Wobble wheels in the House

UPDATE (5:56 p.m.) The bill passed, as expected, on party lines. It now includes a 1 cent sales tax increase to offset school property taxes, as well as the 3 percent assessment cap. Republicans say they are serious about pursing the issues. Democrats called it posturing. "All we're missing is John Belushi shouting 'Toga party,' " said Rep. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach.

Divided among party lines and geography, the House Policy & Budget Council is poised to pass the property tax legislation. But approval aside, the daylong debate underscores problems for a proposal that only a few days ago seemed a sure thing.

Democrats worry about the effect on education, the unanswered questions, incomplete financial analysis and the speed at which the debate is going. Some accused Republicans of purposefully trying to gum up the works by passing an amendment that would cap nonhomestead property assessments at 3 percent annually. (Although that came after a Democratic  proposal to cap property at 7 percent, the average growth over two decades.)

"The faster we go, the behinder we get," said Rep. Joyce Cusack, D-DeLand. Normally only a pain in the Republican side, Democrats hold power because their votes are needed to put a proposal on the Jan. 29 ballot.

Even some Republicans who said they will vote for the package do so reluctantly, hoping problems can be worked out over the next 24 hours. Among their concerns, a provision limiting taxing authority of local governments and the wide ranging financial effects statewide.

"When the effects are so disparate -- from a 2 percent on somebody’s budget to a 16 percent impact on somebody's budget -- with the same law, the same legislation year in the same, that is something I think we need to look at very seriously," said Rep. Joe Pickens, R-Palatka, the House education chief.

Others said the main issues have been discussed for months and the public cannot wait for a chance to vote on Jan. 29. "If you want to call it rushing, call it whatever you want," said Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel. "But we’re urgent because the citizens demand that of us."

A measure of calm is in order. With Gov. Charlie Crist solidly behind a plan, it is unlikely the Republican leaders of the House and Senate will let things totally fall apart.

Comments

"The faster we go, the behinder we get,"

The “BEHINDER” we get… the ‘BEHINDER” we get?

No wonder they’re worried about education funding. So here’s the million dollar question; are the fools the ones who use terms like “… the behinder we get”, or are the fools the ones who put her in office to begin with?

Answer: All of the above. You’ve just got to dig FTAC… just aks anyones.

yes, what are you waiting for. All the facts & information are there. It's not going to change just by hoping it will. The Legislature just need to decide which plan to choose.

I support the 3% cap. That should be more than plenty. If the Democrats don't want to give us property relief, I want their names and chamber vote recorded, so WE CAN VOTE THEM OUT AT NEXT ELECTION.

It's all about the photo op these days in Tally. The reps rushing the legislation through simply want to get their picture taken with CC and say that they lowered taxes for the people.

"Well, it is just a starting point."
"We will be continuing this discussion in the regular session."
"We made a great start, but have much more to do."
"I hope we can do more at a later date."
"We will have more financial impact data in the future, and can lower property taxes even more then."
"The People are crying for relief, and relief is on the way."

- - - - EOG Book of Handy Quotes
Insert where required

[Will]

first, tax relief is needed no matter what. dems are trying to be partisan and find reasons to block it, b/c they love taxes too much.

second,
exemption should only double for homes assessed at 100K and more. That way, first 25K exempt, next 75K taxed, then 25K more exempt.

third, business assessments should not increase more than, say 6% per year. But 3% cap is too steep, since businesses dont change hands near as often as homes.

fourth, throw out the low income senior total exemption, and maybe throw in an additional 25K exemption instead. everyone who owns a home should pay something.

fifth, first time homebuyer 25% reduction should be in place, but phased out as SOH difference grows.

sixth, portability is ESSENTIAL.

seventh, I'm an idiot and haven't got the first damn clue what I'm talking about... I just post what I'm told to post.

Love,

Will

“Democrats worry about the effect on education…”

Thos horrible Democrats, how dare they care about children. Don’t they know that we Republicons only want them as sex toys?

