By Kathleen C

June 21, 2007 5:09 AM | Link to this

Why is the state asking residents to decide on a matter that was cooked up in just three days of a ten day special session?. if voters reject the proposed changes the voter is saying these choices presented to us are not acceptable. The problem still exists but these solutions are not acceptable

The true culprit in the property tax dilemia is the CAMA the computer assisted mass apprasial methods employed by the county tax appraiser. what exactly is plugged into this computer model? how often is the data adjusted for declines and not just increases? Why are we not asking more questions about the Computer assisted mass apprasial

By Mike M

June 19, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

We have a second home in Florida a condo. Property taxes are killing us! they have tripled in the last 3 years. Florida is killing the golden goose. We, like many others, are considering selling our place in Florida for perhaps North Carolina or Arizona.

By Mike M

June 19, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

We have a second home in Florida a condo. Property taxes are killing us! they have tripled in the last 3 years. Florida is killing the golden goose. We, like many others, are considering selling our place in Florida for perhaps North Carolina or Arizona.

By Mike M

June 19, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

We have a second home in Florida a condo. Property taxes are killing us! they have tripled in the last 3 years. Florida is killing the golden goose. We, like many others, are considering selling our place in Florida for perhaps North Carolina or Arizona.

By Mike M

June 19, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

We have a second home in Florida a condo. Property taxes are killing us! they have tripled in the last 3 years. Florida is killing the golden goose. We, like many others, are considering selling our place in Florida for perhaps North Carolina or Arizona.

By Mike M

June 19, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

We have a second home in Florida a condo. Property taxes are killing us! they have tripled in the last 3 years. Florida is killing the golden goose. We, like many others, are considering selling our place in Florida for perhaps North Carolina or Arizona.

By Mike M

June 19, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

We have a second home in Florida a condo. Property taxes are killing us! they have tripled in the last 3 years. Florida is killing the golden goose. We, like many others, are considering selling our place in Florida for perhaps North Carolina or Arizona.

By Mike M

June 19, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this

We have a second home in Florida a condo. Property taxes are killing us! they have tripled in the last 3 years. Florida is killing the golden goose. We, like many others, are considering selling our place in Florida for perhaps north Carolina or Arizona.

By Don Locascio

June 18, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this

** We need a tax revolt like California had some years ago. They must think we citizens are stupid to put up with this any longer. The state has had huge profits from “New ” taxes from the new mega building the last 10 years. The only fair thing to do is just lower the tax percentage on new property - to 1% -instead of the present 2%.Keep the 3% cap for everyone, including snowbirds and business owners. This will spike new sales and stop the m oving to lower tax areas like the Carolina’s and Tenn.

By Alan

June 12, 2007 7:04 AM | Link to this

Many homeowners will still be hit with RE tax increase if they move (even to a smaller property).

To liven up the economy and keep people from moving out of state, we must have portability of taxes too (even if it is a one time thing). Otherwise many people who want to move within the community cannot and will be stuck in their residemce or will continue the trend in moving out of Florida.

By Dump Lori

June 11, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

The Palm Beach Post is doing everything in it’s power to sabotage any meaningful property tax relief for homeowners including mocking any state legislators who support homeowners. On the other hand, the Palm Beach Post praises legislators who oppose tax cuts and continues to use scare tactics about cuts in police and fire personnel. The Palm Beach Post,The Sun-Sentinel and Miami Herald also campaigned heavily against a sales tax increase. Homeowners should know that this newspaper is definately NOT on your side!

By michael

June 11, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this

The Save our Homes is becoming a bigger disaster by the day. If we really want to give a break then exempt the first $500,000 entirely and let’s get done with it. let people gamble away in voluntary taxes what they do not want to spend in other taxes.

Homesteaders do not understand perhaps that snowbirds and others are shouldering a significant piece of “their ” services. Without them who else is going to pay for these beloved services. Let us MOVE rather than getting deeper in the hole.

By Ann Ruby

June 11, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

I believe that taxes are only part of the issue. The other is homeowner insurance. If our government does not do something to manage these skyrocketing expenses, current residents will leave and new residents will pick states like TN, AZ, KY as their next homes and in the end FL will suffer.

By Ann Ruby

June 11, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

I believe that taxes are only part of the issue. The other is homeowner insurance. If our government does not do something to manage these skyrocketing expenses, current residents will leave and new residents will pick states like TN, AZ, KY as their next homes and in the end FL will suffer.

By Ann Ruby

June 11, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

I believe that taxes are only part of the issue. The other is homeowner insurance. If our government does not do something to manage these skyrocketing expenses, current residents will leave and new residents will pick states like TN, AZ, KY as their next homes and in the end FL will suffer.

By Terryl Delaney

June 11, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

I am absolutely astonished by Pruitt’s comment that he has always found Floridians to be, “Inherently fair.” REALLY! I find that they whine and complain when they want to upgrade or downgrade the size of their homes and find that they are going to have to pay 2 to 3 times the amount of taxes they previously paid on their homestead homes. Golly, why not? That’s what snowbirds and second home owners pay…and 70% of Floridians feel that’s just fine. If a Floridian has the money to move to a bigger or smaller home he certainly has the money to pay higher taxes. How does that logic sound when it comes back at you? Honestly, I find it incredible that 7 out of 10 citizens of Florida can’t discern the basic unfairness of the current system. If this problem isn’t fixed the overwhelming majority of snow birds and second home owners will take their money to other Southern states and leave Floridians to wonder why their economy tanked. Now, that sounds fair.

