Police chiefs urge no vote on tax proposal

The Florida Police Chiefs Association Wednesday joined the opposition to next week's vote on Amendment 1, the proposal to increase the homestead exemption and make the Save Our Homes tax cap provision portable. Juno Beach Police Chief Skip Clark, president of the group, said the proposal would worsen "the disparities and inequities embedded in the current property tax structure."

The chiefs who spoke at a Tallahassee news conference said they agree the tax structure is unfair and they were careful to avoid criticizing the proposal's No. 1 cheerleader, Gov. Charlie Crist. But they said that if the tax proposal passes next Tuesday, it could mean reductions in law enforcement personnel in Florida.

"While its future fiscal impacts on Florida's infrastructure is unknown, what we do know is the impact on law enforcement capabilities, which will be immediate and severely cut," Clark said.

Crist on Wednesday said he did not think such fears are warranted, because city and county officials who are accountable to their constituents would only reduce police protection as a last resort.

Comments

The entire issue is a scam on the part of Chuck and the Legislature to divert voter attention away from their failure to address their promise to lower insurance rates (something they can impact), and make voters “think” that they can impact local tax rates (something they can’t impact).

This is smoke-n-mirrors politics as usual. We should vote NO, and throw their lying, miserable, self-serving a*ses out on Election Day. We can reload with new faces and try again. My $240 would only go towards my insurance increase anyway.

In most cities, property taxes barely cover police and fire expenses. Does Charlie even research this stuff?

Hopefully Charlie will go down faster than those taxes (dropping like a rock, yeah right). His absence of leadership (as well as honesty is appauling). The whole property tax amendment is nothing but a hand out to the Realtors as a very short-term stimulus. Meanwhile, the long-term consequences will be we're right back where we are today with the Save Our Homes/Exempted property owners paying little taxes and everyone since then (a small portion of people) paying a tremendous amount. No one likes paying taxes, but they ought to be at least mildly fair.

Enough is enough from "One term" Charlie and the clowns in the Fla. legislature. Send them a message and vote "NO" on Amendment 1.

[What Are You Kidding Me?]

How does Charlie have a 60% approval rating?

Thoze dang cops always eatin donuts and handin out speedin tickets. What a waste of my money just like them there city traffic workers you know one of em diggin while three more leans on theyre shovels. Yep, I saw it just the other day. Please blayme the locals and give me a big tax break.

Problem Solved!

[Eyes Wide Open!]

This post from an earlier blog makes it plain and simple.

---The founders of this great nation, and our great state, never intended our Constitutions to be a means by which to validate the act of taxation of the people, regardless of a perceived result.

This is a very slippery slope, and an extremely dangerous precedent.

For that reason alone, everyone should vote NO.---

it COULD mean a reduction. Self serving unions

... or... it could mean you've been lied too... AGAIN!

... pinheaded lemming

Everyone must live within their means including police & fire depts.

We had police, fire, ambulance in 2001 when budgets were 50% lower. Where is the $$$.

Quit wasting it.

We had schools in 1968 before the revision to the Constitution. Why do we need to spend more on them?

We don't need to spend more. Just add in inflation & growth.

[Canned Posts R Us]

10:29 Problem Solved! Right?