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Politics
House GOP tax rollback plan evolves
By ALEX LEARY
Published March 15, 2007
TALLAHASSEE - Facing intense criticism over their plan to cut property taxes, House Republicans have agreed to considerable changes to lessen the impact on local governments. A proposed rollback of property tax levels to the 2003-04 fiscal year is three years later than originally proposed. That could save counties millions. Specifics were not available Wednesday afternoon. Also, some rural counties would be exempt from the rollback, as would hospital taxing districts - resolving concerns the proposal would have devastating effects on small counties and some agencies. The changes affect legislation that would amend the state constitution. The House remains firm in its desire to replace all property taxes on homesteads in favor of a 2.5 percent sales tax increase. But local governments have lambasted the rollback proposal, which also includes a cap on future revenue growth. On Wednesday, House Speaker Marco Rubio heard from a large contingent from Miami-Dade. Another criticism being addressed is the lack of relief for renters. Rubio and other leaders said they are open to help property owners that meet fair rent standards. "At the end of the day, we're trying to provide meaningful relief," said Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale. "And if there's another way to get there and stay in that box, we're open."
[Last modified March 15, 2007, 01:58:55]
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by Tom
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03/16/07 04:13 PM
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I spend $4000 a year on property taxes. I would have to buy $40000 worth of goods and services a year to equal that in sales tax. I don't believe I will be anywhere near that in purchases.
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by Jon
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03/16/07 01:55 PM
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I cant fathom why Earl is concerned about a multi million dollar estate not paying property taxes. You'd cut your nose off to spite your face?
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by Sam
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03/16/07 03:07 AM
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Marco Rubio's plan of a 2.5% sales tax increase instead of a property tax sucks. In Pinellas county that would mean an almost 10% sales tax(now that the Penny for Pinellas was passed).
Just roll back property taxes & increase the homestead exemption.
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by Paul
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03/15/07 09:15 PM
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I was hoping that the House would start coming to their senses and look at the issue from a broader and more realistic perspective. Still need to apply more of the sales tax on services and less on goods - fairer to one and all.
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by Jean
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03/15/07 07:25 PM
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I thought Marco Rubio was serious in his plan to lower taxes - But he is a prime example of Politics as usual
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by John
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03/15/07 04:57 PM
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Cap spending then bring on the sales tax. Let those who can spend more, pay more and leave our homes alone. HA! Homes alone. Get it? Home Alone? No? Wow, tough crowd.
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by scott
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03/15/07 03:08 PM
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they should go to a sales tax. It would enable more peple to buy homes and it would be more fair.Who uses local services more, the resident with homestead exemption living here year round or the snow bird staying here 4 months a year paying full tax?
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by JT
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03/15/07 02:58 PM
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Stick to it Rubio. No property tax on homesteads would allow Florida's citizens to be economically free. Also, the freeloaders would learn that things weren't free all along just that the cost of their benefits were weighing others down.
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by Earl
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03/15/07 01:18 PM
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This Idea of no homestead Property tax would be a small benefit to me But a huge windfall for the muti million dollar homestead owner so I would have to say NO to that plan!!!
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by Mark
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03/15/07 10:50 AM
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The tax relief will be just like the insurance relief. The taxes have been raised 99% over the past 4 years and now they will reduce the tax by 3%. What a joke. The fact is the government will never give up tax revenue that they have recieved
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by Harry
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03/15/07 09:59 AM
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Okay, it's really simple- limit local-gov't spending with a cap, and also "cap out" the maximum that any one person or business pays. Everyone should pay their fare share & nothing more. Period! What's so hard about this? We're not a welfare state
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by Larry
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03/15/07 09:45 AM
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"Waffles" unable to take a stand and stay with, thereby allowing local govt. to continue to rape and pilliage the tax paying public!
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