By Larry L'Heureux

June 11, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this

Last year “we” missed the new school entrant population by about 5,000; we over estimated. At roughly $5,000 per student cost, we should have saved $250 MILLION. May we have that back please? We were clearly OVERTAXED for children that did not show. Where is the money?

By batuceper

June 10, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this

I see there are many reasoned, logical and rational posts on property taxes.

However, I would like to point out that this is a totally emotional issue, and until the % of Floridians who are proud to be myopic parasites realize their short-sightedness fall below somewhere below 25%, this unfair situation will not change, and maybe get worse.

Selfishness wins, everytime!

By batuceper

June 10, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

Re: poll results

I find it hard to believe that the majority of Floridians are proud to call themselves parasites.

By batuceper

June 10, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

So the majority of Floridians think snowbirds, non-homesteaded owners and business owners should continue to pay a increasing proportion of property taxes, just because they “can” afford it. Well, it seems to me the majority of Floridians can’t see beyond their noses, no offense. What happens when half of the 40% non-homesteaded owners in PBC decide to sell and move out of state? Homesteaded owners will then go back to having “stone-age” services, and maybe deservedly so.

By Mike S.

June 10, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

OK, home prices more than trippled over the last 5 years, did the cost of goverment services tripple? No. This “Tax Reform has not hit a “snag” as suggested in this article, it is only the desire of the two writers. Taxes should increase in relation to inflation and not home prices - let’s drop them back where they belong. Michael

By Shane

June 10, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this

Jerry, here’s a simplified version of the scenario: ten homeowners live in the county. All ten homes are identical. The county budget of $10,000 should be split evenly at $1,000 tax per homeowner. But because five of those homeowners have been living here for 10 years, and the other five for 2, some pay $500 while others (in identical homes) pay $1500. Thus, YES the taxes should go up for those five homeowners paying $500. Of course, this return to equity will never be voted in. But you can’t be serious that you see no reason that taxes shouldn’t go up.

By Jim

June 10, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this

When we step back and think about cutting taxes there is only one conclusion: there will be a reduction in services. If you have children in school then certainly you do not want school funding cut (As we in Florida say “Thank goodness for Miss. for we would be dead last). If you commute any reasonable distance to work you do not want highway funding cut. If you live in a crime prone area you do not want the number nor quality of police protection cut. Has anyone noticed the “gang crime task force”. If you witness the desperate need for health care for the indigent and elderly, then you know there is no thing to cut. If you care about your chlidren or grandchildren having access to a decent modern library you do not want cuts in this precious resource. If you are into the arts for yourself, your children or your social group you cannot understand why anyone would want to reduce such a great quality of life function. If you respect the services provided by the EMT staff when you call 911 and need Trauma Hawk, then you will not be willing to suffer a reduction in this invaluable service. We are not talking about “belt tightening”. We passed that many years back! We WILL suffer from reduced services. We do not need the state legislature telling us how to manage what our locally elected officals are doing. If Tallahase wants to manage everything then why not do away with all local elected officies? They send unfunded mandates to our schools, police protection services, hospitals and emergency staffs on way too frequent basis and there is no stopping this burden on us. We enjoy the benefits of how we manage our resources and Tallahasse should mind the state’s business.

By Tom

June 10, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this

Dpn’t forget the “vote” of the out of state people. No registration required. They vote by not continuing to go to Florida (yes, there are other options). I think the economy could use this influx of money, and will miss it if it declines rapidly.

By blue4dogs

June 10, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this

I keep hearing people blame newspaper for the bad real estate market… Got news for you. First time I heard about the downturn was from Channel 12 - the following day it was in the Post… A couple of days later a coworker heard Today Show reporting about downturn in real estate market… Today Show is national TV not local - that just show’s you the problem is all over not just South Florida. Do you really think other newspapers & news shows aren’t saying the same thing? Try researching it online. Any news company that stops reporting what is going on will soon be out of business - whether it’s print, broadcasting, radio, online or any other business. I’ve seen stories by Channel 5 & 12 about bad real estate market, I’ve read about it in other newspapers. And this downturn has hurt everyone, not just home owners. How about the businesses laying off people because they don’t have enough work? Noticed your favorite restaurant isn’t quite as busy… or maybe not because you’re one of the people who can’t afford to eat out as much. Not reporting the news is not going to make it disappear. Face some honest truth. House prices are too high for the average person. Say you bought a $200,000 house that is now appraised for $400,000 - that doesn’t mean you’re going to get it. I read an article showing how family making $100k/yr should be able to buy $200K house. Do you really think the average worker has a $200K-$300k a year income to afford your house? And if they can afford it, when you add the taxes & insurance - oops there goes that dream. I have a neighbor who’s house pmt went up $1000 a month to cover their huge insurance hike - how many people do you know that could afford that extra cost?

