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Voters, new tax cuts up to you
By CHARLIE CRIST, Special to the Times
Published September 2, 2007
Last year, I traveled across our great state listening to the people of Florida. I heard from men, women, young and old of the burden Florida's property taxes have on the American Dream. As your governor, I have made property tax relief a priority of my administration. Today, 18-million Floridians rely on my commitment to protecting their ability to achieve the American Dream. I want each and every one of you to know that we are working hard every day to do just that. We will not give up and we will not allow the burden of government spending to shatter that dream. Floridians across our state have received TRIM notices from their local property appraiser. Based on these estimates, some Floridians have experienced relief while others have expressed concern that their tax rate has not decreased. Help is on the way. Thanks to the tremendous work of the Florida Legislature, led by Senate President Ken Pruitt and House Speaker Marco Rubio, one of the greatest cries of the people of our state was heard this year and the work of providing property tax relief began. In June, they passed and I signed a two-part property tax cut package aimed at bringing the relief that Floridians need and deserve. The first part of this legislation rolls tax rates back to last year's levels - relief that many taxpayers will see this year. This rollback was just the first step. The final decision lies with the people of Florida. On Jan. 29, 2008, Floridians have the power to cut their taxes even more. Voters will be able to vote on a constitutional amendment that will affect their property taxes in 2008. Current Save Our Homes and $25,000 exemptions may be replaced with an exemption equal to 75 percent of the first $200,000 of the homes value. I am an optimist. In recent days, skepticism has begun to distract the focus at hand. Property taxes will drop, as long as the people exercise their right to vote on Jan. 29. Here in Tallahassee and around the state, we will continue to work hard every day. We will stand our ground and we will hold our resolve that Floridians need and deserve property tax relief. We will do our part and I encourage you to do yours by voting to cut your taxes on Jan. 29. Together, we can preserve the American Dream. Charlie Crist is governor of Florida.
[Last modified September 2, 2007, 00:41:01]
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Comments on this article
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by Joe
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09/07/07 05:17 AM
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polls show that the Super Amendment is within the margin of error on passing.
And the popular Gov Crist has not even start campaigning for it yet.
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by John
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09/07/07 05:14 AM
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Chris, forget about scrapping Save-Our-Homes. That exemption will never get repealed unless they scrap property taxes altogether. That is the plan I will be supporting.
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by Jullio
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09/06/07 03:10 PM
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If the state removed all the buisness tax excemptions, then they would have enough money to cover the state budgetary needs
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by Daryl
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09/06/07 01:32 PM
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I enjoy the debate, but the point is moot. This bill won't get 60% of the public to vote for it so it won't pass. Even the bill requiring a 60% approval for future bills didn't get 60%! I can't think of one in recent history which did.
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by Not a John
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09/06/07 01:29 PM
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I agree with at least two of the "Johns" - snowbirds are the least of our concerns - want a tax break? Move to FL! And super exemption will lead to higher taxes in a few yrs for all. Read the BILL not the blurb in the SPTIMES.
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by chris
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09/06/07 11:36 AM
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Real relief can only occur with an income tax. Then you are taxing liquid assets.
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by chris
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09/06/07 11:32 AM
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As for snow birds. We ahve an affordabel housing crisis made worse by propeorties that are unutilized 9 months of the year. There should be a premium for not being a permanent resident for this reason alone.
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by chris
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09/06/07 11:30 AM
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Local governments tried to warn people that the problem was inequity and not tax rates and that the state was overstating how flush with money the local governments were. Who do you trust now? You can't fix it without scrapping save our homes.
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by carol
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09/06/07 10:01 AM
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how will this affect snowbirds. we do not have a vote but pay more taxes than many who do have a vote and can homestead. Many of us wrote to you recently re the large increase in our taxes again this year into 2008. Jan/07 mv do not relate to cmv.
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by Pat
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09/05/07 03:54 PM
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Tax Relief, what a joke. Just received my TRIM notice and compared with my neighbor, once again left paying an unfair share, oh well,one more house for sale on the market this year, this should help bring your taxes down.
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by John G
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09/05/07 02:27 PM
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Everyone seems to be missing point and true problem, THE DRUNKEN OUT OF CONTROL SPENDING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
I am totally in support of the Legislature completely reigning these fatcats in. VOTE YES.
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by John
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09/05/07 02:23 PM
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....these property tax proposals and changes are a good start. As they say, any tax break is better than nothing. Let's get this passed in Jan. & then get to work and ask the Legislature to do more. Speaker Rubio has already indicated more to do.
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by John
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09/05/07 02:20 PM
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First off there is like 4 Johns on these boards. Yes the recent tax proposals & changes does help snowbirds & businesses. It places limits on future tax growth plus provide a minor roll-back. Although more needs to be done for all prop. owners, ....
