After break, Crist back selling property tax cut

With Jan. 29 approaching, Gov. Charlie Crist is heading back out to promote the property tax cut plan known as Amendment 1.

On Monday, he'll go to Hollywood (we need to specify Hollywood, Florida, given the guv's love for out of state travel) to discuss the plan with a "bi-partisan" group including Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish. Also, "Vote Yes on 1" billboards (see example above) are sprouting across the state -- Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Lakeland.

Opponents, meanwhile, will roll out their message Tuesday at a fire station near the Governor's Mansion.

Comments

Are you sure the guy knows that Amendment 1 is a tax cut amendment and not an amendment in favor of civil unions?

Did you know that amendment 1 will allow portability for homes bought in 2007, if you came from another homestead? That could mean a huge break for you!

Vote YES on Amendment 1!

All the state owned buildings and FSU owned buildings in the city limits of Tallahassee I am assuming are exempt from real estate taxes. Anybody know if, or how state pays city for services like fire protection from city of Tallahassee. How's that work?

Does anyone else wonder why Chuck is spending so much money to push a “tax cut”?

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, smells like a duck, and requires millions to try and convince you that it isn’t a duck… it’s a freaking duck, people!

These criminals stole our loaf of bread, and want to give us back a crouton.

VOTE NO! Then, throw all their as*es out of office and start over.

SPT,

Please clarify the disclaimer on this.

Paid Political Advertisement sponsored by who?

4:29 - through the city-owned electric company... my friggin electric bill hit over $600 during the summer months - new a/c, new fridge, family of 4, 2600 sq ft and a pool.

6:02...guess you are paying for city fire protection for state buildings with your electric bill.

[st.pete t]

i wish he would come to my house and show me why i should vote for this amendment 1.i cannot to save my butt,see where i will be any further ahead by voting for this.i bought 3 years ago and by golly i can't see where i will be ahead do you? these people that say they will have portability and move....who's going to by their homes like they think? this i have to see. wake up out there in la-la land.now,if the taxes where low enough to start with,no one would need portability,then the market would move.

Here's the best reason to vote yes on 1 - It is a vote against the SP Times!

[terminator]

that should really convince em Charlie.

campaigning with the Broward property appraiser. yeah sure....they want to cut your taxes.

reminds me of that guy on SNL who couldn't stop lying.

Lori Parish is a witch and a hag. Anything she supports the public should be opposed to.

Double taxation with no representation is what the state employees who live in Tallahassee have. They, like the other city residents pay the highest utility rates in the state (and top 10 in the nation) so the City of Tallahassee can afford to charge the State discount rates in utilities AND because the State doesn't pay property taxes the residents have to pay higher property taxes. The City provides police protection, fire protection, etc. to the State - and what does the State do in return? Pays the lowest salaries in the nation for state employees.

The members of the legislature earn more for their 60 days of "work" than the average state employee earns for the entire year.

Members of the legislature get free health insurance for themselves and their family members, free dental care, a per diem which is almost 2X that of any state employee, plus an additional payment for each day they are in Tallahassee.

There isn't money to pay for CLEs for attorneys or training for other employees, but there is plenty of money to fly the members and their families and staff to Boston for a week of "training."

There is no money for salary adjustments for average state employees but plenty of "rate" to hire senior management at salaries higher than the Governor.

Absolutely no money to fix bathrooms with sewer gas leaks but plenty of money for high end furniture for each new Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Division Directors.

No money for merit raises for state employees, but lots and lots of money to fly in the state jets so they don't have to rub elbows with the "little people."

Kick these bums out - all of them. Vote anti-incumbent or anti-incumbent's party next election and each election thereafter until they get the point.

We elect the person - not the party. They are accountable to us - we are their boss - Hey "People's Governor" - we didn't "hire" you to pretend to fix property taxes (Vote No on Amendment 1 - make them come up with a real solution). We didn't hire you to pretend to fix property insurance. We didn't hire you to pretend to fix PIP.

Either get serious and do the hard work, rather than the photo op.

Crist, Rubio, Pruitt, Webster, Posey, Geller, et al - you have betrayed those who elected you. You are so full of yourselves you've forgotten what it is to live on a budget, to do your own shopping, and to have make ends meet. Each of you are a disgrace!!!!!!!!!!!!

