Realtors tout 'Amendment 1 on steroids'

The Florida Association of Realtors this morning launched its campaign to pass Amendment 5, touting deep property tax cuts while accusing critics of spreading "myths" about the plan.

"This is the biggest form of major property tax relief the citizens of Florida will have ever seen," said Rep. Frank Attkisson, R-Kissimmee, who joined the Realtors in Tallahassee.

"This is Amendment 1 on steroids," added the Realtors' John Sebree, standing before a banner bearing the address of the group's new Web site, giveme5florida.com. (photo: Sebree looks on as Attkisson takes a question from a reporter)

The plan calls for eliminating most school property taxes for a savings of at least 25 percent and as much as 40 percent. For Realtors, that could move a lot of houses and it's why they have pledged at least $1-million to passing the amendment in November.

The Legislature would have to come up with $9 billion or more for schools by increasing the sales tax 1-cent and picking from a menu of other options. The menu includes eliminating current sales tax exemptions, creating new revenue and cutting other areas of the state budget

Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, who joined the news conference by phone, acknowledged a tax on services is not politically feasible. "I will work hard in the Legislature to make sure that we never ever never see a sales tax on services," said Rouson, who was a member of the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission that crafted the proposal.

The funding uncertainty scares school officials and has given ammunition to Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, and others who are fighting the proposal.

Realtors blasted opponents for spreading "myths" including that the sales tax will hurt the poor more than others.

"Necessary goods and services are exempt from a higher sales tax," the Web site states. "These include unprepared food, rent, heating fuel, medicine, electricity and health care services."

Comments

[Annie Oakley]

Bad, bad, bad idea. Schools will be bankrupt.

[Vote NO on 5!!!]

Talk about misinformation. Amendment 1 at least was a tax break for real Florida homowners, even if it was bad timimg.

Amendment 5 gives SOH to flippers, developers, out-fo-state carpetbaggers, and big business. It trades stable property tax for questionable sales tax. Plus Republicans have already granted a loophole to realtors, a tacit move that promises other big GOP contributors will qualify for sales tax "services" exemptions as well.

Save our public schools. Vote NO on 5 AND (this is important) ALL FUTURE GOP SPONORED TAX SCAMS!

[Wrong remedy]

The schools in Florida are near the bottom of the barrel already because our Republican legislature has no foresight.

Our state congressmen should remember that when they are old and gray, it might be helpful to them, on a personal level, if the recent graduate of the Florida school system is able to understand and comprehend the metric number designations on their hospital IV's.

[Developers/Realtors Relief Bill]

Republicans ran everything...
Everything is broken...
Any questions?

We don't need steroids. We need to get rid of the tax-cutting cancer that is making us a ghetto state. When you vote a tax cut for yourself, you are taking money out of your kids' pockets. Invest in Florida's future. Vote NO on 5!!!

Get over your doom and gloom people. Throwing millions after millions of dollars at education in this state HASN'T HELPED ONE DAMN BIT. I, along with millions of others, will be voting a BIG FAT YES for Amendment 5. Maybe the dumb@$$e$ that represent us need to put forth some real effort in solving the problems in this state.

School funding, want more school funding then contribute your money to the school of your choice don't just try to TAKE mine for you do what you want with it. The taxpayers are not capable of raising enough money to statisfy the teachers union, education bureaucrats and freeloaders.

Actually maybe we need to end public school funding altogether so there would be one less thing for a certain element of society to whine about. Then the non-contributing redistribution specialists and freeloaders could learn what it is like to have to actually do something productive, get along and work with others. When they could no longer complain about and blame others for their plight because the funding and results become a direct reflection of their values, contributions and leadership perhaps some of them would recognize the reality of the situation and who really wants to make the miserable failure victim hole large enough for everyone to fit in.

Stop blaming others and funding for your lack of discipline, focus and effort. Suck it up like an AMERICAN should, be resourceful, determined and take advantage of living in the land of 2nd chances so that you are not doomed to the fate you have previously chosen.

[Vote NO on Amendment 5 Tax Scam]

12:58 Another "my rich kids are genetically superior" rant from the willfully ignorant. I guess it soothes their conscience to have a way to rationalize their selfishness. Quit whining and pay your taxes. I want every last tax dollar collected to go to the PUBLIC good, and not to subsidize some voucher program to send rich kids to political and religious indoctrination. This is just another scam by Republicans to help their rich contributors avoid paying tax. Guess who will be in charge of handing out exemptions if this turkey ever passes?