By JTK

June 10, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this

re:JTK… Your son has you fooled buddy. The rental market went up not housing. Your kids going to spend 1k to rent pretty much anywhere. Most kids can make 500 bucks a week out of college. 25% is about right. Secondly you can buy for about 1300 a month these days. 179k buys some really nice little CBS constructed houses east near the water. You just have to shop around. PS They are in safe areas and are well built houses too.

O.K Charles…We’ll go off your figures…If a kid out of school earns $500 a week (they don’t) you can bet thats GROSS…Back out the taxes and they’re lucky to walk away $400 a week clear…That adds up to a whopping $1600 a month TOTAL to live on…

Take your hypothetical $1300 mtg payment and what does he have left??? A whopping $300 a month for car,gas,insurance,phone,food,electric,water, some clothes, etc…LIKE I SAID…THEY CAN’T BUY IN TODAYS MARKET AND YOU PROVED MY POINT!

Also, those houses for $179k…ummm…I think well pass!

By jerry

June 10, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

this is my proposal to the home tax situation: first of all, i would leave the save our homes alone. THE PEOPLE ARE THE ONES MOVING, NOT THE HOMES!!! since the homes are not the ones moving i see no reason for the taxes to go up, because the services
such as schools, water, libraries, etc, are already being charged to the homeowner. therefore if the taxes would remain under the save our homes rule (no more than 3%/yr increase) it would be easier for people to move from home to home (as long as that home is the primary residence). second, as far as the investment property and commercial property is concerned, i would implement the system that’s being done to homeowners. “if you have a second home or investment property or commercial property and you’re making money then you should pay your fair share of taxes”. if you’re a homeowner and you actually live in your home then you should not be penalized with the outrageous increses in property taxes. the way to make sure you live in your home is to check your name with an utility company, such as water or electric company. if your name actually appears on these companies that we can estimate that you live in that house. Also we could check with the IRS and see your actual home address. and finally, insurance. if you make the necessary improvements to your property to minimize the risk, then you should get a discount on your home insurance. just like you would in your car/vehicle. when all this happens then people would be able to buy and sell homes without fear and get the country’s economy moving again. thanks for reading. jerry

By Rose

June 10, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

Dan Hoffman, it is not always people who buy at the height of the market who are suffering. Please put this thinking out of your head…My beloved husband died last year. I went to live with my daughter following his death. My daughter suggested I rent the home while away - rather than leaving it empty for almost a year…She - and I - did not know the impact. Perhaps we should have. But we were so distraught…When I got my next tax bill, it went from $2000 to $5100. I am devastated. I lost my beloved husband, am so lonely and now I will lose my home. I am “the widow ” who was supposed to be protected from losing my home…

I do not know if this new plan will help - but I hope something will keep me from losing my home.

By Gossip

June 10, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

John Grossi get it through your thick scull that your post does not appear immediately. No one wants to read your comment four times!!!

By John Grossi

June 10, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

We snowbirds should stop looking for fairness from politicians to whom we are invisible, and to residents who, in the main, resent us while profiting from us. Our recourse to be treated ” equally under the law” is in the federal court. We must unite and procede with a legal challenge that will prevail.

By John Grossi

June 10, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

We snowbirds should stop looking for fairness from politicians to whom we are invisible, and to residents who, in the main, resent us while profiting from us. Our recourse to be treated ” equally under the law” is in the federal court. We must unite and procede with a legal challenge that will prevail.

By John Grossi

June 10, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

We snowbirds should stop looking for fairness from politicians to whom we are invisible, and to residents who, in the main, resent us while profiting from us. Our recourse to be treated ” equally under the law” is in the federal court. We must unite and procede with a legal challenge that will prevail.

By John Grossi

June 10, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

We snowbirds should stop looking for fairness from politicians to whom we are invisible, and to residents who, in the main, resent us while profiting from us. Our recourse to be treated ” equally under the law” is in the federal court. We must unite and procede with a legal challenge that will prevail.

By Joe

June 10, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

Typical PBB Communist and Socialist agenda. That is why they are a joke of a paper. No one cares to read them even when they stuff the distribution ponits.

Cut the taxes and then cut them some more. When the system does not work anylonger, add back just a tad of services. That is the only way you can wring out the gross mismanagement and entitlement mentality that has corrupted and permeated public services.

By T. Zajack

June 10, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this

I think Chareles is doing a good for the short time he is in office. For all you people that don’t think so, could it be the Senate and Congress who has been there to darn long. When you vote think about those that are in there for their self and get paid by you for not helping out the people of Florida. All of those guies in office more than six years should be voted out and put in some new blood. This will only happen if you get out and vote and if you don’t vote then you have nobody to blame but your self.

By steve

June 10, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this

This a bs. A typical slanted article by the post. that’s why i cancelled my subscription years ago. there is no way that anyone can be in favor of keeping the current system.

By Henry

June 10, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

I was born and raised in Florida. I have two small children. We were forced to move during the realestate boom, because of two new babies, and have a $7000 annual tax bill. My neighbors who have lived in the neightborhood for years pay nearly 1/3 of this. Yet, we receive the same citywide benefits. This is our primary and sole home. We must change the tax system, otherwise average families will be forced to move because of the excessive taxation.