7:43- have a drink and chill out! What happened you didn't get your "merit raise" this year? Guess what? I didn't get a job this year. If you want to give up your comfy job as an underworked government employee--I'll take it whiner.

Florida's corporate godfathers want to give you a $240 tax cut. Whoopee!

6:12 - and the real kicker is the City of Tallahassee raised taxes in the midst of the housing value boom. And when I moved into my house - the city enjoyed a doubling of revenue from property taxes from my house. Not complaining because I knew what they would be, but it sure does go to show the inequity brought on by SOH...

Hey, Termie, if the House plan from the special session was so good, how come no one (not even Marco) is supporting it now? You guys are losers and liars.

[Joe]

If unions are against Amendment 1, then it must be a good proposal.

I am voting YES on 1.

Gov Crist & Speaker Rubio both said they support Amendment 1.

Although it does not provide enough relief, it's a good start.
Let's get it passed & ask for more.

Plus PORTABILITY could save people thousands. It would save us near $6000

[Susan S]

$240 savings is all you get. If you go to the non-partisan Florida Tax Watch site and read about this debacle, you will see the legislators were told that the portability part of the amendment was almost certainly unconstitutional and would open the state up to all kinds of unintended consequences.

The legislature needs to go back into REGULAR session and give us real tax reform.

[No Relief For Me]

Portability will give relief only to some -- what about new and recent buyers who need relief? I guess we're chopped liver.

Answer me what is fair about this. Someone buys a home in 1994 for $105K and now the county says it's worth $419K, but his assessed value is $124K. His SOH benefit is $295K, which he can exempt off the purchase of a new home, plus his homestead exemption. His taxable value on a new home for $430K would be $85K. A new buyer with no SOH benefit would have a taxable value of $$380K on the same home.

It's discrimination and likely will be deemed unconstitutional in a federal court. VOTE NO!!! Demand true reform. Sign the citizens petition drive for 1.35% cap NOW

www.cutpropertytaxesnow.com

I am for the 1.35% amendment, but Save-Our-Homes has never been rule unconstitutional. In fact, I believe 2 recent court challenges have been dismissed.

NO MATTER HOW SOME PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT SOH, IT'S IS LEGAL & THE LAW.

I've voting YES on 1.

Portability could save most long-time retirees thousands or tens of thousands if they ever want to move.

Just that reason should be good enough for YES on 1.

9:19 - If you want a job that requires you to put in 70+ hours a week with no comp or flex time and have your life threated on a regular basis and be treated like sh*t by political appointees who think that they are "special" then you're welcome to it. Especially if you're willing to pay the highest electrical rates in the state so you keep you heat set for 60 and live where costs are just as expensive as Miami.

And, by the way, unlike you, I did complete college and graduate school.

9:19 - If you want a job that requires you to put in 70+ hours a week with no comp or flex time and have your life threatened on a regular basis you're welcome to it.

As long as you don't mind being treated like sh*t by political appointees who think that they are "special" and the laws don't apply to them (which you find out they are correct when the message comes from "upstairs" that the case is to be dropped.

You can have the job if you have the required 8 years of college, and be the least paid of all state employees in the nation.

You're welcome to move up here to Tallahassee if you can afford it, especially if you're willing to pay the highest electrical rates in the state so you rarely turn on the heat or ac.

And, by the way, "merit" raises are only for senior management - those politically connected political appointees who are brought in at the max. of the salary range - you know the type - come in at 10, leave at noon, back at 2 and leave at 5 (on the dot) while the rest of us are working.

They, by the way, receive free health insurance while most of us pay for ours and, even at that, can't get health care because the deductable and co-pays are too expensive.

This is how the state treats the people who rescue abused children, prosecute those who'd "reuse" the left over food in the restaurants (do you think they'd throw it away otherwise?), investigate nursing homes, and keep your food and water safe.

keep dreaming on the portability folks - courts will throw it out, and it will be the 2nd time these ridiculous hahah amendments can't even go forward as promised.