[joe schmo]

Fantastic plan!

A5 is good for real estate but also will stimulate the local economy through lower rents and prices of retail goods as well.

A percentage based property tax is the best long range fix, but A5 does begin to correct the inequalities that A1 (which was a terrible plan) created for landlords and business owners.

And, at only one percent, the sales tax increase should not negatively impact tourism.

Brilliant!

I'm in. Vote YES.

Vote NO on 5!!!

...is a long term SOH'er who is afraid they will end up having to pay their fair share.

[Come to Floriduh! The Retarded State]

Floriduh should do away with High School. Look at how much money we would save.

Another idea for a license plate...
Come to Floriduh! The Retarded State

I get so sick of hearing Dems grip about Education....how long have the Repubs been in charge in Tally? 12 years???? Were we up on top and as soon as the Repubs took over, the education funding/system went to the toilet?

That is NO where the case- it is just political rhetoric and I am tired of hearing it. Sure we can improve the education and in fact we have....we are so low on the ratings BECAUSE of 130 years of Democrat rule not the 12 years of Republican control- read some history...

Whaaaaaaa, I quit my job, took a test, made a few bucks, and got screwed when the bubble burst… wahahahahahha… someone bail me out… whaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…

Say no to Amendment 5… AND FIX THE DAMN INSURANCE PROBLEM, YOU FREAKING USELESS HACKS!

It is true that the worst two funding years for public education in the recent (since reconstruction) history of the state have come in each of the last two years. It is also true that any consideration of meeting the established needs for public education was off the table. Finally, the 12 years of Republican control of Tallahassee will be coming to an end in about 2 1/2 more years at the current pace of erosion. So, get back to work House staffer. You wouldn't be so sick if you didn't spend all of your taxpayer funded time reading the blogs.

[Realtors = Lowlifes]

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Exactly, 1:48... Waaaaaaa! I was against this until they cut a loophole for us realtors; now all the sudden I'm for it. Waaaaaa! I whined and waved my $1 mil and a magic exemption appeared. Waaaaaaaaaaa!

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Exactly, 1:48... Waaaaaaa! I was against this until they cut a loophole for us realtors; now all the sudden I'm for it. Waaaaaa! I whined and waved my $1 mil and a magic exemption appeared. Waaaaaaaaaaa!

1:21 is right. Those screaming the loudest AGAINST amendment 5 are those long term soh'ers that might have to pay a little more. Good. It's time you contributed. After all, you still use the roads and all the other amenities. Unless you're going to go and live on a raft out in the middle of the gulf of mexico.

[That NeoCon Tallahassee Staffer]

1:59
You are correct. The reason that staffer posts so much on this blog is because he knows that he will soon be in the unemployment line with a bunch of other NeoCon Tallahassee Republicans.

[Dan]

To anyone who would say no to any property tax break I have to ask what the heck is wrong with you? If the tax system is not changed it will go on like this for ever. Maybe you have children or grand children who someday would want to own a home. High taxes could prevent it. High property taxes chase out business. Maybe you are a lucky person and don't need an income but there are thousands of people who have to work. Would you want them on welfare instead? If Florida continues down the present road we'll all pay much more in the future for those who aren't able to work and lose of business. Think of the society as a whole not from just you small world. Maybe you have owned your home for many years and your tax is low because of save our homes, mine is, but the time will come when the state won't be able to squeeze any more out of landlords or business then where do you think the taxes will come from next? YOU with the usual Florida politics your save our home will be gone someday so the state can get their money. Do you really think you can be protected much longer? We need large tax breaks and jobs now. The population of Florida in not about to shrink over night. People need jobs homes and education none of which will happen as long as the state is only supported by property tax. Fix the tax problem now and then we can all get together on the insurance issue. Otherwise we'll all still have an insurance problem and added to that higher property tax. Then what?

Great idea. Vote yes on 5.

[Vote NO on 5!!!]

Thanks Dan; great arguments for not lowering Property Taxes. To do so would be, as you suggest, irresponsible.

[No to SOH for Flippers, Developers, and Big Business.]

SOH applies to every homeowner equally. 1 household = 1 SOH tax cap. The intent is to protect families from higher taxes, NOT TO PAD THE BOTTOM LINES OF BUSINESSES. So quit crying about equality - you get SOH just like me on your primary residence.

Vote NO on 5!!!

