m talking about.

This Sun Sentinel article is screaming the following: When you are broke and can’t pay your bills, you move (flee) out of an area much quicker than the people who are not broke and have some money who are thinking of moving in. Those people will take their time and rationally make their move, unlike the typical north GA bandwagon fleeing family.

Your article is proving that. It just takes a little time is all.

cw

By easyasabc

February 13, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

I believe Carolina Gal does not have the high-class clientele customers that she once had in Florida.

She will be back hanging on to a street lamp pole along Dixie Hwy. someday. You can’t pay off your bills with men coming to your trailer with a pie in hand.

Try to remember who runs this country……lawyers, doctors and the insurance industry.

Laws made by lawyers/politicians to protect the rich….

High priced medicine to make the medical firms and doctors more wealthy….

And everyone will always pay through the a*s on all types of insurance……

It is not the florida homeowners here making people of who are the “haves” or “have nots” of what they can afford for a home.

It is the govt., corporate america, your boss, the insurance companies, politicians, and so on who are paying you, taxing you and making you pay for their outrageous prices and wasting our money.

If long time residents have it better off than new residents in paying taxes, don’t cry to them. Long time residents have no control on setting the tax rate.

What some of the “have nots” pay for is a overpriced meal at these fancy restuarants that has Frank Sinatra music playing in the background, while the “haves” are eatting in and listening to their own music. The advantage of a “have not” at a restaurant is that they get up after the meal without doing the dishes. The advantage of a “have” is they can have second helpings of the great food that they made that night and switch over to a Dean Martin cd.

cw, you say alot of good stuff, but remember, most of these people up north are paying just as high in property and sales taxes and have taxes taken out of their paychecks. They are selling at higher prices then most homes in Florida. If they sell, and move here….they still are far ahead of what they can get here than in their own towns.

And with the issue about how police/fire/nurses/teachers won’t be able to afford here…..just look at California, higher prices across the board, and they still have all those services that some of you people complain that will disappear here. So that argument is no longer valid.

Cost of govt. only goes up due to population growth and repairs to infrastructure. It is more of the problem of wasting our tax dollars. Look at the corruption and scandels that is happening here alone in county & city govt’s.

Does local govt. leaders really have to have to issue guidelines on how a politician should act? Common sense says politicians should not fill their pockets with taxpayers money with doing business with companies getting govt. contracts.

Crooks, crooks and more crooks….that is what we have here in govt.

easyasabc

By chow ping

February 13, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

mr. easy max song is turning Japanese i really think so

too complicated for easy max moose

mr. easy max, no one ever get your joke so no worry

only two people with same point of view

only people put italian in post, like democrats, same person

mr CW, i read blog before start

i see you criticize ncsux first time

he answer back

no worry, is blog, no take seriously

same people meet at party get along good

CW and EZ make money. mike fink no make money. never know law, never know taxes, not know nothing. mike fink stupid stupid stupid

By Realist

February 13, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

To: To Realist

Genius, read the article, your own spokesman said 150 to 200 families a week are leaving due to cost of living. Now look at all the homes for sale (more listings every day very few selling). Are you really trying to argue existing students LEAVING are due to less kids being born? The student’s families have already been born they are in class and leaving to go ELSEWHERE. Look you can whistle in grave yard all you want you can’t change reality.

By Former Floridian

February 13, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

If you own a second home, it’s a luxury and not a necessity. You don’t need it to have a roof over your head and a place to sleep. So if you buy a second home, you should consider taxes and insurance a cost of being affluent.

Second-home owners are part of the reason costs have gone up so much, because they often bid up the price of housing.

Face it, if you have a second home it can be any place, it isn’t tied to a job. So if South Florida is too expensive for your tastes, try Georgia or the Carolinas. They have a lot of wonderful golf courses and fishing lakes and other amenities there, and the cost of housing is much, much less.

By To Realist

February 13, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the compliment.

Prices in the “graveyard” keep going up. RE activity is up for 3 months in a row now. Eventually you will be part of the “radiator flush” that cw so aptly named. See ya!