[No Relief For Me]

SOH was designed to keep people from being taxed out of their homes. I never said IT was unconstitutional. Portablity, however, IS in my opinion. I am a 22 yr resident of Florida and moved in 2006 because of a life changing event (divorce). My neighbor with the same value home pays half the taxes I do. If they stay put, SOH will always keep their taxes low, but why should they get to take this welfare subsidy with them from home-to-home while recent buyers, first-time home buyers and newcomers pay 2 to 4 times more than their neighbors.

The exampe I presented above with the guy who paid $105K and now has a home worth $420K. He pays $2400 a year, but if a newcomer, first-time home buyer (our children) or a long-term resident like me with 0% SOH buys his home, they will pay $8,000.

I'm not suggesting we abolish SOH -- just don't put it on steriods. Many long-term residents have no desire to move. Amendment 1 will not jumpstart the housing industry as those who want to move will have difficulty finding one to buy their home. We need real tax reform. www.cutpropertytaxesnow.com

VOTE NO ON ONE!!!!!

If this amendment doesn't pass, you can forget further tax reform. We all lose.

Portability looks legal to me and the state's lawyers that help draft it.
I highly doubt it would lose on any challenge.

I'm voting Yes on amendment 1.

It provides at least some relief.

[la]

did you know that amendment 1 will allow portability for homes bought in 2007??? and guess what folks? that means you could take your big ole honkin tax with you!! wow what a joke.

[st.pete t]

gee!! i did'nt know that i needed to vote for the portability and amendment1 to take my big tax bill with me.i bought 3 yrs ago so my taxes are just as big as last year so why should i vote for it? my vote is going to be NO and when it's time to vote on the senators and uncle charlie....guess what?? they're otta here too!! if it does'nt pass,(and i can't understand anyones thinking who would vote for it)they'll have to get one better on the table for the voters to keep this state from going under.rubio has the best idea and has my vote.

The amendment is doomed to fail at polls. Nobody fully understands it, nor its implications. Voters are suspicious of it, and will opt to vote no. Charlie Crist, with his mug on the "Vote Yes on 1" billboards, better realize a "No vote on 1" is a no vote on him too.

I can’t wait for my $240 savings… I’m going to use it to jump-start our economy by buying a new car, a new home, a new TV, new furniture, open my own business, take a three week vacation to Europe, send my kids to college… and with the money I have left over, I’m going to donate to the “Re-Elect The Peoples’ Mistake” campaign!… right after I buy a big bag of pot. Maybe if I smoke all of it at once, I’ll forget what a miserable bunch of retards Chuck and his band of criminals in Tallytown are.

VOTE NO… then throw all of their as*es out come Election Day! We’ll start over with a new group, and outlaw photo ops.

Despite most of the states liberal newspapers going against Amendment 1,
the people of FL really like it.

A recent poll shows it would likely pass with near 70% approval.

I'm voting YES on 1.
Any tax break is better than none considering the drunken spending of local government.

YES ON 1!!

Dear 6:58 p.m.,

How old are you? I will assume that you are old because of how crotchety you seem. Let's say you are 70. If you live for 16 years, the amendment is worth nearly $4,000 to you in your remaining lifetime. It is much more than you deserve.

If you don't want your $240 per year for the rest of your life, I would be happy to take it. In addition, the SOH portability is especially useful if you really are an old geeeezzzer. It will allow you to downgrade your home into a reasonable condo while dramatically reducing your taxes.

Oh, and if you reject the amendment, HOW IS IT THAT YOUR ACTIONS WILL HELP OUR ECONOMY? WHEN WILL YOUR PLAN BEGIN TO WORK? WHY NOT JUST GO BACK TO WHEREVER YOU CAME FROM.

Dear 7:52… err… minion,

If our ever so passionate politicians bless me with $10 a year, and I live for 1000 years… then I’ll save $10,000 dollars… WOW!… “You love me, you really do love me!”… “Let me eat cake, let me eat cake!”

Save your bullsh*t for the weak-minded lemmings of your ilk, staffer…

Oh, pinhead… to answer one of your “scripted for you” retorts… “WHEN WILL YOUR PLAN BEGIN TO WORK?”

The very minute my plan is put into action on Election Day… which is to vote out every one of these lying, corrupt, self-serving, moronic, condescending, corporate puppets – and their retarded staffers like you – right out on your as*es.

