Failure isn't the end for tax cap idea

Backers of a 1.35 percent property tax cap failed to get enough signatures for the November ballot, but the idea may not be dead.

State Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, said Monday he will introduce the idea as a bill for the upcoming legislative session.

“My No. 1 concern is let’s treat everyone equally,” Bennett said. “This has great possibility.”

The proposal would restrict taxes to 1.35 percent of the taxable value of any parcel, including commercial property. Modeled after California’s Proposition 13, it would effectively limit millage rates to 13.5 percent statewide.

The homestead exemption and Save Our Homes assessment cap would remain.

Supporters say it would cut property taxes by $8 billion in the first year alone and reduce property tax collections by 26 percent statewide.

The proposal has strong support from House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-Miami, and others who feel the Amendment 1 tax cut that passed last Tuesday did not go far enough.

Whether it gets any traction is another question.

Lawmakers struggled for most of last year on ways to cut property taxes and there may be little room for more. Cities, counties and schools have already been forced to cut billions — twice.

First in a rollback that went into effect last fall and will cut $15-billion over five years, and then the $9.3-billion Amendment 1 is projected to cut over the same period.

Organizers, however, say there is a clear desire for more.

“The legislators have seen there is an appetite for tax cuts and they’ve seen local government cannot scare voters away,” said David McKalip, a St. Petersburg doctor who is one of the forces behind the proposal.”

Advocates launched an effort late last year to collect the more than 611,000 signatures to put the idea before voters. They now have about 135,000. Signatures are good for four years, so the 2010 ballot is reachable.

But the Legislature could fast-track it by putting it on the ballot this year.

-- Alex Leary

Comments

Finally!!! But of course it is DOA because they don't really want to fix the problem they are more concerned about their soundbites than the working class.

Here's hoping the portability AND SOH are deemed unconstitutional - kinda would force them to address something along these lines... that being real relief.

[Dave]

It was a total mistake to pass Amendment 1. It does not leave much room for the tax cap.

If they would: cap local government and special district property taxtes to 1.5 and require any override only with voter approval; remove school taxes from property taxes; eliminate fatcat exemptions from sales taxes; and expand sales taxes to include services the system would be more equitable AND have a less draconian impact on the housing market and business!

Additionally, for the univeristies, require an "Booster" organizations to use 1/2 of their funds raised for "academic" programs budgets (not administration).

Finally, raise tutition at the universities and set it to some sort of index to keep the dollars "real."

Additionally, lower salaries of the members to 3/12ths of the average state employee, lower their per diem to that of state employees, make across the board budget cuts apply FIRST to their budgets, and make them pay for their health and dental insurance just like any other part-time state employee.

Marco fails again

[terminator]

it was highly unrealistic for 1.35 to get on this year's ballot but it will get on the 2010 ballot for sure.

Bennet's bill is just a smokescreen in an attempt to cover the Senate's *ss, since they're the ones who gave us the lame A1 along with their buddy Charlie the tuna (you know the one who never shows up for work)?

Do you seriously believe Pruitt, Geller, et al really want property tax relief?

If you do, I've got some land down in Sopchoppy I can sell you!

5:44 am; 6:02 am; and 6:29 am -

Bravo to all of you!

[bchfla2]

Fairness is what this is all about. This ammendment will do just that. Ammendment 1 could not do this.. It only pandered to a class of residential voters who already had the best deal in town. If they could fast tract this in the legislature, or at least get it on the ballot, then Florida has a real chance to pull itself out of the slump before it is too late. Let the voters decide what's best for them. Most people I talked to who voted for Ammendment 1 told me "This is probably all I'll ever get. Something is better than nothing!" These are comments from people that have been beaten down from this lengthy process of reform. Well people, the 1.35 proposition 13 equivalent is relief for all..equally across the board. It has the potential to alleviate the problems that plague our state. Don't settle for less when you can have more, and at the same time help pull your state out of the doldrums. By giving people the ability to spend the dollars they saved from paying property taxes it has the potential to keep small business going, more homeowners out of bankruptsy, spurring real estate sales and creating an increased infrastructure that will maintain the way of life we had been accustomed to before all this started. Don't let this opportunity
slip away. Let's start treating the disease instead of just the symptoms.
Remember one thing.. Ammendment 1 was REFORM only. Proposition 1.35 is RELIEF for all! We need it to start the healing that Florida so desperately needs.