By Business owner

February 13, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

To Realist, I think Cw makes a lot of sense.

The people who think it is too expensive are leaving, whether you are right or the other person is right about why they are leaving does not seem to matter.

What I see is what cw is saying and his analogy of the Jupiterfarms. The families I see moving out do not have the same amount of money or education level as the people moving in.

That is certainly my perception and I don’t think you can argue that reality. That only makes it better here in the long run for property values.

By Cadoodle

February 13, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

TAXATION WITHOUT SIMILAR REPRESENTATION or BENEFITS!

Case study 1: In a neighborhood with cookie cutter homes, why SHOULD one house (that was purchased in 1993) be taxed at $1500 a year, while another - which was just re-sold in 2006 - be taxed at $5700 a year? Both residents are getting the same benefits with their taxes!

Case study 2: If a couple sold their 4-bedroom home because it was too large now that their kids moved out - and bought a 2 bedroom home with less amenities - why should they have paid $1800 taxes on the first, larger home, and now $6000 on the smaller home - just because the prices for homes are higher now? It doesn’t pay to down-size, does it!

Case study 3: A long-term Florida “only” family sold a home, and prior to buying another one, lived in a rental for a year or so - just to be able to bide their time before buying another home. Well, now their “portability” is gone - and they would have to pay the same in property tax on a new home as though they just moved to the state.

I don’t think portability is the answer. I think that fair, equitable taxes ARE the answer - and that all homes in a community, with the same sqare footage, same lot size - should be taxed equally regardless of how much one paid for the home.

Are Florida homeowners going to have to bite the bullet? How many Florida Homesteaded homes are owned by secret snowbirds (like NY-ers) who have that STAR benefit on their other home up north?? i.e., secret dual-residencies???

By Realist

February 13, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

CW:

At least you make a logical argument. Let’s say you are correct and it is only the bottom 40% (socio/econ) which are leaving the area. Now you would agree these folks live in houses wouldn’t you. Now when they leave do you think someone in our income range 150,000 to 200,000 is going to buy one of their homes? No we are not. Will our children live in these areas? No they will not. The price of their homes will go down. This causes a domino effect. Also what who do you think are living in all those MCMansions in Wellington, families who have overextended themselves with adjustable rate mortgages don’t you think they will be looking for the exit door soon when they reset. Furthermore, these are FAMLIES which are leaving I don’t have to explain the economic impact on an area when families leave do I (think school clothes purchasing food etc). One last thing don’t you rent out to this class? Don’t you think this will hurt you in the wallet? Now I am not under any illusion I think this hits across all socio economic class but I just wanted to let you see how your theory plays out.

By chow ping

February 13, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

prices go up this season in florida

every year same is normal

but also no crash

people crazy, read usa today think crash in south florida

chow ping read usa today no expect crash in taiwan, why florida?

confuscius say: all real estate local

more important, chow ping need new car

chow ping do cost/benefit projection, find out is cheaper to have guy pay for car

who buy chow ping car? you buy chow ping car, chow ping play with your stickshift

By To Business owner

February 13, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

Business owner, the point of the article is that people are moving out not moving in. That is why the net is 150-200 families a week are gone.

By easyasabc

February 13, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

I think chow ping gal has too much “msg” in her chop suey if she thinks I am Max. Maybe she sniffs too much of that dry cleaning solution…makes her dillusional at times?

We do both think the same on Mike Fink’s money availabilty.

Is chow ping like “Mi So Horny’ in “Full Metal Jacket” ???? Willing to negotiate? I sure hope you are no Mike Fink type in drag!

“Realist” is fooling themselves….never a positive thing from him/her. Needs to move and share a trailer with Carolina Gal.

China Doll… open up a cookie and tell me winning lottery numbers. You make me laugh, maybe I will see you at a Palm Beach party some night. Put a flower on your right side of your hair when at the party.

I have to go now……always making money……

One last question…..why is only Carolina people wanting Floridians to move there? Is it because they are stuck in misery and need people to buy their misery????? If it is so good, and I lived there….I sure would not want any of you people there! I would keep my mouth shut and tell no one….. I just know from other people that once you move to the Carolina’s….you will regret it until you leave there.

