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Gubernatorial candidate: All's not fair in economy
Tom Gallagher offers fixes on issues such as lawsuits, Internet sales and property taxes.
By JAMES THORNER
Published January 28, 2006
TAMPA - For a speech laudatory of Florida's economy - lowest unemployment in 30 years, healthy budgets, growing population - state chief financial officer Tom Gallagher invested an awful lot of oratory on unfairness.
It's unfair that out-of-state businesses' Internet sales aren't taxed while in-state sales are.
Unfair that lawsuits drain the state's economy to the tune of $900 per person.
Unfair that the focus on high residential property taxes ignores the greater tax burden on businesses.
But Gallagher's running for governor, and his audience Friday afternoon was the upper echelons of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.
The state's Republican chief financial officer didn't make any direct pleas to the monied crowd for campaign dollars. But he spent ample time talking accomplishments - and what else he would do if elected chief executive in November.
"What I'm proudest of, we've done all this without an income tax," Gallagher said, citing upbeat economic statistics.
His suggestions to further improve the economy:
Rewrite laws to make it harder for trial lawyers to sue businesses and insurance companies, including limiting class-action suits to Florida residents. Gallagher said such suits often resemble blackmail.
Collect sales taxes on out-of-state Internet purchases to help "sticks and mortar" businesses in Florida, which are potentially losing billions of dollars in sales.
Gallagher pointed out that laws taxing mail-order purchases already are on the books, but they are almost universally ignored. "I'm not adding a tax," Gallagher said. "It's just a fairness factor."
Offer homeowners relief from high property taxes. Gallagher wasn't specific on how to do this, questioning the fairness of simply pushing the tax load on businesses' property.
The chamber of commerce labeled Gallagher's visit a public policy round table and avoided endorsements.
Chamber members said they hope to invite the other gubernatorial candidates: Republican Charlie Crist and Democrats Jim Davis and Rod Smith.
[Last modified January 28, 2006, 01:37:10]
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