Opinion: McKay's plan to reform taxes makes sense

The sales tax reform proposed by Sen. John McKay makes very good sense, and because it makes sense ensures that it has little chance of winning support from our Florida Legislature and its attendant lobbyists. Why? Because our Legislature is packed with elected lawyers and the lobbyists who represent two selfish and uncaring professions: law and accounting.

Who uses lawyers? Not the poor who cannot afford high fees and depend on court-appointed counsel. Who uses accountants? Not the poor who have their taxes deducted by their employer. Who uses these professions? The affluent who have disposable income and disposable legal problems. Who can best afford to pay a sales tax for these services? Why the affluent. Who benefits most from the proposed sales tax reduction from 6 percent to 4 percent? Of course, it's the poor and poorly paid. Which group includes the majority of Floridians? Naturally, the poor and poorly paid citizens.

It will be interesting to hear the convoluted and mind-boggling arguments that will be advanced by the lawyers, accountants and lawyerly members of the Legislature defending the status quo.
-- John Christy Clement, Tierra Verde

An unwise shift in the tax burden

I'm beginning to wonder about our Tallahassee politicians. A case in point is the Machiavellian solution proposed by Senate President John McKay, R-Bradenton, to solve the state's financial shortfall. Unfortunately, McKay's solution "recreates" the 1987 tax on services, an equally duplicitous proposal that would shift taxes away from tourists and other places where we've been able to export taxes, and puts it squarely on the backs of Floridians and Florida businesses.

Since the days of Henry Flagler, Florida's subtropical winters and sun drenched beaches have lured tourists like beckoning sirens. Regretfully, America's Sept. 11 tragedy underscored the vulnerability of our tourism industry. However, the initial shock seems to have subsided. Clearly, Florida's economy and government are alive and well.

Floridians have financially benefited from the tourism industry. Their revenues have helped to keep the sales tax rate comparatively low, abated the need for a state income tax, and allowed the state to exempt a sizeable number of the goods and services. That is until now.

Enter Senate President McKay and his draconian proposal to shift the cost of government in Florida from the positive impacts of visiting tourists to our residents -- both year-round and seasonal. His plan does so by repealing the majority of exemptions to the state sales tax, thus creating a flurry of new taxes, most of which will either be paid by taxpayers or passed on to consumers in the form of price increases.

Sen. McKay's proposal places the question on the ballot for voters to decide. To make it enticing, he places the proverbial carrot before the voters by promising a reduction in the 6 percent state sales tax rate to 4 percent. Sounds great, until we begin feeling the pinch of lost savings enjoyed with these exemptions. Under this cunning scenario, the tax burden shifts from tourists (paying a sizeable chunk of our sales taxes) to Florida residents.

Most folks I know enjoy the relative tax haven that our state offers. And most would be reluctant to support a shift in the tax burden from tourists to residents. Hopefully the members of the state Legislature will listen to their constituents and reject McKay's effort to place a higher tax burden on the very people he supposedly represents.
-- Tom D'Andrea, Punta Gorda

Tune out the media millionaires

Re: Sen. McKay's tax reform proposal.

Orwell's "newspeak" is alive and well long after 1984. The Florida Association of Broadcasters and their allies continue to sup at the public trough of tax exemptions while the citizens who own the public airways provide the money from meagre income via sales taxes.

Each radio and TV set comes with controls. I recommend a quick push of the off or mute button when media millionaires attempt to tell us that a reduction of taxation is an increase. If elected representatives such as House Speaker Tom Feeney continue to protect their fundraising for higher office aspirations at the expense of the voters, can there be a more reasonable response than to throw the rascals out?
-- Robert G. McEwen, Indian Shores

Beware 'tax increase' rhetoric

Re: McKay seeks support for plan to overhaul sales tax, Jan. 8.

It is already known that government of Florida is low on cash due to the recession and the Sept. 11 tragedy, both of which have affected Florida tourism.

To solve this problem, state Senate President John McKay has proposed to reduce sales tax exemptions that now exist on a lot of business and at the same reduce the sales tax we pay to 4 percent. Tax exemptions will stay on prescription drugs and food. This sounds good to me. Our tax system does need to be revamped. Critics of this proposal, which consist of special interest groups and lobbyists, are against it. Their line is that this is "a tax increase."

