Crist says scare tactics used to defeat referendum

Gov. Charlie Crist suggested voters fire local officials for engaging in scare tactics to defeat a property tax referendum in January.

Speaking at the annual Florida Association of Realtors Convention in Orlando, Crist said the proposed super homestead exemption that would cut taxes by $15-billion is opposed by local officials who falsely claim that it will lead to layoffs of firefighters and police officers.

"Unelect them," Crist told a group of about a thousand Realtors. "They tried to use fear to influence you, your friends, and your family members."

Crist called the tax cut crucial to helping revive the housing industry. Voters will decide in a Jan. 29 referendum. Some mayors and other local officials are working against the plan, saying tax cuts will decimate local services.