Eliminate all taxes. Survival of the fittest. Thunderdome rules!

Vote yes, vote yes, vote yes. If the end result isn't what the legislature wants, maybe they'll actually get their butts to work and come up with real workable solutions for Florida with respect to taxes, budgets, insurance, etc. Until then, let them all cry about how they can't make it. Exactly WHAT has everyone - schools, local governments, state governments etc, - been DOING with the monies that you have been flooded with over the past few years??? Most of us normal people have to make do with what we have coming in - you should be required to do the same.

Hey 2:37 - not everybody who doesn't have the sweetest deal is a developer, flipper or investor. A lot of them are real people who just want to buy a freakin' home.

Whaaaaaaa... I made a bad real estate investment cause I saw someone else do it... whaaaaaaaaa... some one bail me out so I can keep my hot blonde wife who married me bacause she loves me... wahahahahahahaaaa...

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

Ready to get screwed again?

Hahahahahahaaaa...

2:42 why do you want to take SOH away from those "real people who just want to own a home." Why do you want to give SOH to flippers, developers, and Big Business, so that we have to raise taxes on those "real people" to make ends meet? You Republican tax cuters are trying to play bothe ends against the middle class, and it just doesn't add up.

Here's a much simpler explanation: Republicans want to destroy local government so that their big business pals can run roughshod over regulators and pollute and destroy at will.

Problem Solved!

2:48 - I was not the person who said take it away. My point was to the person above who implies that only those that are investors, flippers and developers want to do away with it. If you were one of those people who bought a home in a neighborhood of an identical home to someone who was paying 1/4 of the property taxes you are, you would feel the way alot of people do. And don't give me that crap about being entitled to it because you lived there longer. You also reaped the benefits of the results of those taxes over the years as well so spare me the attempt at justification. Property taxes should be assessed EXACTLY THE SAME FOR ALL RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. NO EXCEPTIONS OTHER THAN SENIOR CITIZENS - WITH PROOF OF AGE AND OWNERSHIP OF SAID RESIDENCE. PERIOD.

[Deb]

Here we go again. The right-wing values crowd is out carping about their taxes being used to educate people. Where are they when their GOP leaders do a tax give-away to pay for some sports stadium? No where to be heard. That's always fine and dandy.

Did they ever stop to think where they or their parents would be without public education. They wax on about a private education system. But no where in the world has that ever provided education to the society as a whole, or been a benefit to society. It always has, and always will, only serve to benefit the rich or politically connected, and leave everyone else uneducated.

But then that's what the GOP elite count on. An uneducated public makes for the best servants.

[Tim]

If this is put to a vote, it will probably pass because of all the morons and seniors here. All they see is “lower your property taxes” and they jump for it. Hopefully the same idiots that voted for amendment 1 have finally realized how they were dumped and will not vote for this. Oh, and buy the way, Florida schools are not ranked at the bottom of schools in the U.S.anymore. They are in the middle of the pack now. Also, say no to vouchers until the private schools come under the same scrutiny (FCAT) as the public schools are. Heck, private school teachers don’t even have to be certified or have a college degree. Did you know that?

[tim]

If this is put to a vote, it will probably pass because of all the morons and seniors here. All they see is “lower your property taxes” and they jump for it. Hopefully the same idiots that voted for amendment 1 have finally realized how they were dumped and will not vote for this. Oh, and buy the way, Florida schools are not ranked at the bottom of schools in the U.S.anymore. They are in the middle of the pack now. Also, say no to vouchers until the private schools come under the same scrutiny (FCAT) as the public schools are. Heck, private school teachers don’t even have to be certified or have a college degree. Did you know that?

I'm voting yes, I want to be able to own a home in Florida and the way taxes are currently levied that is not possible. I hope that all of the SOH'ers out there plan on financing their children's first homes because they won't be able to afford one with the tax bill they will have to pay just because you are enjoying paying unfair taxes.

[Dawn]

Don't count on my vote, I can't afford anymore of the governments so-called help.

Vote yes for 5!!

Hey Timmy - let's see those statistics. Where's the website that documents Florida's supposed middle of the pack ranking???

3:11 - right on.