Life is good in Palm Beach

easyasabc

By ncsux

February 13, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

Isn’t it funny how you don’t see people on this blog from other seabord states like Virginia, Georgia, or even South Carolina, begging to have people move into their state?

Could it be that in states that have towns like Virginia Beach, Charleston, Savannah or Atlanta, there is actually a REASON to go there?

What are you going to see in North Carolina? Cape Fear? Maybe you can tour the 3-story office buildings in Triangle Park, which seems to be everyone’s excuse for North Carolina existing.

People from those states don’t have to whine and cajole to get others to come buy and bail them out — or share their misery.

And Florida, the number 1 tourist destination in the world, speaks for itself.

By J-Stewart

February 13, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this

I have an idea. If this were the Jim Rome show, who would win the 2007 Smack-Off, Real Deal Style, between the following?

In no particular order:

AP

FL Renaissance

Easyasabc

CW1900

Crazydem

RCA

Mike Fink

Maxmoose03

Signed

Realist

Rich R

I’ll even throw in 4 of the new. Not long in posting, but somewhat regular now, or should it be only for the ones who have been posting for a long time?

Chow Ping

NCSux

To Realist (get a real name)

Carolina Gal

and maybe a few others I have left out not intentional, if anybody would care to add.

I propose a 2007 Real Deal Smack-Off on this blog. Instead of phone call, it will be via post. It would be on a set day and your first post is it. Anybody think this is a good idea? Those not on the list that think they should be included, I would post under a constant name to get noticed more often. Does anybody think this is a good idea?

For those of you who do not know what a Smack-Off is, you can easily look it up.

J-Stewart (actually one of you, but you’ll never know)

By RCA, B******!

February 13, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this

IT LOOKS LIKE THE FLORIDA HOMEOWNER IS GETTING THE SMACK DOWN.

LOSERS!!!

‘Offering one three-minute horror story after another, a parade of angry taxpayers told legislators Monday that Florida’s property tax system has become unbalanced and is hammering snowbirds, renters, businesses, small investors and families hoping to move within the state. Dozens of the speakers also blasted the Palm Beach County commission and local governments for using soaring property values to boost their budgets far beyond the levels of inflation and population growth.’

‘Most who addressed a panel of state legislators on the House and Senate finance and tax committees were snowbirds or commercial and rental property owners. ‘I came here to vent,’ MacNeil said. ‘I’m trying to keep my language civil, but I’m getting screwed. I apologize for the language, but it’s absolutely brutal, what’s going on here. It’s just impossible to stay here.’

‘The present system is destroying the American dream of home ownership. Families are being broken up because the children can’t afford to live in Florida,’ said Lou Medina, a Pembroke Pines retiree. ‘I will have to watch my grandkids leave Florida as they grow and seek housing.’

‘Emotions were high and the rhetoric was often sharp. ‘What you’re seeing here tonight is a South Florida version of the Boston Tea Party,’ said Harvey Silver, a Canadian with a vacation residence in Hollywood.’

By RCA

February 13, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this

oh, lets end SOH and everyone with a 400,000 home pay the tax rate of a 400,000 home. 1% will cost everyone 4,000 a year and the people will be happy. NO, the SOH people will cry a river.

florida, what a loser state.

By QUOTE OF THE CENTURY

February 13, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this

“South Florida is working off of a totally new economic model than any of us have ever experienced in the past.”

QUOTE OF THE CENTURY!

By to RCA

February 13, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

What a loser state?

That’s all you’ve got?

We’ve brought you up. We gave you a home. We let you have friends here.

Where did Easy and I go wrong? Wipe the pudding off your chin right now young man!!

By Carolina Gal

February 13, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

RCa,

I like boyz who have pudding on their chins.

Wanna come up to North Carolina and I’ll make you some. You’ll be more at home here, my big RCA man.

