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Politics
House panel votes to roll back property tax to 2001
By ALEX LEARY
Published March 17, 2007
TALLAHASSEE - Rejecting opposition from local governments, House Republicans on Friday voted to slash billions in property tax revenue from city and county budgets. The proposal, which is only the first step toward making the cuts a reality, calls for rolling back property taxes to 2001 levels, with adjustments for inflation, population growth and a cap on future revenue collection. It would shave an estimated 18 percent off the average property tax bill. But it would also strip $5.5-billion from local coffers and limit future spending. Friday's vote by the House Policy and Budget comes as the Legislature and governor try to find a solution to the property tax problem. The Senate has yet to fully develop its proposals. The 24-7 vote sent the bill to the full House. Three Democrats joined Republicans in support of the legislation (HB 7001). "It didn't have to be this way," said Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale. "Local government could have recognized the windfall revenues generated by the real estate boom and it could have been returned to taxpayers long ago." Republicans voted to leave three groups out of the property tax rollback: 30 rural counties with narrow tax bases, tax-supported public hospitals and child services councils, including one in Pinellas County. Those exemptions are about $300-million. The proposed rollback is one of two plans House Republicans want to accomplish. Their top goal is a constitutional amendment to replace all property taxes on homesteads with a 2.5 percent increase in the sales tax. That plan would incorporate the rollback but it would begin at 2003 levels, saving local governments millions. And the sales tax revenue would also be funneled back to cities and counties. "It's going to be ugly," said Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard, who testified before the House last week. Clearwater officials estimate up to a $20-million loss. "We're going to have to look at closures of libraries, rec centers. We'll even have to review our community policing program," Hibbard said. Staff writer Mike Donila contributed to this report.
[Last modified March 16, 2007, 22:50:57]
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by Edward
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03/26/07 05:09 PM
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The City commissioner of pompano beach have a lobbiest and a few weeks ago the now Mayer of pompano suggested to hire the lobbiest out of our tax money to fight the roll back to 2001 and the 2.5 sales tax. The commissioner's are working againts us.
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by Edward
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03/26/07 05:06 PM
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Pompano Beach City commissioner budget meeting. One of the commissioner told he understands that there is no cap for commercial properties.that why your increase is up by 130% 2007. He also stated that I am screwed and get us to it. Its not the end.
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by Andy
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03/19/07 08:14 AM
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Like to see how much of the windfall property tax revenue (2000-2005) was spent on schools, teacher salaries, libraries, and rec centers those that they can't fund with the cut back. Who in contry gov't really got the windfall dollars?
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by John J
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03/18/07 03:11 AM
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What good is parks, libraries, police if nobody is left to use the services?
Lets switch to sales tax immediately!!
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by bird
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03/17/07 09:03 PM
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Real estate taxes are dwarfed when compared to insurance rates. We only are getting a pittance in relief so far. Is this a distraction?
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by Kim
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03/17/07 04:08 PM
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The fat lady isn't finished singing. In the end it has to be voted on. Look at Pinellas, they voted to raise taxes over and over again!!!!!
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by guy
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03/17/07 02:31 PM
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Harry- renters pay taxes through increasing rent. My only problem with this is that st. gvnt has been cutting funds from local gvnt for awhile while voting for unfunded mandates. I do think that the local gvnt have been irresponsible.
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by Jane
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03/17/07 01:58 PM
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PLEASE call your SENATORS and tell them you support the HOUSE plan for no property taxes in exchange for 2.5 cents. Senators don't want this plan because THEY did not think of it!Remind them that citizens don't CARE who thought of it - just do it!!
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by Harry
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03/17/07 10:12 AM
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The idea that raising the sales tax to eliminate the homesteaded property tax is somehow regressive is ridiculous. People that are the so-called 'poorest' don't even own property and never have paid taxes in the first place- isn't that "regressive"?
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by CW
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03/17/07 10:07 AM
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These local officials who complain that they will need to close libraries, lay-off police, etc... I'd like to see one of them outline the increased services they provided while thier tax revenue was increasing by 50% from 2000-2005
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by JT
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03/17/07 09:09 AM
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Three Cheers for RUBIO&REPUBLICANS! Keep the pressure on and stop local Govt.from financially strangling people. Mayor Hibbard and the like are the problem not the solution.People struggling to maintain their families dont care about public spend cut
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by John
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03/17/07 08:28 AM
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This is a good start. You'll hear all the local politicinas moaning about losing money and cutting programs. So be it. Get creative, you'll find the money some where. Cut salaries.
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by Mustache Pete
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03/17/07 07:39 AM
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Proof that there is need for change at the local level.The "Windfall and Spend" Republicans stood in front of the cash machine as it spit out money. Once they got their hands on it,they became creative and the pork came rolling out.I'd like a refund.
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by Jacquie
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03/17/07 07:30 AM
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I still don't understand why we are not talking about reversing gov. Bush's tax cut on investments so we can restore some of the state support for schools, lower the need of local gov. for more funds.
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by Walter
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03/17/07 12:17 AM
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You can expect the doomsday wails from the local officials! These cuts are necessary before residents and businesses are chased out of florida.
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