Democrats bemoan meatless tax talks

As discussion began today, House Democratic leader Dan Gelber raised numerous questions about the proposed rollback and homestead exemption -- questions presumably on the mind of everyone in Knott 212 and people across Florida since so little is known about the plan.

But after a few minutes, Sen. Mike Haridopolos cut the discussion short, saying the workshop would be devoted to other matters like business tax exemption and breaks for low-income seniors. Those items, however, are far more minor and mostly non-controversial. Haridopolos did say larger issues could come later today.

Frustrated Democrats got up and huddled on the side of the room. "The real meat of this is not being addressed," said Rep. Jack Seiler of Wilton Manors.

Comments

Get involved:
Hillsborough legislators want to hear from you about rising property taxes before the start of the special legislative session on June 12 in Tallahassee. Please plan to attend this important meeting -- below are the details:

Date: Tuesday, June 5

~ Important meeting on property taxes~

What:
Meeting of the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation

Topic:
Citizen Input on Property Taxes & Presentations by Local Governments

When:
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5

Where:
University Area Community Center Complex Gymnasium

14013 North 22nd Street

Tampa, FL 33613

Directions:
From Nebraska Ave. head east on Fletcher to 22nd Street. Turn north onto 22nd street and go a few blocks to the Center.

[taxedToDeath]

This is starting to sound exactly like the insurance "fix" that ended up fixing NOTHING.

Why doesn't Gelber propose another plan like he did during his vacation in Israel? Or perhaps another letter may do the trick.

This is a joke. Well done, Chairmen.

looks like Gelber takes his talking points from the Times. Great job on giving them ideas.

After the Israel trip, any final tax plan is sure to be kosher.

I guess on Monday the whole thing is going to fly like a monkey from their butts ... and with supporting data too.

[Paul D. Harvill]

Not before long, the really tough issues will have to be agreed to by both chambers by at least 60% of each chamber's members.

And then the people of Florida are mandated to 60% of the vote in order for the measures to become included in the Florida Constitution, and thus become law.

Some of these measures are required to be on the ballot as constitutional questions for the voters to decide, e.g. portability.

special session= plan for failure
Rubio idea #101- use tax reform as platform for future statewide campaign for Gov or US Senate. Cant do that if something real but small actually passes.

[Gene Smith]

If the REpublican led special session in January had actually done something to fix property insurance, the tax situation wouldn't be so desperate.

It is beginning to look like this special session will be more of the same. The Republicans will have their special session, do really nothing, declare victory and go home.

So who suffers. The disenfranchised voters of Florida.

Ds are going to eat the R's lunch next year.

Voters are going to do away with Save Our Homes?
Yeah, sure.
But it's an easy (and expensive) out for those who can't come up with anything else.

[Will]

save our homes was a bad idea to begin with, it created nothing but inequities between homeowners based on when they bought. Revenue caps would have been a better plan, and permanent solution.

The new super homestead exemption plan will help phase out the stupid SOH act, and existing homeowners will be grandfathered in if their current plan is better, and they can move if they like, and the new plan will help them pay less taxes after they move.

A good form of permanent portability. Allowing homeowners to move as they please, and not worry about the taxes.

Lets put revenue caps on Wall Street! Come on Wilbur… it the same as SOH?

Good point… why should I get punished just because I bought some stock at the wrong time.