So why don’t you go pick up your perverted boss’ dry cleaning, you dimwitted monkey-stick, and get back to work stealing my tax dollars.

… idiot

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If you know what’s good for you, and Florida!

I can’t wait for my $240 savings… I’m going to use it to jump-start our economy by buying a new car, a new home, a new TV, new furniture, open my own business, take a three week vacation to Europe, send my kids to college… and with the money I have left over, I’m going to donate to the “Re-Elect The Peoples’ Mistake” campaign!… right after I buy a big bag of pot. Maybe if I smoke all of it at once, I’ll forget what a miserable bunch of retards Chuck and his band of criminals in Tallytown are.

VOTE NO… then throw all of their as*es out come Election Day! We’ll start over with a new group, and outlaw photo ops.

VOTE NO!
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If you know what’s good for you, and Florida!

[Joe]

Vote NO on ONE

The $240 per year is only an AVERAGE folks!!!...Some people may not even see that !!!! ....Also, when your local taxing authorities RAISE millage rates, your taxes will actually GO UP!!!....And NOTHING in this amendment will stop this

We need real LIMITS on spending ...We need to cap how much your property taxes will be

www.cutpropertytaxesnow.com

Vote NO on ONE

[Joe]

To the poster who said a poll gave this amendment a 70% affirmative vote? Where is this poll? I have seen less favorable results....

This Amendment is very good for Floria...it is very good for the people...why would anyone vote against a tax cut?

Why vote no? Because of that turkey Crist who calls himself the peoples governor. BS!!!

[Susan S]

This amendment will make real reform more difficult, if not impossible.

The minimal tax cut will force major cuts in services (Hillsborough County schools will lose $180 million over 5 years just as the class-size amendment requirements kick in.)

This amendment also exacerbates the inequities in our tax system. If it passes, no doubt there will be court challenges. Imagine what will happen if the courts rule Save Our Homes unconstitutional. How will we ever give rebates to the Florida residents who have been unfairly burdened with the brunt of taxes over the past decade? Florida will be bankrupt.

[Dave]

Portablity is unconstitutional. You can't tie property taxes to individuals, only property.

[Jason Straight]

Lori Passish is the most Hated Appraiser in the state ..Browards assessments are the highest in florida and she has 200 homestead police chasing snowbirds

[No Relief For Me]

Anyone who votes YES on this amendment is so selfish they can't see beyond their own nose. They fail to see how the passing of this amendment will thwart efforts for viable reform. It's passing will ensure our legislators will close the door on meaningful reform and those who were crying for relief will just have to accept they got the big finger instead.

If you have children, please think about them. How will they ever be able to afford a home in Florida? Surely you must have some friends who moved too quickly, or maybe some new friends who just recently moved to Florida that are paying 2 to 4 times the taxes you are for the same value of home. This proposal only deepens the inequities in our system.

VOTE NO for the good of our state. we need a plan that gives relief to ALL -- not just some. Force our legislators back into session to propose viable reform.

Susan,

Quick question... if educations taxes are held harmless, how will this impact Hillsborough as you claim? I do want to know as I do not support this amendment, but probably for other reasons than you. I would like to add your thoughts on the education cuts to my list.

Thanks

[Reality]

"Portability looks legal to me and the state's lawyers that help draft it.
I highly doubt it would lose on any challenge.

I'm voting Yes on amendment 1.

It provides at least some relief."

These would be the same legislative lawyers who said the first property tax package was legal but was then tossed by the courts right?

[st.pete t]

portability is a bunch of*&%$#$%. if the taxes were lower in the first place as rubio wants them...you would'nt need portability.that is the only way to jump start florida and bring it back out of the tube that it's going down.i vote no and when it's time to vote for a new government,(governor charlie included)i'll vote no to everyone there too.let's get it right this time.it seems that they don't have florida's best interest in them.

As good as year as Crist had last year, this one will equally bad for him.
He loses Lemieux and the tax amendment. He still has to keep Arlene.He gets no insurance reduction and the state budget and property values continue to fall.
Further if Obama gets nomination no Republican can beat him and there will be a Democrat president.