By chow ping

February 13, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this

carolina girl make RCA antenna pop up

little little antenna hee hee

chow ping write special haiku poem for people thought no need place in florida

snow fall all around airplane sit on ground stupid, stupid, stupid

By The Flaming Lips

February 13, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

I know a girl who thinks of ghosts

Shell make ya breakfast

Shell make ya toast

She dont use butter

She dont use cheese

She dont use jelly

Or any of these

She uses vaseline

Vaseline

I know a guy who goes to shows

When hes at home and he blows his nose

He dont use tissues or his sleeve

He dont use napkins or any of these

He uses magazines

Magazines

I know a girl who reminds me of cher

Shes always changing

The color of her hair

She dont use nothing

That ya buy at the store

She likes her hair to be real orange

She uses tangerines

Tangerines

By Brutal

February 13, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this

The comments in this blog are almost unreadable. A couple of elitists chatting back and forth to each other about the hoi poloi and a whacked out Asian. I think your attitudes about what is happening in the state will come back to bite you in the a*s in a year or two after this all plays out. Be careful what you wish for…unless of course you have the trust fund fully funded and are just hanging around waiting for the ‘better class’ to realize how good life is in Florida and move in. Dream on.

By chow ping

February 13, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this

who is whack out asian? you call chow ping whack out? you call chow ping whack out chow ping no whack monkey for you. you want chow ping whack monkey? chow ping no whack

stupid

you buy chow ping car. chow ping need car, go chow-ping at mall

you stupid, no make money

you buy chow ping car, we talk whack monkey

stupid stupid stupid

By Blue Moon

February 13, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this

The problem is out of control government spending. A Law needs to be passed that local and state government can’t spend more than the rate of inflation. Quit gouging the property owners, who then have to pass on the increased taxation onto buyers of goods and services, and tenants. We all have to pay for the increased taxes through stuff we buy, even if you have homestead exemption. We have an excessive government spending problem. Cut the tax rate and make governments learn to live with a smaller budget like the rest of the population has to.

By Brutal

February 14, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this

Right. Sorry Ping Chow, what kind of car do you want me to buy you with my whack money?

By SirPercy

February 14, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this

If the majority of the “bloggers” on this board spent half as much time organizing and mobilizing others to be active on this issue, to MAKE SOME NOISE - as they do attacking one another, the next meeting might see not 300, but 3,000 people! enough for even the myopic media to take note. With all the noise here very few seem to consider: Just what are they doing with all the taxes they are gouging us for?

As much as I’m happy to have my taxes controlled, I now CAN’T SELL because no one can afford to move and lose their protected tax rate. How stupid is this?!

We have a crisis here in Florida, but name-calling and knee-jerk solutions won’t solve it.

By Blue Moon

February 14, 2007 12:36 AM | Link to this

Rising property values didn’t have to result in an explosion in property taxes; it only happened because local governments adopted tax rates that didn’t go down as much as taxable values went up.

Property taxes are determined by multiplying the tax rate — set by local governments — by the taxable value of a property. For homesteaders, annual increases in the taxable value are capped; for non-homesteaders they rise with the market. Elected officials brag about tax rate reductions. And for people protected by Save Our Homes, it often is a break.

But all the hype ignores the fact that, for nearly half the state’s property owners, taxes have doubled or tripled in just a few years. If we live in a Country where we are govern by the people, for the people, then why are the people we elect gouging us?

I would rather just pay some tax, and go on with my life, and not bother with it all. It is easy to just complain, but that will not solve this crisis. Talking about it, will help formulate some ideas, unite us with some common causes, and maybe ignite some passion into doing something about it.

By Brutal

February 14, 2007 1:01 AM | Link to this

OK, I’ll give you my version of the solution to the tax problem.

-1% property tax for ALL taxable real estate, -Double the homestead to 50k, -raise the consumption tax (sales tax - a more equitalble tax - if you don’t spend ya don’t pay + hits tourists) proportionally to make up for the equivlent loss in todays dollars to the local govts, and CAP govd spending increases to the yearly CPI.

A lot of this solution is based on the realities of politics in FL.

By Average Guy

February 14, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this

Where can the average guy with an average job afford a home in Palm Beach County?