Let's not be scared, fooled, confused or mislead by the rhetoric of a "tax increase."
-- V. Paradis, Seminole

Our irresponsible lawmakers

Re: Do the math, editorial, Jan. 9.

This editorial should have been at the top of the front page.

Florida, sooner rather than later, will face a fiscal crisis caused by too much dependence on income from tourists and too little income from the broad business community.

The recent special session in Tallahassee was sad. Our lawmakers are irresponsible and rarely act with the best interests of the citizens they allegedly represent. Is there any chance they will ever come to their senses?
-- Russell Koehring, Oldsmar

It's patriotic to pay taxes

Re: An antitax spin on tax reform plan, Dec. 29, and Lobbyists plan war on tax idea, Dec. 28, by Steve Bousquet.

In the motion picture The American President, Annette Bening's character, Sydney, tells the president, "I make more money than you, Mr. President." It is a sad state of affairs when a lobbyist can make more money than the president of the United States. I have no idea about how much money successful lobbyists make but judging by the results they get, with our Legislature at least, they really must command a hefty sum.

I am bracing myself to start reading about the war the lobbyists are preparing to mount against Sen. John McKay's tax-reform proposal. I cannot conceive how a bunch of lobbyists could have the power to dictate which laws are passed and which bills are killed. Of course, I understand that money talks.

I am 80 years old, came to the States right after the end of World War II and love this land deeply. I have never complained about paying taxes. I think it is patriotic to pay taxes. If we compare ourselves to the Europeans, our tax system is a real heaven.

Now that patriotism is re-emerging after the atrocious terrorist attacks, would it not be more patriotic that those who enjoy so many tax exemptions make a little sacrifice for the good of the state? I support McKay's proposal 100 percent, and I am sure that many of my fellow Floridians feel the same way.

I read the St. Petersburg Times every morning on the Internet. I consider your coverage of the issues that matter to our state extremely good -- in fact, excellent.
-- Doreya F. Batista, Sebastian

Business will resist immigration reform

Re: Let's be clear about whom we want to let into the country, by George J. Borjas, Jan. 5

Professor Borjas' prescription for immigration reform, in my humble opinion, ranks alongside world peace and the water-powered internal combustion engine as one of those proverbial "great ideas that will never happen."

For years, corporate America has fielded an army of uneducated immigrant drones from (mostly) Central America, the Caribbean and Asia to perform tasks under working conditions that most native-born Americans would (rightly) find anathema: 16-hour workdays, wages of $5 a day (if they're lucky); no pensions, health insurance or any other benefits to speak of; backbreakingly unsafe work environments, etc.

They perform tasks as varied as making circuit boards in Silicon Valley, harvesting sugar cane, citrus and vegetables right here in Florida, and manufacturing textiles outside Los Angeles.Corporate America is loathe to change its plantation-era labor practices vis a vis certain classes of immigrants; they have an army of lobbyists in Washington who are poised to do battle with those who would challenge the status quo. Those who would seek to change our nation's immigration policies will find themselves facing powerful and entrenched opposition. Corporate America will not give up its practice of fielding -- for all intents and purposes -- immigrant slave labor without a long, costly and bitter fight.
-- Elizabeth Hoff, St. Petersburg

Tough rules aren't enforced

Re: Canada, you're one tough cookie, Jan. 5.

I was born in Canada a little over 70 years ago and except for the last dozen or so winters that I have spent in Florida, I have lived there all my life. I am happy and proud to be a Canadian, it is a good country in which to live. Thus, I read with interest this article regarding the rules for immigration to Canada. They may be on the books but they are not applied. If they were, then more than half of the immigrants who have arrived since the end of World War II would not have been admitted. Our government seems more interested in quantity than quality.

I am going to send a copy of the article to our prime minister and his Cabinet; I think it is time they knew about these rules and had them enforced.
-- Donald Blair, Palm Harbor

A perceptive film critic

I am writing to express my appreciation for the work of Billy Norris, your Xpress film critic. This young man, at only 14, has a wonderful way of expressing himself and a sharp, perceptive eye for film. I take much delight in reading his reviews and hope he continues in this field so I can enjoying reading his reviews for years to come.
-- Marcia Spakoski, Gulfport

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