Senate Out -- Will Return Next Week

Senate President Ken Pruitt told senators they could go home this weekend, Speaker Marco Rubio confirmed.

Here's a statement his office released today:

"Yesterday was one of my proudest moments as President of the Florida Senate. In an open forum, in a deliberative manner, and with spirited debate the Florida Senate passed a second wave of tax relief, adding $11 billion more in property tax cuts. We negotiated with the House of Representatives in good faith, and passed a plan that was in keeping the Special Session call - our signed agreement. Taxpayers can be encouraged that we are headed to the finish line, While there are those who want more tax relief, and those who want less, I believe this is a tax relief package that voters will embrace on January 29 - because it will result in lower taxes without harming education."

Pruitt added, "I am grateful to our Governor, Charlie Crist, who has made it his top priority to reduce taxes for the people of this state. Speaker Marco Rubio's passion and energy have helped us get to where we are today; he has consistently advocated for those who are desperate for tax relief, and I am grateful to be his partner in this effort."

Comments

senate: Let's go home and hope this reduction on taxes for everyone including my Florida home and the businesses that keep the economy going blows over.

Come on guys-do the right thing and pass the house version.

In other words: go home to your districts and blame the House for ruining any real chance at tax reform, while House members are up in Tallahassee.

Rollback taxes and spending to 2002 levels, and expand the SOH cap to all property, both residential and commercial.

Problem solved!

"Yesterday was one of my proudest moments as President of the Florida Senate."

... next to that time when Allen tapped my foot and gave me $20.

[Ron]

The House and Senate are both going home for the weekend. There is something much more important going on in Tallahassee this weekend.

UM vs FSU. Let's go Canes!!!

The senate is a bunch of do nothing liberals... maybe if they had some backbones we would have had caps on all property months ago. I'm hoping the 100's of citizens initiatives get on the ballot and really mess things up... THEN THE POLITICIANS WILL HAVE NO CHOICE!

This new proposal will hardly lower property taxes. On average, the taxpayers will get around $200 (minus any fees local gov't decide to tack back on us). It is clearly a "TALLAHASSEE SPECIAL" so they (especially Gov photo op Crist) can pat themselves on the back and declare victory. The FL House of Rep. & Speaker Marco Rubio needs to ensure meaningful relief go to the people of FL.

Either do it right or not at all.

They need to pass a rollback of taxes to the pre-real estate bubble and cap these local fatcats from overspending.

Eliminate the school portion from property taxes for 1% more in sales tax. That would save homeowners about 40%. It's a good compromise that won't completely eliminate property taxes but would bring much needed relief to FL homeowners.
Roll back taxes 2 years & cap them from local government overspending would then help businesses & homeowners.

Problem solved & this plan would get overwhelming support by the people.

[Douglas]

FL Senate + Democrats = High Property Taxes

Fl Senate + Republicans = more child molestation and closet gay perverts

11:47 and 12:36:

explain how this story -- about the florida senate -- has anything to do with what you're talking about. you're like a kid who just learned the word "boobies" and tries to work it into every conversation. grow up.

Good point, 12:51... we should all grow up and be just like the "adults" he/she is referring to. You know, the folks who hold these seats and make decisions that impact the lives of so many? That's the kind of clear, moral judgement we need.

I love the folks that attack the Senate and the Senate Democrats for not wanting to do anything. The Senate has passed its plan for the Constitutional Amendment. The House has not even begun the first minute of public debate on the floor about its plan.

For those that are arguing that the Senate should pass the House's plan, I would suggest that you tell the House to pass its plan first, whatever that might be at this point.

What a joke these House staffers are turning out to be this year. They think that the staff plan is the members' plan the way it was when the House rubber stamped everything they wrote from their previous positions in Jeb's office. Now the staff plan can't even get introduced for second reading on the floor. Hah hah hah.

It is funny to see these staffers post here because they don't have anything else to do. Their plan is written, and they just have to wait for someone (anyone) to vote for it.

Why all the jokes regarding the Senate and bathroom stall tapping? That member which you children are referring to is a member of the House of Representatives.

Well
it could be because we are all figuring out where all the closet cases are hiding The GOP

Grand Ole Perverts

Or, it could just be that they don't have any original thoughts, and no idea what is really being discussed.

Rollback taxes and spending to 2002 levels, and expand the SOH cap to all property, both residential and commercial.

Problem solved!

1:20 pm,

We'' see who pays dearly at the polls when Floridians don't get their big property tax relief.

Trust me, every democrat & Senate member voting against relief will have it hanging over them at next election.

Yea, instead of the Democrat that hide their stack of cash in the freezer while the FBI search his U.S. Congressional office.

Can you say U.S. Congressmen William Jefferson.

more on him:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_J._Jefferson

Florida needs to find a way to do away with Save Our Homes. It is what has led to incredibly unfair taxes from one neighbor to the next. I believe it should be unconsitutional.

4:05
Actually, it is in the Florida Constitution.