Lawsuit takes aim at 'tax swap

UPDATE: Sen. Mike Haridopolos responds to McKay. See the jump.

A lawsuit was filed this afternoon challenging the Amendment 5 "tax swap" that has been put on the November ballot. Read the complaint here.

"The misleading title fails to adequately inform voters of the chief purpose of the proposed amendment," said Barry Richard, attorney for the Coalition to Protect Florida's Economy. "The question is affirmatively and materially misleading by indicating to the voter that Amendment 5 is just about school property taxes."

Instead, the plan calls for increasing the sales tax by at least 1 cent and possibly eliminating some sales tax exemptions or instating a tax on some services, such as accountants.

Former Sen. John McKay, who championed the proposal on the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission earlier this year, said he is confident his side will prevail. "I'm certainly not surprised that special interests will fight as long as they can to preserve their tax exemptions at the expense of the average Floridian," he told the Buzz.

"They are going to try and deny Floridians a 25 percent to 45 percent property tax cut. I think voters will see through the deception, just like they did with Amendment 1."

Replies Sen. Mike Haridopolos, the Melbourne Republican who is helping lead the charge against the plan:

"Actually its almost funny, what John McKay said about special interests, if this were not such a serious issue about the future of our state. How can he call, our elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, community colleges, universities, small and big businesses, senior citizens, anti-tax groups, and Florida farmers a bunch of special interests? The only group supporting this tax increase is the one group specifically exempted from paying higher taxes if this passes, the Realtors. This is exactly why I have challenged John McKay to a series of debates across Florida so we can have a debate about the future of
our state. This is the Sunshine state and lets get this issue into the sunshine!"

Comments

[Vote No on 5!!!]

It's a TAX CAP like SOH, but for non-homesteaded properties (ie corporate welfare for realtors, flippers, and carpetbaggers.) The revenue sources it supposedly will tap are mostly imaginary. Net result: Tax cut for rich GOP campaign donors. As usual.

Vote No on 5!!!

... how's that $240 working out for y'all?

Hahahahahahaaa...

Tell me again why the Realtors are supporting Amendment 5? Where is the Governor going to be?

coalition to protect florida's economy? wow, that sounds really cool and thoughtful. how come nobody names their organizations -- coalition to screw over the old, poor, and minorities?

4:50 - When you compare how much I was going to pay, plus the additonal roll back, I got more than $240, and so did most people. Thanks. HAHAHAHAHAHA.

This amendment is a joke. It's polling at under 50%. Charlie won't want his name associated with something that will drag down his approval rating 10 points.

The Realtors will get Charlie to support this. They are funding his trade mission and have over $1 million to spend on the amendment. Even in a non-election year....geez.

HA!! What a stupid law suit!! I guess they did not read the Amendment before they filed. It does not increase the sales tax unless the legislature does it. It does not state "at least" one cent-- it states "up to one cent" It also offers the legislature 3 other sources of revenue to replace the school tax. What I think is a hoot is the the schools will receive less and less money the way our system is set up currently because it is all based on housing values and everyone knows those values are plunging downward. Less in '08-- and much less in '09!! Once again the greedy school unions and the meanie retail federation will screw over the property owner of Florida and they are so dumb they do not realize it will kill their members. Not buying homes means no new carpet, appliances, painter and carpenters with jobs and no snow birds to spend their money. Really, really stupid people! This will be fun to watch the judge throw this out HA-HA-HA-HA-HA

Vegas Baby Vegas

5:22 - aren't you at your state job a little late today?

You can bet that this "Coalition to Protect Florida's Economy" represents billboard companies, TV stations and newspapers who might have to finally collect sales tax if amendment 5 is passed.

5:53: guess you are as stupid as Randy Miller if you think I am a state worker. I own a retail company currently sinking because of our outrageous property taxes!!! Miller says he represents me! Hog wash! He represents those accountants and his girlfriend that used to work for them.

6:08 - is it a gas station?

I am glad to have my $240 because I worked for it. Some of you who don't think it worthwhile to keep your $240 need to send it to one of your favorite government agencies, the democratic party, some union lobbyist or other special interest group constantly seeking to take more of my money to satisfy their agenda.

If $240 is not such a big deal then why do you keep ranting on and on about it?

Give it to Mikey, hell eat it. Hey Mikey.

[Vote No on 5!!!]

It's a TAX CAP like SOH, but for non-homesteaded properties (ie corporate welfare for realtors, flippers, and carpetbaggers.) The revenue sources it supposedly will tap are mostly imaginary. Net result: Tax cut for rich GOP campaign donors. As usual.

Vote No on 5!!!

Problem Solved!

[Tom]

The legislation protects Realtors and Stock Brokers from any future tax on services. Regardless of the outcome of the court case, the State ought to subject all forms of Brokerage Fees to Gross Receipts Tax effective July 1, 2009.

tom, you've tried to sell that line of bunk for months now. A5 doesn't exempt realtors, stock brokers, the butcher, baker or candlestick maker.

Enough of your lies. go have another doughnut.

[Tammy]

VOTE YES ON 5

VOTE YES ON 5

VOTE YES ON 5

INTELLIGENT people realize that this is a tremendous financial break for ALL people...EVERYONE will have their property taxes reduced....You will have more money - much more money in YOUR OWN pocket - not the government(schools) who just WASTES WASTES WASTES our money.....