2:53 Conversely, we've paid for our schools and roads and services, now you need to pay for yours. You see, when I moved into my new SOH home ten years ago, I paid 100% value taxes just like you are now and Joe Schmoe a few subdivision over was was getting his big SOH tax break because he'd been there longer than me. Oh well. I decided I wanted roads and schools and especially government that would make sure future residents like you didn't try to skip out on your responsibilities. So I elected people that would defend our right to tax you and make you pay your share and that's how we got the SOH we have.
So buck up and pay your share and quit trying to legalize your right to be a parasite. It's fair and equal and you'll get your turn on top if you're not a flipper or developer (or Realtor - most likely) which I suspect you are.

One final question - when I signed my mortgage, I could look and see exactly how much my property taxes would be, and I bought my home based on what I could afford. As a result, I have been able to weather the economic downturns and continue to make payment without asking the government to give me a handout. Has that changed somehow for this recent generation of homebuyer?

3:19 - Our current young generation is the most pampered and spoiled generation ever. And I can assure you that they won't be able to afford and/or make it in a state like Florida. Low and/or stagnant wages, ridiculously high property taxes, insurance rates out of control etc. Not that anyone cares right now but the fact remains that without young people staying, businesses will eventually go where they can get the best employees. Florida is in a downward spiral and there is apparently nothing that our representatives want to do about it.

If I were to purchase a home tomorrow I do not know what my taxes will be because they are being assessed at a much lower level than what the house is truly worth. So they may be $1,000 today but next year they could go up to $6,000 and that is no joke.

I really want to see how everyone's child is going to afford to continue to live in this state.

Vote yes on 5!

[joe schmo]

A5 is much better for the overall population than A1 was, so those of you disgruntled over A1 really need to think about this. A5 lowers EVERYONE's taxes and stimulates the local economy to boot. Why wouldn't you vote for that?

And, to group 'flippers, developers, and big business' as the investors that will benefit from A5 is very short sighted. There are many small business owners and landlords that will reap tremendous benefits from A5 and be able to pass that on to renters, etc. It's a very GOOD cycle to begin and a great benefit to owners and renters alike.

If I were to purchase a home tomorrow I do not even know whether my neighborhood will be able to afford police and fire protection, my kids will have a school to go to, or even whether or not my house was built on a toxic landfill, all because Republics can't get enough of tax cuts for their wealthy campaign contributors and the destruction of local governments.

I don't even know what my house is truly worth cause I got a sub-prime mortgage and bought the home from a flipper then some Title Company got me a loan for much more than the home's value and pocketed the difference.

I really want to see how everyone's child is going to afford to continue to live in this state. I mean, if I keep on voting tax cuts for myself, there won't be anything left to invest in our state's future.

Vote yes on 5! - right? Wait, I'm not sure. Gulp Gulp Gulp! OH YEAH, I'm feeling better now. Gimme Gimme Gimme.

[Steve]

Yet another bailout disguised as something that will help the general public. There is no question this is a Realtor's bailout plan.

It appears as if it's another attempt at a "Realtor Relief Bill."

[Omega83]

Amendment 5 will only work if it substantially induces the real estate market - I mean REALLY brings it back to life.

Unfortunately, the problems facing Florida's market - just like the other 49 states - are far more than simply high property taxes (high being relative - taxes in Florida are a joke compared to many other states.)

Would you rather have more money in your pocket because of less taxes paid - or more money in your pocket because of substantially higher wages? It's a quesiton of priorities.

One is a quick-fix, the other requires long-term investment (infrastructure, education, economic development, etc.) and patience.

A5 is risky, because while it may help the short term pain, the types of things the real estate market needs for long term success (infrastructure, education, economic development, etc.) will get cut...

If the schools truly suffer, the Realtors are simply cutting off the nose to spite the face. Who wants to buy a home near a crappy school?

Just things to consider...

Great web site! For the life of me I cannot think of shy someone would vote no?? Oh yes, the school unions-- "put the money in my pocket first so I can get a cut before it goes to the teachers". I am a teacher I am voting YES for amendment 5-- I will get much more money in my pocket by paying lower taxes! Teachers are for this-- just can't say it to the union!

[Manuel]

If the realtors wants to do something creative they need to create a fund for the foreclosure mess that has been created and not fool the public "again" and siphon the only reliable source of revenue cities have to fund services and infrastructure. What we should have is an income tax for estates worth over a million and create tax breaks on property taxes for families that make under 50k a year

[Fossils speak]

Right! Who wants to buy a home near a crappy school...No one!

Except for the selfish old fossils that care only for themselves because "Their" children are grown and gone.

Rouson= Republican plant

What a great idea. We need relief

4 votes for YES from us.