Amazingly, another tax cut proposal will be on the November ballot that could reduce property taxes up to 25% but increase sales taxes to offset the cuts.
Local government agencies better start tightening their belts now!
vj
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from the Ft. Meyer News-Press at:
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080317/NEWS0120/80317038/1075
March 17, 2008
Property tax cut proposal to be in voters’ hands
By Jim Ash
news-press.com Tallahassee bureau
TALLAHASSEE — Voters will decide in November whether they want to cut their property taxes by an average of 25 percent, and make up for the nearly $8 billion in lost government revenue with a penny sales tax increase and a combination of budget cuts and other state savings.
The powerful Taxation and Budget Reform Commission voted 21-4 this afternoon to approve the measure by former Senate President John McKay over the objections of critics ranging from retailers to the Florida Catholic Conference, speaking on behalf of the poor.
The vote was a personal victory for McKay, who was first rebuffed in the Legislature in 2003 and who has been pursuing it ever since.
"The only opponents of this proposal are the special interests," McKay said. "The voters of Florida are going to make this decision. It's imperative that we give them the opportunity."
A House committee room crowded with anti-tax activists and lobbyists erupted in cheers immediately after the vote.
McKay was successful by a comfortable margin. He needed 17 votes to pass.
The fate of the measure looked doubtful as late as a month ago, but McKay was able to work with a powerful critic and fellow commissioner, former Jeb Bush aide Pat Levesque.
Commission critics also seemed to be swayed by two forceful presentations by House Speaker Marco Rubio. The West Miami Republican is not a member of the commission, but he addressed the panel members twice before the vote.
Rubio took a backhanded slap at Gov. Charlie Crist, who successfully pushed a legislative compromise plan that voters approved in January, but one that didn't go nearly far enough, Rubio said.
He said the latest dire economic forecasts required bolder action that would put more money back in the pockets of property owners.
"There are direct consequences to what we do or fail to do," Rubio told commissioners. "Let me tell you, you're our last hope."