Let's Make It A Standing Date

Check out the bold-faced announcement at the top of the right-hand column on this page: Starting Tuesday, May 1, I'll hold a regular weekly online chat here on TroxBlog to talk with readers about current events in Florida and the Tampa Bay area. At noon each Tuesday I'll put up a new post with the headline, "The Chat Is Open," and we'll use the "Comments" link of that post to do our talking. Just keep refreshing the comments page for the latest.

Here are the transcripts of the two chats we've had so far:

April 24 chat

March 27 chat

Comments

[Dennis Fieber]

responding to "Hey, Let's tax that other guy instead"

First, let me say that I really enjoy your take on things. Having yourself, Blumner,Gailey and Maxwell to read is what makes the St. Pete Times great. But on to the comments.

When will you and our elected officials have the guts to say it's time to get rid of the "Save Our Homes" amendment. It's not fair and in my humble opinion not legal. Only by taxing all equally can we really solve this problem.

Back to the sales tax. By my calculations, if a family has 18K per year in net tank home pay, after reasonable costs for rent, utilities, and food are deducted a balance of $3,800.00 remains. the additional 2-1/2% would only be $95.00 in addiational taxes per year. I feel this would not be a hardship for anyone.

Again, thanks for all the great articles. I'm very happy Bill Maxwell is back and miss Elisha Gosier.

Best regards

Dennis

[Don May]

Consider the collateral benefits of the House proposal to eliminate property taxes. The buying and selling of real estate represents twenty four percent of the Gross Domestic Product. There is little doubt that the House bill will increase home ownership in our state causing a considerable increase in our G.D.P. Many working class Floridians that can't afford a house will be able to if they must only make the loan and insurance payments. Think of all the "Affordable Housing" issues that would be solved. New home owners spend. (think sales tax) They buy curtains, paint, new appliances etc. etc. Florida would be a very attractive state to own a home in. Corporations would see it as a benefit to move to, or stay in, Florida. Lets not forget that the Federal government will partially fund any increase in sales tax. Floridians can deduct sale tax on their Federal return. The old saying, "So goes housing, so goes the economy" has never been more important in florida then right now!

[Charles]

Hey windbag, your blog is useless if you selectively delete posts.

[Howard Troxler]

Charles -- I haven't deleted anything lately except a guy's advertisement for lasik surgery -- maybe somebody else did if there was a comment that violated the policies on the left. I even left up your comment on the other thread referring to me as, let's see, a "dolt," a "fat windbag," and a "slob." If you posted a comment that was deleted then e-mail it to me at troxblog@tampabay.com & let's see what might have caused it.

Love,
A Fat, Slobbish, Windbag-y Dolt