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by Floyd
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09/05/07 11:55 AM
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As someone that has read this tax bill several times I agree with John, vote yes so that we can receive some sort of tax relief now & then we will go after more. I still believe a state tax & dropping property tax all together is the best way to go.
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by Roberta
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09/05/07 08:30 AM
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The tax cut will be a shot in the arm for the housing industry. After doing the math, the taxes on my home, when I sell it, will be $3,000 less than it would be if the tax cut does not go through. I am voting yes.
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by Hesus Roher
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09/05/07 07:50 AM
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John: Please tell me HOW this ammendment will help Snowbirds-you seem to know ALL.
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by Nadine
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09/05/07 07:49 AM
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Hi John: Thanks for your "understanding" and "compassion" Thank goodness not all Floridians are such selfish Floridiots.
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by Helen
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09/05/07 06:40 AM
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Roll back the taxes to last year??? Big deal, wasn't that the year the taxes took a big increase????
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by Mike
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09/04/07 02:05 PM
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Snowbirds want tax relief? Make FL your home state. Simple. But I'm sure you're getting perks up north you don't want to lose which prevents this. If that's your choice - QUIT COMPLAINING!!!! We have no sympathy for you at all.
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by John B
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09/04/07 02:02 PM
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The exemption allows politicians to over-ride limits and raise taxes as much as they like with majority approval. This law offers no protection to anyone. All it does is allow politicians to pass the blame for lack of tax relief to us. Slick Charlie!
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by John
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09/04/07 12:51 PM
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Half the people have so much mis-information on this amendment. Yes, current homeowners can still keep your S.O.H. Yes, the amendment would still have caps on local government spending.
Yes, this amendment helps snowbirds & around 70% of FL resident
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by C.K.
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09/04/07 12:48 PM
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This is a good tax proposal although it does not reduce property taxes enough.
I will VOTE YES, and then ask the legislature to do more in next regular session. The amendment lets current Save-our-Homes keep their savings too, they have a choice!
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by Ann
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09/04/07 10:29 AM
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I have my new trim notice and my taxes are going up 7,000. to 35,000. Who even wants to buy my place. My homestead neighbors pay 7,000. Governor Crist do you have anything to offer the snowbirds who support your state or should we all abandon FLORIDA
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by John
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09/04/07 10:26 AM
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Snowbirds stop whining. If you can't accept the status quo, stay up north all winter or go to some other state.
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by Patty
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09/04/07 09:52 AM
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Tax relief does not address the snowbird citizens who can't catch a break and use 2/3 less services than full time citizens. GIVE US A BREAK. Without snowbirds your economy will drop like that tax rock.
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by Mary
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09/04/07 09:16 AM
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The majority of people asking for tax relief were the people who either recently bought homes, or people like us who own rental properites. Our taxes have quadrupled in 3 years!
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by Mr. Accountant
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09/04/07 08:32 AM
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Vote NO or forever be sorry. I have crunched the numbers....This "band-aid" measure will come back to haunt--just as SOH has.
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by June
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09/04/07 08:30 AM
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Hey G.H. Thanks for the Civics lesson. You are a Floridiot. Show me another State which taxes non "citizens" the way Florida does.
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by Cid
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09/04/07 08:28 AM
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Who REALLY CARES if a library is open on Sunday or not? If it will give some people some tax relief GO FOR IT.
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by wow
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09/03/07 05:52 PM
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No way will the politicians let us have less tax to pay. They are going to "fee" us to death as it is. We will start paying more tax about year 5 and then with No tax Cap to save our homes.
...VOTE NO on this Super Exemption.
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by Joan
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09/03/07 01:58 PM
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I am a "snowbird". I pay more in taxes than my "Homestead" neighbors, but am only there about five months to use the services these taxes are supposed to pay for. Where is the justification?? When are you going to help us stay in FL
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by Hazel
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09/03/07 09:08 AM
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Would some reporter out there, please explain how all these "tax-relief" schemes affect the non homestead owner (or so called snowbirds?). Or, does anyone really know?
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by Anne
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09/02/07 09:06 PM
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SAY NO to this damaging tax cut. Don't be fooled that tax cuts will enable the state to continue services at today's level. Parks, roads, libraries, schools....all will SUFFER.
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by Bill
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09/02/07 08:12 PM
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What happened to tax relief for those who followed the american dream and purchased a home to rent to supplement their retirement income. My home in Cape Coral (1640 s.f.) tax bill was $8800. last year, this year it will drop to $8700. Relief ??????
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by GH
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09/02/07 07:00 PM
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A "Floridian" would be a Florida citizen. Seems self explanatory. I live in FL, therefore I am a Floridian. It's defined by law, I believe. Just as it is in many other places.
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