It's about time FL gets something like California's Prop 13 that revolutionalized property tax collection.

Let's get it on the ballot & let the voters decide!!

Everyone, contact State Sen. Mike Bennett and urge him to put the 1.35% prop. cap amendment on the agenda.

his contact info:
1-800-500-1239

Email:
bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov

District Office:
3653 Cortez Road West,
Suite 90
Bradenton, FL 34210

If the GOP Drunken Sailors would quit trying to give away our education and services funding on big tax cuts for their corporate buddies, we wouldn't be in the sorry state we're in.

Vote NO on any GOP-sponsored tax plans, especially those involving Marco Rubio, who's buried up to his neck in the rear ends of S FL condo builders.

Problem Solved!

[Drunken Local Govt Sailor]

The main & real problem is the DRUNKEN SPENDING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT. Unless we can control their spending, taxes will be constantly out of control.

The grass-root 1.35% Property Tax Plan supported by Speaker Marco Rubio is the best plan out there.

HELP PUT IT ON THE BALLOT & WE VOTERS WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REST LIKE JAN 29TH

[Live With Your Means]

http://www.cutpropertytaxesnow.com/

[Ronnie]

3:17, corporations don’t pay taxes. Just like they don’t pay for their supplies or employee costs. We pay them when we buy their product or service. Businesses are in business to make money. If they don’t make money they go out of business. If they go out of business their employees don’t have jobs. Prices are based on cost plus profit. So stop hating businesses so much, you probably work for one.

I agree, Terminator. Rubio was silly to suggest that they could get the signatures in time for November after he failed to muster the votes in his own House for the reform that he really wanted to take credit for during the third legislative attempt to get anything done. As such, I think he was just pandering to the public by even pretending to work on the initiative. Of course, you predicted that he would "stand firm" and "send his bill back to the Senate." Then, you suggested that he will lead a petition drive to get reform passed in November. Then, you say that this was never going to happen anyway. What's next? You guys are spinning the facts faster than a Romney spokesperson on Super Tuesday evening.

What's the plan now? He could quit, and because he has the worst record in politics, he could get the first draft pick next year.

Advocates launched an effort late last year to collect the more than 611,000 signatures to put the idea before voters. They now have about 135,000.
_________________________________

Doesn't sound like Speaker Rubio and David McKalip have much of a true mandate.

[bchfla2]

I think it is fair to say that the signature gathering process for this ammendment did not even start till late November 07, which did not give it as much time as other ammendments, which sometimes takes years. I think it should be noted that this is a clear mandate from the people that change is needed, when they could gather that many signatures in a matter of 6-8 weeks. I think there is no doubt what-so-ever in my mind that those totals would be overwhelming had this group had additional time. 2010 could be a slam dunk for this group if not earlier. The Times even stated this as much, when it mentioned it was on a running start. Legislators know this group will get it done by then but could still get it on the 2008 ballot with help and claim an earlier victory. Everybody needs to get behind this form of proposition 13. It makes sense.

Speaker Rubio and the other supporters of this proposed amendment could have raised the big bucks quick and then have both volunteer and paid petition gatherers - AND then achieve adequate number of petitions.

They did not. Enough said.

You forget this was a grassroots coalition with limited resources. Charlie on the other hand had 4.3 million dollars to spend from Florida Progress and others. How is that going to affect your electric bill when all is said and done. How many promises were made? Anything good that happens, has to come from the people like this ammendment and unfortunately the people do not have unlimited resources particularly in hard times. Better re-think your position, it doesn't hold water 7:50.