Did you hear the stats of 90% of the people in Palm Beach can’t afford to own a single family home?

By Realist

February 14, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

Average Guy:

Keep your powder dry and save your money. I would say this time next year (or earlier) you will have your choice of homes at much better prices. As 1 trillion in adjustable reset this year and as the lending industry is currently tightening credit the market will start to really fall. The 10 percent decline we have seen so far occurred before these other issues came into play, so we have seen nothing yet. Furthermore, this gives you time to save money for the down payment.

By TANC

February 14, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

I’m right with you Bluemoon. Government is the problem … throw the bums out. I never met a county commissioner (and I know a few) who that didn’t find a way to spend more money they easily obtain by hiding the tax increase in a millage rate cut.

I say the solution to the problem is to force county governments to operate with less money. Assess all property every 5 years and charge a 1% tax rate to all. When a home sells the new owner assumes the existing tax rate until the next assessment time comes up. This way taxable values stay relatively stable and it makes planning easier. County governments than will have the incentive to operate much more efficiently yet at the same time make sure they do things to keep home values stable.

I’m no genius on this stuff but let’s keep it simple and fair, and make government operate with less of OUR MONEY…

And, to Average Guy…the obvious answer to your question is that there isn’t anywhere that the average guy with an average job can afford a home in PBC.

By crazydem

February 14, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Cut the taxes, drain Frankel’s Moo Moo fund already an end the pontification. The politicos love to see the commoners arguing amongst themselves about new “equitable” tax schemes. It is what is it. They need to give us some of that cash back, plain and simple.

Like the smack down idea-I’d have to vote for Easy. Not that I always agree with them, but his consistently witty posts would win.

Now, RCA…Get back to shorting sub-prime bonds, you sideliner. I asked before, I’ll ask again: Show us your brokerage statement.

Fink-Have you not learned anything? Everybody has been trying to explain to you how you are losing money by sitting on the sidelines. You whine about the government being the problem in one sentence then scream that the government needs to do something to fix the problem. All the while prices rise (however slightly) which only means a higher tax bill if/when you decide to buy. I thought you IT guys were smarter than that.

BTW-I think Rich R is Chow Ping…Same Bush-style one-liner way of speaking.

By cw1900

February 14, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

To throw the Jim Rome post a bone…Ok, here’s my Huge Call of the Day….

The northeast getting pounded by a blizzard this morning. Think of all those frozen, disgusted people singing How I Wish…How I wish I was there…We’re just two lost souls freezing in a high tax state, year after year….

Blue Moon, good posts.

Realist, to answer your question, Yes I rent to who we are discussing. I’m not worried about it. Hate easyasabc if you will, but he is correct in the fact, that what many are predicting as the end of world coming most likely will not happen. Easy uses the analogy of what happened in California as here. They predicted the end of the working class out there, but the working class managed to stay. None of the worst ever predicted ever comes true. When I was a kid, remember all the talk in the early 70s and those horibble movies we used to watch in first grade in those little chairs and the teacher would make us watch movies on the garbage problem, the population explosion??? They told us we would be living twenty families deep in tenement housing in 1999 and garbage would be piled as high as the Empire State Building in every little hamlet across the US. As usual, my little teacher was full of crap and bought into a doom and gloom philosophy. I remember back when I was applying for colleges back in the early 80s, the news was always saying in 20 years college is going to cost $200k for a 4 yr degree and it’s too expensive and buy the time your kids go to college it will be out of reach, etc.. Bullshevik!. Last time I checked, UF and FSU were about $11,000 tuition, fees, room and board for a year. Not even close to the doom and gloom. It’s all crap. It never happens. The doomers here are gold bugs who hope and pray for doom. They wait and they wait and wait while the rest of us live our lives and keep investing. Turn off the news. You’ll live longer.

I will steal a paragraph from easy.

He said, “And with the issue about how police/fire/nurses/teachers won’t be able to afford here…..just look at California, higher prices across the board, and they still have all those services that some of you people complain that will disappear here. So that argument is no longer valid.”

Same thing will happen here. No big deal. It will take time to work itself out, but it will.