By Concerned Floridian

June 10, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

What do you suppose will happen when the revenue stream created for the state of Florida by the second home owners (whether they are land lords or snow birds) dries up? Once it becomes cost prohibitive to invest in Florida, they will take their money elsewhere. This means that all of Florida will be impacted. My prediction is that the housing market is the first symptom. Once the snow birds and real estate investors pull out of this area, with their abundance of funding, the thoughts of some of the prior posts may change.

By david

June 10, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

Impeach the Govenor immediately

Lied about the insurance Lied about the property taxes

Why should he be in office

By david

June 10, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

Impeach the Govenor immediately

Lied about the insurance Lied about the property taxes

Why should he be in office

By david

June 10, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

Impeach the Govenor immediately

Lied about the insurance Lied about the property taxes

Why should he be in office

By AxTaxer

June 10, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

AX THE TAX SUPPORTS MORE TAX CUTS. URGES LEGISLATURE TO PROVIDE REAL TAX REFORM

The proposed tax cut proposal outlined by legislative leaders on Friday is “not enough” for Florida’s beleaguered taxpayers, according to the statewide citizens watchdog group, Ax the Tax.

“The ‘talk’ of tax reform is trying to replace actual tax reform in the modest tax cut proposal outlined by legislative leaders yesterday,” stated Ax the Tax Chairman Doug Guetzloe.

“Rolling back taxes to the 2006-2007 level represents no real cutbacks since the current year saw the most substantial property tax roll increases in Florida history.”

“Florida taxpayers are not going to realize the substantial savings initially promised by legislative leaders under the proposed plan. The more substantial savings become dependent upon a complicated and confusing plan that would have to be approved by 60% of Florida voters in January. Real tax reform should include a rollback to 2002 property tax levels; a cap on government spending that allows only a 3% per year increase and voter approved increases beyond the 3%. The proposal allowing a super majority vote does not provide accountability or incentive for elected officials to tighten their belts since many property tax increases are approved by unanimous votes of the municipalities and counties.”

Guetzloe also found fault with the lack of accountability for school board spending, with many Florida counties at a maximum millage collection level.

“With local spending having increased two-fold in five years, this plan is basically lip service to Florida taxpayers. Apparently the city, county and union lobbyists have won the war in Tallahassee - lobbying largely funded by tax dollars,” Guetzloe concluded.

Ax the Tax has issued a “Call to Action” for taxpayers to contact their legislators and tell them to vote for real tax reform and not accept the behind-closed-doors compromise.

Ax the Tax is a grassroots political committee founded in 1982 that has helped Florida taxpayers defeat over $25 billion in proposed taxes.

(www.AxTheTax.org)

By Bobby Mac

June 10, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this

Charles please give me addresses of houses that used to sell for over 300k now selling for 179k.

By John D.Grossi

June 10, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

We snowbirds should stop looking for fairness from residents who resent us while profiting from our tax mistreatement,and from politicians, to whom we are invisible.Instead we will obtain ” equal treatement under the law “, when we organize and bring our grievance to the federal court.

By John D.Grossi

June 10, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

We snowbirds should stop looking for fairness from residents who resent us while profiting from our tax mistreatement,and from politicians, to whom we are invisible.Instead we will obtain ” equal treatement under the law “, when we organize and bring our grievance to the federal court.

By charles

June 10, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

Finding a crappy 179k house is easy. The point is that there are some very good ones too, I know in the North end of Lake Worth there are quite a few cheaper houses that used to be over 300k. Yeah, saving up for the initial downpayment sucks, but it always has. It’s alot easier to buy a nice house under 200k than it was in the last 3-4 years. They are out there. Get off the couch (or keyboard) and look!

By what 179k buys

June 10, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

Charles, so true! Look at the high Florida living you get in this gem:

http://homes.realtor.com/search/listingdetail.aspx?ctid=391&ml=3&mnp=20&mxp=19&typ=1&sid=e913fdde758f4f94bf211b49540de8a9&pg=5&lid=1066107565&lsn=43&srcnt=43#Detail

Dont forget your kevlar!

By Dan Hoffman

June 10, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

1) To all you cry babies that don’t have Save Our Homes- too bad! Don’t call me selfish- I have lived full time in FL since 1990. We make less money here and have had to endure outrageous h-owners ins. increases. If you were stupid enough to buy a home knowing the high sale price would dictate your initial tax bill shame on you. To the well off 2nd h-owners/s-birds: I have zero sympathy for all of you. You whine the loudest while you can afford 2 homes. Sour grapes on all of you! AND, I will NOT vote to give up my SOH as long as SCHOOLS will NOT be forced to hold their outrageous spending habits. Also, Ken Pruitt is NOT to be trusted. He and his rich friends are NOT looking out for us middle class earners. Lastly, stop whining about losing services- It’s a lie and a ruse to make you believe the Cty. & towns can’t run with less money. Here in the Acreage we get NO SERVICES!!! Just garbage oickup and filthy dirt thrown on the dirt roads. Services? F88K ‘em. Let these slimy liars do with LESS. It’s NOT their money, it’s OURS!! Art Johnson & Cty. commisissioners take heed to this. DO NOT be fooled by the liars & thieves that run the State & local govts. They all are dishonest self-serving people with only their own agendas in mind. DO NOT give up your SOH. You’ll all be sorry!

