Politics

Attack mailer targets Pinellas House Democrat

Rep. Heller says claims he voted no on the latest tax cut are misleading.

By ADAM C. SMITH
Published June 29, 2007

You know all that talk of bipartisan good feeling in Tallahassee? That was so last month.

Now the Florida GOP is opening fire on Democrats who opposed a proposed constitutional amendment revamping Florida's homestead exemption.

"TAXPAYER ALERT for Florida Homeowners: State Representative Bill Heller just voted NO to the largest tax cut plan in Florida's history, " blared a mailer sent to voters in the St. Petersburg Democrat's district. "When it comes time to vote for Bill Heller, you should vote too."

A longtime friend of Republican Gov. Charlie Crist's, Heller doesn't face election until November 2008, but was one of at least three Democrats targeted with the mailing by the Florida Republican Party. He called it a misleading attack. PDF: See brochure

"Sometimes the Republicans have had trouble telling the truth about me, " said Heller, who last year overcame a particularly negative campaign from Republican Angelo Cappelli. "I did not vote no on the tax cut. I did vote yes on the tax cut we could do, the tax cut we could implement immediately."

Heller voted for a $15-billion rollback of local property tax rates, but he voted against a constitutional amendment that would expand the existing homestead exemption.

Heller and every other Democrat opposed that proposal, estimated at $10-billion to $15-billion, saying it would dramatically cut school spending. But Democrats did vote to put the amendment proposal on the ballot so voters could decide in January.

"I don't think some of the Florida Republicans got the memo that acting like Karl Rove and Ann Coulter isn't necessarily the best way to endear themselves to Floridians, " said House Democratic leader Dan Gelber of Miami Beach. "The truth of the matter is, they put a lousy choice on the ballot."

Democrats, Gelber noted, supported every tax cut proposal anyone came up with except one that called for raising sales taxes and the one that called for cutting school funding by billions of dollars. Republicans insist they will adequately fund education.

Gelber said he knew of at least two other Democrats being targeted by similar mailers: Rep. Debbie Boyd of Newberry and Rep. Martin Kiar of Davie, who, like Heller, represent districts more competitive than many.

A Republican Party spokeswoman declined to comment on the mailers.

The Republican-controlled Legislature's tax proposal, which must get 60 percent support from voters to pass, has received tepid support even among some Republicans who wanted to see tax relief for nonhomesteaded properties and the ability for homeowners to keep their "Save Our Homes" tax cap if they move.

Heller said he also wanted broader tax relief and that most voters may wind up voting as he did. "Maybe there's some sense of fright on what they are presenting to the people and they're trying to displace blame on somebody else, " he said of the campaign mailer, which comes so early in an election cycle.

Times staff writer Alex Leary contributed to this report. Adam Smith can be reached at asmith@sptimes.com or 727893-8241.

[Last modified June 29, 2007, 13:32:14]