Realist, about SOH….Easy , don’t shoot me. I have to say RCA not being a right mind does have one valid point. The more and more I hear, I like the idea of the 1% tax rate for all that RCA babbled about back a few posts. He’s right. It won’t pass, but it is simple and would solve the problem very easily. Fink, you and I discussed this once, too. Mike, do you still like the 1% rate for everyone if SOH was removed? It does make alot of sense. That’s the problem. Sometimes, the easy ways are the best, but because it is simple, people will think it is bad. What is bad about 1% tax rate for all? Please, somebody explain that to this idiot, me.

now back to the huge call….

Ncsux, man, you love to talk about NC. What is it about that state? Did something bad happen to you there? I’m burying the hatchet with you. You’re here, you probably have something good to say. Let’s hear it…..except about throwing me off a bridge or something.

Flaming Lips!? Blowing his nose on magazines…..way too many mushrooms at 1034pm on a weeknight.

hoi poloi….Hoi polloi (Greek: ?? ??????), an expression meaning “the many” in both Ancient Greek and Modern Greek, is used in English to denote “the masses” or “the people”, usually in a derogatory sense. For example, “I’ve secured a private box for the play so we don’t have to watch the show with the hoi polloi.” According to Thesaurus.com, synonyms for “hoi polloi” include “…commoners, great unwashed, multitude, plebians, proletariat, rabble, rank and file, riffraff, the common people, the herd, the many, the masses, the working class”. Well, I guess I have used the term “unwashed” before. Lighten up Brutal. As chow ping says, It’s only a blog., and Brutal, I would never consider myself an elitist. Not even close. I just play with the money I have better than some people is all. Instead of car payments, I bought more houses. Instead of running up a credit card bill at Walmart on junk I can never off, I buy unique properties that fall under the heading location location location and then become valuable valuable valuable. It blows you away how much you have if you stop making all those payments to banks and car dealerships. It’s really easy and anyone can do it if you stop spending all your money on junk and overpriced cheap steaks at CityPlace. I do talk about the wannabe elitists with the leased beemers and the overextended helocs they thought they needed to go on that “much deserved” vacation. You’ll never have anyone call you an elitist when you continue to lease cars. They just call you a fool. Brutal, if you don’t like the way things are, cut up your and your wife’s credit cards and start putting money away. It’s easy and it’s more fun. Brutal, you’re probably a great guy. Just do it. You’ll thank me later. You’re also another 1% supporter. Your post on it was the way I am certainly leaning. Tanc is a 1% supporter also. There’s the common ground and I like it.

Average guy, as usual, chimes in with nothing to say. Average guy, to you, read above paragraph and do it.

Oh, It’s Valentines Day… To all of you, my lovey dovey’s, here’s a little diddy about Jack and Dia..Oh I digress, Who loves ya baby.. The guy who wants me to fall off a bridge, why won’t you be mine?

That’s my take.

Out.

cw

By Bernanke

February 14, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Fed chairman optimistic about economy

Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress Wednesday (2/14/07) the economy should grow modestly this year despite lingering pain from a housing slump and he stuck to the Fed’s forecast that inflation will continue to ebb.

“Overall, the U.S. economy seems likely to expand at a moderate pace this year and next, with growth strengthening somewhat as the drag from housing diminishes,” the Fed chief told the Senate Banking Committee.

On the other hand, there is the risk that a deeper than expected residential real-estate bust could yet unfold, which could hurt overall economic growth, the Fed chairman said. If that were to happen, Bernanke added, the Fed in theory might be inclined to lower rates to help bolster the economy.

Very soft landing. The story is winding down. Get your ducks in order before it’s too late.

My predicted Smack off top 5 results would be

1. Easy
2. CW
3. Crazydem
4. FL Renaissance
5. Signed

Easy or CW could both easily win. Too close to call, but I’ll go with Easy due to longevity, the only reason. Crazydem and Fl Ren could come in big, it’s in their blood, but hard to tell. Signed is always the dark horse. Max the Moose would have been in the mix, but he’s off to Burma to ponder life. Maybe next time.