By John Grossi

June 10, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

We snowbirds should stop looking for fairness from residents who resent us, while they also profit from us, and from politicans to whom we are invisible. Instead, we will prevail in obtaining the protection of ” equal justice under the law”, if we take our grievance to the federal court.

By John Grossi

June 10, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

We snowbirds should stop looking for fairness from residents who resent us, while they also profit from us, and from politicans to whom we are invisible. Instead, we will prevail in obtaining the protection of ” equal justice under the law”, if we take our grievance to the federal court.

By Charles

June 10, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

JTK… Your son has you fooled buddy. The rental market went up not housing. Your kids going to spend 1k to rent pretty much anywhere. Most kids can make 500 bucks a week out of college. 25% is about right. Secondly you can buy for about 1300 a month these days. 179k buys some really nice little CBS constructed houses east near the water. You just have to shop around. PS They are in safe areas and are well built houses too.

By You nailed it

June 10, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

JTK-

You are correct. The thing about this plan is it does no harm to current SOH, and actually gives homeowners like yourself an opportunity to move.

The thing is, if a half dozen competing plans emerge on the Jan ‘08 ballot, it will dilute the vote and nothing will get done. Legislators will be in no hurry after that to get anything done saying we had out chance. The only saving grace is those other plans will have to hustle over the summer to get funding and the signatures needed to get on the ballot. Im not sure it taking this long to hear to resolution is an accident….

By charles

June 10, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

The only good reports of polls show each question asked, in order of asking it -with all results- before the journalist shares their extrapalations. Be careful of polls that ask loaded questions.

By Leonard Axelrod

June 10, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

Why does the Post fail to realize it is part of the problem? Its reporting of plunging prices of homes and the homesteaders reluctance to share the savings in the inequitable real estate taxes has only led to home sales and values dropping to make our home worth 25% less than 2 years before. A third of the potential home buyers (2nd home owners) stay out of the market, our homes and our largest asset in most cases will be worthless. Wake up Post you are not just reporting but shaping the news.

By JTK

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

The current SOH people are being incredibly selfish!

You knuckleheads like the guy in Wellington obviously can’t see past your own front door…

What the he!! are our kids of today going to do for housing when they can’t afford to buy anything, in part because their own parents are too damn selfish to do anything to help!

The typical it’s all about me syndrome…

I have the SOH cap and I think it sucks…I can’t move…My fresh out of school son can’t afford to buy anything…My next door neighbors are in foreclosure due to their $16k tax bill…Most everyone I know would like to move, but can’t and those azzwipes in the poll think this is a good thing…

I would bet big money the ones in the poll are nearing retirement and only care about themselves…

What a bunch of selfish bastards!

By sam H

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

I hope people are smarter than this!!!! Do not fall for it. Under SOH at least some of Floridians have protection for future increaes. Government wants you to give it up so as real estate value goes up over the years so is their income. In several years Super home exemption will be equivalent to $25000 exemption today (a drop in the bucket). This will not fix Florida broken tax system. 1 year roll back!!!!! what in the world are they thinking? please do not vote for them,next time.

By tal outwits voters

June 10, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

well this deal puts the responsibility to get the significant savings directly to the voters. the rollback is a pittance and rightfully so, tally is saying if you want relief is on the voters shoulders to do so. put up or shut up, if all the carping about taxes doesnt result in 60%+ at the polls, the egg is on the face of the florida home and business owner. tally has artfully put the burden on us.

By Bobby Mac

June 10, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

Legislators might throw something at us they know will not pass our vote and blame us. Saying we had our chance.

We have to make sure that what they come up with helps all of us and will get 60% of our votes!!!

That means we have to put aside our own selfish needs for the greater good. That means old SOH, newer SOH, non-homesteaded and businesses.

I for one will want to see the 3% cpa for all classes of taxpayers!!!

By charles

June 10, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

The first step to getting pork-barrel spending under control, is to cut the fat. Otherwise, this debate will quickly turn to the decry of “firing police, firefighters, and teachers” from the opposition, which clearly is unpopular. Nevermind the demolition of a perfectly good library, moving the library to a new government building that they blew up to build another government building. I ought to film a new TV show called, EXTREME government building makeover. We could hire 1000 new cops if we could stop screwing with perfectly good on and off ramps to I-95 in Palm Beach County. Govt spends exactly what it takes in and not a penny less. Cut the spending BEFORE you cut the revenues!

By Disappointed with the polls

June 10, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

My dream of becoming a Florida snowbird and eventual resident is fading fast. I can afford the home prices, maintenance and insurance. On prinicple I refuse to pay an unfair share of taxes.

By Typical garbage from the media

June 10, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

Professor: If you do a search you’ll see that the media is owned by about 5 mega, FOR PROFIT corporations. They are no longer a safeguard for the public trust - they are in it for the money, therefore sensationalism and downright propaganda is the result - NOT real news you can use WHEN you need it.

Connect these dots: GE makes the bombs. GE owns NBC.