It is in the STATE Constitution that it is the responsibility of the STATE to provide education...They just decided to pass it off to the homeowner...No more..

And BTW, the main group who supports AMENDMENT 5 IS the HOMEOWNER !!!!

[Debbie]

Uh, vote yes. If Charlie and Company can find thousands of dollars to send a little entourage and his 'girlfriend' overseas for almost two weeks, they can find money. And the millions for the sugar deal? Hey, it's out there apparently. Tax the other services. It's a freaking penny people. Do you have any idea how much you would have to spend in a year to even match the break you would get with a 25% reduction on your property taxes??? I'll gladly take a tax SWAP as opposed to a NEW tax any day.

And for those of you that keep saying how wonderful your ridiculous Amendment 1 is, try reading the paper. Millage rates are going up and your windfall is going to be gone.

Taxes are a necessary evil but relying on property taxes is backwards! But don't worry, as soon as SOH is finally brought down because of what your darling Charlie and Company did by putting in the discriminatory portability, you'll be crying for any other break you can get!!!!

[Omega83]

"It's a TAX CAP like SOH, but for non-homesteaded properties "

What's wrong with that? It's been because of the SOH cap that the tax burdens have been shifted to small businesses, newer homeowners and landlords...SOH is inherently unfair.

Haridopolos the Hypocrite. 3 state salaries and yet he claims to be the champion for the little people, guarding us against government.

Give me a break. The People want tax reform and tax relief and they want Amendment 5. Guess getting rid of the ridiculous tax exemptions might somehow cut into one of Mikey's 3 tax funded salaries?

Tom are you back working in the Senate yet? How's Webster doing these days?

[Vote NO on 5!!!]

10:41 SOH is not unfair. Owners of businesses get SOH too - ON THEIR HOMES. Why should we give them another tax break on their business property? That's corporate welfare and just adds to their profit. Waaa! What about me? I don't own a business, but I want to avoid paying taxes too! Waaaaaaa!

We already can't balance our budget. this is no climate to promote even more tax giveaways, just to try to secure votes for the irresponsible GOP. Beleive me, we haven't even begun to see the shortfalls that will result from previous cuts.

And tom must be right. Realtors absolutely would not be supporting this if they weren't exempt, or have that loophole in place that can be opened for a future exemption. Sales tax revenue is mostly imaginary. Wake Up - Republicans are ruining our state.

Vote NO on 5!!!

YES on 5!!

Homeowners will get around 25% SAVINGS ON THEIR PROPERTY TAXES

latest poll shows 67% want property tax reduction and will vote yes on 5! Before this is all over it will have 80% yes vote!

[Sick of Selfish GOP Tax Cuts for the Rich]

Problem Solved (3:42 and 5:39) has been drinking the TaxWatch Big Sugar flavored Kool-Aid if he thinks this will get 80% I heard about 50 - well short.

Ha, who would take anything lil Hari has to say seriously ?

[cpaVIIcaps]

Can a city with no accountability get bond financing these days? A city where red ink is the product of choice? Where dumb politicians have taken a solid community and turned it into a shambles in less than 3 years? Surfside had a 13 million dollar surplus reserve. Stable town. Balanced budgets. Savings for emergencies. Savings for future projects. Major improvements done without debt and without tax increases. That was 1992 - 2006. Then Mr. Charles Burkett and Mr. Howie Weinberg and Mr. Marq Imberman and Mr. Steven Levine were elected to the Surfside Town Commission. Now in 2008 half of the savings reserve has been squandered, down the drain with nothing to show for it. Where did it go? The town had bigger annual budgets in these last two years than ever in any two years ever and in addition to the fattest annual budgets it also mismanaged itself into wasting away half of its long saved reserves! Red ink in Surfside is becoming a tidal wave. Taxpayers deserve an investigation and audit. Who is getting all that money? Where has it gone? Meanwhile Mr. Burkett plans to run for Florida State office, Mr. Weinberg and Mr. Imberman plan to run for Mayor of Surfside, and Mr. Levine plans to run for Judge. What is going on??? Fact vs. the Fiction of Burkett/Weinberg/Imberman/Levine. Will bond underwriters or state officials or ethics investigators get to the whole story of this fiasco?

What is the political affiliation of these guys?

[poboy willie]

as a voter i will approve and vote for *any* tax cut possible... it's my money, not yours and not the government's! i do support paying taxes for *basic* needs, not redistribution of wealth (or in the case of Pinellas County, free dental care for the homeless)

What liars. So many questions about Surfside, so few answers being given.
Why?
Why did Mayor Burkett and Commissioners Weinberg, Levine and Imberman promise so many things that they never intended to deliver?
Why did they lie about other people?
Why did they disgrace their own positions?
Why did they vote for the fattest budget in the town's history?
Why have they spent the Town into a financial hole?
Why did they waste the Town's hard earned savings?
Why did they put the taxpayers in a position of debt, even looming bankruptcy?
Why did they sell out to developers?
Why did they pass a zoning code that makes big profits for their buddies while sending the Town into a nosedive of overdevelopment?
Why have they let the Town rot and let its properties and public areas become so awfully run down?
Why have they misused public money?
Why have they paid themselves so many thousands of dollars when it is so illegal to do that?
Why have they paid more than ever in history to lawyers who will try to shield them from personal liability with public dollars?
Why do they think they will get away with all this?
Why indeed.