“… unanswered questions, incomplete financial analysis…”

Standard Operating Procedures for Republicaon economics 101… and going to war.

“Some accused Republicans of purposefully trying to gum up the works…”

I just knew public bathrooms would enter the fry at some point.

"The faster we go, the behinder we get,"

And leave it to a Democrap to give us the “Dee-Dee-Deeeee” phrase o’ the day.

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

Problem solved!

[Ronnie]

4:49pm, I don't know who you are, but you are persistent.

PS. I agree with you.

the whole tax debate is warped anyway - we're not gonna get anywhere when we look at it from the perspective of how do we fund government services. we should look at it as what minimal amount of tax should a family pay and still be able to prosper and then make government live within its means.

why do we bless government with all our tax money and then we the citizens figure out how to live within our means - backwards socialist progressive thinking is what it is.

Caps for snowbirds? Why? If they want the benefits of residency they should move here. The benefits of maintaining residency in their current state (or country) must be of greater value to them. You can't have your cake and eat it too. Thanks for visiting!

SOH portability is a must. Tax free housing for seniors is a no-no. The rest of us have to make up for it, that's just another inequity.

5:14, YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. Floridians need to decide how much we can afford & willing to let the gov't have for taxes & THEY MUST LIVE WITHIN THEIR MEANS.

NO BUTS ABOUT IT.

No one has ever mistaken Cusack for Einstein.

[terminator]

is there any property tax cut plan that would be acceptable to Geller, Gelber and company?
posturing is expected but give it up Dan.
lower taxes will happen one way or another.
you're either with us or against us (it's that simple).

This new addition is a wonderful. If the Senate kills this then they just want to "win" not do what is right. I urge every single person to email their Senator and encourage them to do the right thing and vote "yes" on the house bill. When does the Toga party begin? It would be a real reason to celebrate!

www.rubio2010.com

I like the 1% sales tax plan. I just wish they would use it to eliminate the school portion of property taxes.
0.85 of 1% would be enough to eliminate every homestead's school portion of property taxes (around 40% of your total prop. taxes).
With this plan, you really wouldn't need portibility because taxes would go down near 40%.

[John]

Go Speaker Marco Rubio!!!!

The truth is that any decent meaningful plan will need to include some sales tax increase. I have no problem with our sales tax going from 6% to 7%. (Have you ever gone shopping in some major metro cities, we pay more than that in sales tax).

A good compromise is 1% sales tax increase.

Fatcats Democrats Steve Geller & Dan Gelber just do not want to give ANY meaningful property tax relief--PLAIN & SIMPLE!!

FACTS ARE FACTS

Now that is a great idea. Bet the Senate kills it. They never listen to the people who elect them. What happens when they become a Senator? Too much of a big shot to help the guy that elected you? All about your ego and how many times you are quoted by the press or interviewed on TV?

I don't hold out much hope the Senate will agree. They are stupid.

"The faster we go, the behinder we get,"
No kidding. You and Gelber with your fat "behinds" will always have this problem... because you think with it

"The faster we go, the behinder we get,"
No kidding. You and Gelber with your fat "behinds" will always have this problem... because you think with it

[John]

great article here-must read:

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2007/oct/16/editorial-series-florida-over-its-our-decision-par/

[zenator]

Watching the sausage being made is never pretty.

At the last minute, a bill will come together, which will not involve raising the sales tax.

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

Problem solved!

Best proposal:

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.

9:14

so you could have a new, small business move in across the street from a capped residential condominium...

and that business would not only pay higher taxes than the condo, w/o any changes to highest/best use, that businesses would also be assessed as if it were a condo! Granted it might be capped moving forward, but what's the point if the initial tax bill is alreasy 5x higher???!!

It's a TERRIBLE idea for economic development and small biz growth.

[goddess]

I bet the people laughing at Cusack's "behinder" voted for Bush. How very hypocritical.