Gee, I wonder why NBC (for one) let the government lie us into another NEEDless war…

SPEAKING OF MILITARISM: YOU ARE PAYING WAAAAAAAAAAAAY more for militarism than you think - cut this budget and we don’t have to be taxed out of our homes.

By Manny Problems

June 10, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

Florida has so many problems. Property tax is just one of many. I was going to retire to South Florida until I researched the “real” lifestyle of paradise. It looks like more like the South Bronx than paradise. I was amazed at the number of children and non-speaking residents. Not a problem here in NY, but you can earn over minimum wage here and in Florida you can’t. Good luck to you all, I’m not coming!

By Professor

June 10, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Following on what ‘Typical garbage from the media’; I say AMEEN. You are absolutely right. The more I read our news papers and watch our television stations news, the more I am convinced they are biased to politicians and their sponsors. It is VERY SAD.

By Typical garbage from the media

June 10, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

THE SUNDAY BEFORE THE SPECIAL SESSION MEETS and Bennett and Poole use the space and ink to talk about POLL NUMBERS?

The Post could have used this weekend to HIGHLIGHT some of the great suggestions being posted HERE by WE THE PEOPLE and/or to better explain the current proposals from legislators and instead they choose to use the space to talk about POLL NUMBERS BEFORE the session even starts!

If you consider yourselves JOURNALISTS, you’ve been drinking too much koolaid.

By Old Mercedes-Benz salesman

June 10, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

I tell our Floridian politicians “DO NOT DO LIKE MERCEDES-BENZ.” In late 80’s and early 90’s, they refused to admit they had a competition (Lexus). Instead they developed the new “S” class with considerable higher price tag than its predecessors. As a result, demand on Benzes declined and the automaker suffered a loss of market share and a considerable number their loyal customers defected to other brands. Finally, the top management of the company woke up and for the first time in the history of the manufacture, they reduced the price tag of their luxury cars….but it was too late. Mercedes still did not recover its original market share and other competitors are still thriving.

You do the comparison!

By Jack Meioff

June 10, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

A ROLLBACK to 2006.. MY TAXES WENT UP 45% IN 2005! THANKS. NEXT TIME U DECIDE 2 ROLLBACK TAXES SEND VASOLINE INSTEAD.

By Greg

June 10, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

let me do the math…up 121% down 11% ..such a deal!!

By Me

June 10, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

What about future new homeowners? What is being done to help us? After factoring in taxes and insurance, those two total more than our rent! The downpayment we’ve worked hard to save up is still sitting in the bank.

By BB

June 10, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

SOH has no funding source. Relying on second home owners and businesses is not working obviously. If you want to keep SOH find a legitimate funding source. Renters, second homeowners, and businesses just aren’t going to cover this. Especially as more people decide not to buy in Florida for this reason.

By Joseph

June 10, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

I pay 7700 a year for a modest 2/1.5 right next to a apt with efficiencies. This is unexceptable - no one will buy a 700 per month tax payment so I can not sell the house - it is REDICULOUS. We have needed EMERGENCY help since January - they are dragging their feet and we are losing our homes - thanks SAVE OUR HOMES!

By Bill Ramos

June 10, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

The following is from http://billramos.com/abouttheissues.htm

Property Taxes

Reassess all properties based on what they actually are, not what they might be or what is called “highest and best use”.

Rollback that reassessed value to 2002 levels.

Increase the Homestead exemption to $50,000 for full time Florida residents.

Apply the 3% cap to any residential property as long as there is no change in owner.

Apply a 5% property tax cap to any business property owned by a Florida small business that is Florida based and Florida resident owned and operated after 2 years in the same location.

Apply that 5% cap to all other business properties in Florida after 5 years in the same location.

Allow residential portability within each county equal to the amount of the current exemption.

WHERE WILL ANY SHORTFALL COME FROM?

Restoration of the tax cuts and giveaways that have helped put our state in such a precarious position. Reinstate the Intangible tax - Almost 1 Billion in revenue given away to the wealthiest few. The final act of our former Governor was this “gift” to the wealthy who admittedly could afford it with no real impact to their net worth

Repeal the sales tax exemptions that certain industries receive - Almost another 1 Billion in revenue lost to benefit special interest.

Repeal and/ or reinstate all the other disproportionate tax cuts bestowed upon the wealthiest few individuals and corporations over the past decade - Special interest tax cuts have not worked and have taken billions away from Florida.

End all unfunded mandates from the state and federal governments.

Adopt a clear “Pay as you Go” budget policy.

Higher taxes force business owners to charge more or relocate and take the jobs they offer with them in order to survive.

Owners of multiple properties who can provide affordable rental housing are forced to charge higher rents that eventually lead to the disappearance of that affordable housing.

The “Middle Class” can no longer bear the weight of supporting our state and nation.

Replace anger and frustration with votes

By Bobby Mac

June 10, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

Make sure whatever plan they come up with includes a 3% cap for everyone including 4 or fewer units non-homesteaded residential property that can’t be overrriden by government bodies.

Do not give up the 3% cap. They are trying to sucker you into this!!!!

I don’t care if you are a newer SOH or and old time SOH.

You will be sorry in the long run ir you giv up the 3% cap.!!!

By PBC Resident

June 10, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

z

One flaw with the polling: Cell phones. Pollers can’t call cell phones. Most people with landlines are seniors who have lived in the same house for years.