Ben

By PBC Resident

February 14, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

This is NOT ABOUT CUTTING TAXES. This is about FAIR TAXES.

There are many properties which had taxes of $1000 in the year 2000 which now have taxes of $5000. Federal inflation numbers show that $1000 in the year 2000 would be equal to $1200 today. Meaning that if the government could provide services for $1000 then, it should be able to provide the exact services today for $1200.

The answer is to roll taxes back to what they should be, inflation adjusted. Going forward all new tax hikes will be capped at the rate of inflation.

Save our homes worked while real estate rose at its traditional bias. Speculation has made its formual obsolete. Scrap it.

When the homestead exemption act was made law the exemption was equal to half of the states median home price. In todays market, we should have a homestead exemption of about $100,000 statewide.

Further, it should be noted that not only has property tax risen out of whack, but so too have other taxes and fees. In Palm Beach county impact fees have soared over 250% the last five years. This has been been a tremendous revenue gain when considering that new construction also soared during this time. And then we have the increase in our local sales tax…..

No, this is not about cutting taxes. This about holding our tax authorities accountable for fraud. They must be audited. They must revert taxes back to the mean of just a few years ago, adjusted for inflation of course.

By Signed

February 14, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

“I never got picked for kickball, they only wanted me for dodgeball and the ball always bent my glasses and now I can’t even get picked for a blog smack off. It’s not fair. I’m the serious one and I’m the one who gives the facts and figures and wait a minute, the button on this calculator is stuck again and oh man, nothing is going right for me today. how come I can’t be picked with the cool guys. by the way did you get a letter from my mother about the ten percent off coupon for the next 5 sessions? It happens to be the same amount off as my birthday times pi 3.14, isn’t that fascinating? figuring like that helps me to unwind and forget that my rent is past due…..”

Signed,

Mike Fink at his weekly therapy session discussing his recent reads on the blog with RCA waiting in the waiting room licking his finger after each page turn thumbing through an old 2003 issue of US News and World Report reporting on the effects of global warming on the sorghum crop in Idaho mumbling under his breath about the black helicopters outside and the security cameras in the lobby looking at him…..

By Signed

February 14, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

“If every one of you would stop complaining about how much taxes you pay and started to worry more about working harder, then you would forget this nonsense and then you could pay whatever the heII we tell you to pay. Never forget, we are the powerful and you are the peasants.

Let me tell you a little story.

You lowly serfs, it is absolutely true in this county that business owners are afraid to speak out. I have it known that some plebian set out a petition a year ago to see if the people in the neighborhood could get something moved that one of our friends had blocking something. The pleabian left the petition at a local business and it only took TWO days for the business owner to be approached by “someone” accusing her of being a troublemaker, what did she think she was trying to do, etc etc etc, and as a business owner she should really not rock the boat. Needless to say the petition disappeared, nothing ever brought before our almighty Commission or the city or anything else. Of course, the business owner would not reveal the name of the person who approached her, because that’s the way it’s done in this county…”

Signed,

Your elected officials (the ones who matter)

By Blue Moon

February 14, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

By Signed is right. Our Elected officials who make the rules concerning how much property tax to levy on us, do not live in the same income bracket as the people they are taxing. They do not relate to the ordinary person, who lives and makes a living in the county they are in. They take the windfall of money coming in (from excessive taxation) and spend it however they see fit. So what if there is waste or fraud, so what, as long as we the people don’t see it. And they will continue to bleed us until, they are stopped.

By Blue Moon

February 14, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

Tax Revolt If Property Taxes were not so out of whack with the rest of the economy, we would not have a problem. If Property Taxes were reasonable, it would be OK. But taxes have risen from 30% to 85% or more in one year. Our Property has increased in value, great, but the milage rate we are taxed at, has not gone down by much, or not at all, all over Florida. When taxes increase by thousands of $$ in a single year, and the costs of this has to be passed on to all who rent or buy something from a retail store, it is a big problem. Our elected Government officials set the taxable milage rate, and are then not held accountable for what they spend.

