TABOR vote put off, for now

The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission will not vote today on the controversial revenue and spending cap proposal known informally as TABOR, its chief sponsor told the Buzz late Tuesday.

"We're going to workshop it," said commissioner Mike Hogan, who is also Duval County tax collector. Speaking shortly before midnight, Hogan said he was exhausted after a day of working on the proposal and making at least six changes to a bill that has already been altered various ways.

Some of those changes -- including dealing long term bonds and hospital districts -- may need further discussion and how they relate to the overall objective, he said. "People have come up with different ideas and once you do that, things start falling in different directions. Sometimes the worst thing is the law of unintended consequences. I just want to be careful and cautious and give some time for feedback."

Hogan denied the delay is due to lack of support (17 of 25 TBRC members must approve). Noting that the Sunshine Law prevents him from talking with other commissioners, Hogan said people who have that freedom have reported support as low as 14 and as high as 20.

"More important," he said, "is that we get this right."

The proposal is known as TABOR, or taxpayers' bill of rights. It would limit revenue collection at all levels of government to no more than population growth (or school enrollment) plus inflation plus 1 percent. New fees or taxes would need voter approval. And breaking the cap would require a supermajority vote of a local government.

Comments

BRAVO!

Take a step back & make sure you draft the right Taxpayer's Protection Amendment.

Not likely, Mike will do whatever the ROP directs him to do. And, he'll do it with a smile!

nancy reilly is no friend to business and is definately NOT a Republican. She whored out to mackay..It was a disgusting sight!

[Dee]

If your perspective on Reilly is the case then we need a whole house full of them.

The tax swap proposed is a winner for the average Floridian, will eventually lead to elimination of some special interest tax exemptions and broaden the tax base.

Go McKay!!!

[Will]

With the supermajority override included in the bill, it should not be a problem working. If budgets become dire, enough members will vote to override it by a small amount.