This will also be a problem with the next election. Political campaigns will be using the phone to scare voters into thinking their property taxes will go up. There needs to be clear language that existing homesteaders will keep their current tax rate until they move.

As for the tax cuts. They need to cut them more then these proposals. Revenue was 1/3 five years ago. Cut taxes back to that and add on for inflation, then cap onginghikes to inflation. Cut all taxes, including school tax.

Smaller counties like Glades, have seen their taxes go up to. Figure the majority of property in Glades is vacant land. Five years ago that land was selling for less than $10k an acre. Now, it’s selling for more than $50k. Don’t let these smaller counties tell you they didn’t benefit from the real estate bubble.

And schools, police, fire….in Palm Beach county, our impact fees also increased 300% since year 2000. All of that money goes to build new schools, police departments and fire departments. They are not hurting. Existing ones can operate on the revenue they got five years ago. Maybe they won’t be able to have marble counters in biology class, or gold plated sinks in the police department. Oh well….

z

By J. Minardi

June 10, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

Not all snowbirds are wealthy. Some go down for health readons. We support the economy, including providing jobs, without using much of the services for which our taxes are used.

By Eric

June 10, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this

The poll shows that voters aren’t stupid. Most folks understand that the problem isn’t taxes, it’s the out of control government spending. The proposed tax cuts have no “hard” spending caps. We’re supposed to “trust” that a super majority vote won’t wipe out the tax cuts. I can’t imagine anyone voting away their rock solid 3% SOH tax cap, in return for “trust us” tax reductions. Nobody’s that dumb. Roll back the taxes to 2001 levels, add a cost of living and growth factor cap, that can’t be exceeded without elections, and THEN you’ll see voter support.

By William Allen

June 10, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

Fred Hotujec you have no idea how the Florida economy works! If the snowbirds stop coming then the business in this state have no income for the “tax breaks” he says business gets. The Real Estate Taxes should be cut 50% at least, when then have gone up 121%+/- since 2000!!!!!!!!

By Larry

June 10, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

As a likely “snowbird” down the road, I don’t think I’ll be buying anything in Florida. For tax purposes, I’ll either rent there as needed or buy in a state where real estate taxes are MUCH lower. Net for Florida is the real estate bust will just get worse …for many years to come.How can residents be so foolish as to not think beyond the ends of their noses……

By Sunbird

June 10, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

Finally, some people who understand that Snow/Sunbirds are not all wealthy folks with silver spoons. Some of us are teachers who are planning our own retirements in case there is not a pension at the end of the rainbow. We became investors out of necessity, so why are we penalized for having a proper plan to take care of ourselves. It makes me sick to hear that people always want to place a negative spin on the people who have a solid financial plan for the future. The SOH SOBs are always crying, while the investors are always paying. Get off your butts and do something about your situation, so you can stop cackling about how the Snow/Sunbirds should be hit twice as hard because they are the wealthy. No, we are the educated who have put our affairs in order. If we all decided not to pay our ‘fair share’, what would come of Florida? A great beach with high crime and poor schools is just a puddle of water for the ignorant…..

By Sunbird

June 10, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

Finally, some people who understand that Snow/Sunbirds are not all wealthy folks with silver spoons. Some of us are teachers who are planning our own retirements in case there is not a pension at the end of the rainbow. We became investors out of necessity, so why are we penalized for having a proper plan to take care of ourselves. It makes me sick to hear that people always want to place a negative spin on the people who have a solid financial plan for the future. The SOH SOBs are always crying, while the investors are always paying. Get off your butts and do something about your situation, so you can stop cackling about how the Snow/Sunbirds should be hit twice as hard because they are the wealthy. No, we are the educated who have put our affairs in order. If we all decided not to pay our ‘fair share’, what would come of Florida? A great beach with high crime and poor schools is just a puddle of water for the ignorant…..

By Sunbird

June 10, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

Finally, some people who understand that Snow/Sunbirds are not all wealthy folks with silver spoons. Some of us are teachers who are planning our own retirements in case there is not a pension at the end of the rainbow. We became investors out of necessity, so why are we penalized for having a proper plan to take care of ourselves. It makes me sick to hear that people always want to place a negative spin on the people who have a solid financial plan for the future. The SOH SOBs are always crying, while the investors are always paying. Get off your butts and do something about your situation, so you can stop cackling about how the Snow/Sunbirds should be hit twice as hard because they are the wealthy. No, we are the educated who have put our affairs in order. If we all decided not to pay our ‘fair share’, what would come of Florida? A great beach with high crime and poor schools is just a puddle of water for the ignorant…..

By Real Problem

June 10, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

The issue is:

WE ARE SPENDING TO MUCH TIME WORRING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE A VOTING INTEREST IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.Who in their right mind would give up the 3%cap. The real problem is” How do we take the tax credit with us when move?”