When the local government is questioned about where the money is going, they are evasive. Talk about reducing taxes, and they scare us with saying the education system, and teachers pay will be cut. Because that is what we can see, so they put that in front of us, to make us feel bad. But there is plenty of money collected to pay teachers, police, sheriffs what they need and deserve, if the other unnecessary programs and the waste is cut or eliminated.

Our elected local governments can operate and fund the things we need with the same amount of money they collected last year, or the year before, or whatever what they got from several years ago. Increased Property values, then increase Property Taxes collected lately, at double or triple the amount they collected from last year, is crippling everything. You send it, they will spend it. The Governments have to justify the increased windfall of taxes collected, so they are busy spending it on whatever they can. All the new programs they have started this year, will be crying for even more money next year, so look forward to even more tax increases next Nov.

By Blue Moon

February 14, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

Stop the insanity. Make the Property Tax reasonable, so everybody can afford to pay it. Use the tax money to fund only absolutely necessary things, we need to run our towns and cities. We have a GOVERNMENT SPENDING PROBLEM. This in not about who is not paying what, we are all being robbed, with out of control Taxation. Your ELECTED Officials made the decision to Tax us as high as they can, to the point that this is now a VERY BIG problem.

When your local Gas station, Restaurant, Hair Salon, Carpet Store, Wal Mart, and other places of business, have to pass the incredibly high taxes on, in the form of higher prices that we all pay, when we buy something, this is a problem. When the Landlord has to pass the increase taxes onto the tenant in the form of $50 to $300 a month to cover the higher taxes, this is a problem. I don’t know of anybody who got a big raise from their job, enough to cover the extra money that now has to be spent on increase rent or groceries we buy.

Some people in this blog, have some great ideas. The simple one of 1% property tax is great. We have to make some NOISE, get organized and do something about this problem, or it will continue to be out of control spending by our own governments. I can spend my own money wiser, and better than any Government Official. When I give it to the local governments and they just take, take, take, more and more every year to the point of bleeding, with no restraint or control, and I have less and less to feed my family with, I have a problem with it. This same issue is affecting millions of people in our Beautiful State.

Stand up with your neighbor and talk about this. Unite and make a difference. “For the People, by the People” only works if enough people do something about it.

When the County and City Commisioners (the same ones who decided the tax millage rate) come up for RE-ELECTION, make sure you go out and NOT vote for them. Let them know that you are not happy, kick them out of office. Elect someone else. If these people know their JOB is on the line when it comes to levying taxes on “the People”, and their property, they will not be so quick to bleed us dry.

Get smart, and take action, and keep up with the ideas on what to do with this problem.

I love this State, Happy Valentines to all….

By FL Renaissance

February 15, 2007 6:58 PM | Link to this

Thank you to those suggesting that I participate in the RE smackdown event, but I must decline. I sincerely appreciate being tagged as a worthy participant… but I’m just too busy practicing what I preach! I own multiple investment properties within as close as a 100 mile radius to as far as 6000 mile radius to PBC. That’s as close as Martin and St. Lucie counties in-state; up North to NYC (Manhattan); out West to the SF Bay Area, and much further West to the Pacific Rim on the Hawaiian islands. To impart some knowledge to those far less traveled, Real Estate is always a LOCAL endeavor, one size does NOT fit all. As South Florida finally upgrades by attracting a better class of Northern migrants and sophistacated Europeans and Canadians(more educated/affluent professionals replacing the old leisure suit wearing fixed income Century Village types AND by shedding of long-time locals whose days of low cost Florida living are now over and whose priority it now is to seek lower cost living in Mayberry RFD USA or wherever…please be advised that if you cannot afford to uncover a prime buying opportunity in this woe-is-me scare-di-cat market forgetabboutit, it will be no better later! For those who can afford to buy here and accept the summer’s humidity and storms and the insurance scams, buy now or forever hold your aspirations. For what you believe is an outrageous price will seem very cheap to you within 20 months or so. I personally only buy recognizable international destinations and this is one of the most affordable I’ve come across. But then, not everyone travels first class do they?