By Sunbird

June 10, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

Finally, some people who understand that Snow/Sunbirds are not all wealthy folks with silver spoons. Some of us are teachers who are planning our own retirements in case there is not a pension at the end of the rainbow. We became investors out of necessity, so why are we penalized for having a proper plan to take care of ourselves. It makes me sick to hear that people always want to place a negative spin on the people who have a solid financial plan for the future. The SOH SOBs are always crying, while the investors are always paying. Get off your butts and do something about your situation, so you can stop cackling about how the Snow/Sunbirds should be hit twice as hard because they are the wealthy. No, we are the educated who have put our affairs in order. If we all decided not to pay our ‘fair share’, what would come of Florida? A great beach with high crime and poor schools is just a puddle of water for the ignorant…..

By Real Problem

June 10, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

The issue is:

WE ARE SPENDING TO MUCH TIME WORRING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE A VOTING INTEREST IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.Who in their right mind would give up the 3%cap. The real problem is” How do we take the tax credit with us when move?”

By Dano

June 10, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

The entire proposal is full of pork. Where did all the revenue go from all the new home construction? Even if we keep assessed values at 2001 levels the local governments have had huge surplus revenue from shear volume. Dont penalize the homeowner, snowbird or investor just because they made wise decisions on purchasing homes in florida. A home is an investment to many people just like investing in the stock market. Taxing our homes at the current rates is anti american and so wrong.

By Professor

June 10, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this

What is new? Show me one politician that made a pre-election promise and kept it. A politician is worse than a used car salesperson.

VOTE THEM OUT!

By Professor

June 10, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this

What is new? Show me one politician that made a pre-election promise and kept it. A politician is worse than a used car salesperson.

VOTE THEM OUT!

By Leonard Axelrod

June 10, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this

If the system continues to have the second home owners and landlords pay an inequitable share of taxes so the local governments can spend like there is no tomorrow, we will see a decline in home values continuing for years to come. At least 30% of all home sales before they were taxed out of the market came from this group. Demand has stopped and prices of homes have decreased dramatically. If the average homeowner in this state wants to see his major investment (his home) trickle away to nothing, keep the present system and turn Florida into a potential slum.

By NoMorePropertyTax

June 10, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this

The poll was probably flawed because it sampled the opinion of “801 likely Florida voters”. Those so-called “likely voters” are usually long time SOH beneficiaries so naturally their opinions will be skewed against any change. What the pollsters apparently failed to realize is that people are so mad about the property tax situatuion that there will be a lot of “UNlikely voters” turning out at the polls.

By Earl

June 10, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this

Taxes should be based on services required not on the value of the house. An additional sales tax would be fairest. Tourist and crooks would pay 40% of the bill.

By Larr

June 10, 2007 8:18 AM | Link to this

Where are the real estate people on this issue.Homes are not selling.The ones that do people are moving out of this state.

By Bobby Mac

June 10, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this

Copy of my email to my legislators.

Dear Legislators:

In my opinion, the plan I read about yesterday in the newspaper will not be approved by the voters.

Please change the law and charge a fee for each student enrolled in our public school system. $1,000 for each student should reduce the school tax substantially. Max it at $2,000 per family and payable in 3 payments.

Additional comments: Allow the current SOH to be transferred to a new homestead. (They will eventually be extinct).

Keep the 3 percent cap on all properties (not based on increase in personal income and growth).

Only allow voters to override cap and any tax increase.

Give new homesteaded home buyers and current owners who elect to, the lesser of a $150,000 exemption or 75 percent of the appraised value of the home. (15 percent of $300,000 is gone)

Give non-homesteaders the lesser of a $75,000 exemption or 37.5 percent of the appraised value on their residential property.

Thank you for your time.

By lkw

June 10, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this

More LIES. I have rental property. I don’t get any “tax breaks” for my business. The county uses me as a property manager for free while I pay them all the rent and my tenants pay higher rents to cover higher insurance, taxes, utility bills, rental licenses, inspections, and maintenance. Renters rent so they don’t have to pay for these things - they are not free. The only solution is a tax break from the greedy county commissioners and city officials pocketing my money and using me as their slave while they sit fat on their behinds.

By R.U. MORONS?

June 10, 2007 7:20 AM | Link to this

We need immediate tax releif. What about the folks who’s jobs relocated them here? Why do we have to pay 10x the insurance of our fat, drunk neighboors? What about you if you want to move? Will you be crying then? Get this thing done. Stop being SOH anal retentive. You can still keep that if it gives you better releif so zip it NOW

By MG

June 10, 2007 7:12 AM | Link to this

Most business do not have a tax loop hole as Fred Hotujec said. I for one pay very high property taxes and do not get any tax breaks. The higher tax has to be past on to my customers. So many people may save on their homesteaded property but they will pay for it at the store, or for services.

The snow birds are not all well to do most are just retired folks. But hey if we want to drive out business and snow birds, keep taxing the hell out of them.

By bill

June 10, 2007 6:58 AM | Link to this

“What I’ve always found is that Floridians are just inherently fair,” Pruitt said. I hope he remembers that remark when the perminent florida voter’s that will, or will not put him back in office vote. They must know that their fannies are on the line if they screw us.

By Tom

June 10, 2007 4:25 AM | Link to this

“What I’ve always found is that Floridians are just inherently fair,” Pruitt said. “If they feel that it’s fair, I’ve always found voters to be extremely reasonable.”

Right up to the time until you ask them to pay their “fair” share of taxes