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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Super homestead will give us a shot

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published September 4, 2007

Re: Get ready for worst, cities told Aug. 24, story

I read your article about the impact if the voters pass the "super homestead exemption" in January.

I have never written before, but I felt I needed to let you know my feelings.

I am 55 years old and I retired last year from teaching. My husband is a paint contractor. My property taxes last year were $12,000, my homeowners insurance (I don't need flood) was $4,000 and our health insurance premiums were $14,000 with a $2,500 deductible. This is a grand total of $32,500!

Which is more important, giving people a fighting chance to actually stay in their homes and have decent health insurance, or having free parks, free libraries and other recreational facilities?

The only thing government should be concerned with at this time is that people can afford to live in their own homes.

Also, people cannot afford to move out of their homes because of the Save Our Homes cap. We moved from a very expensive home to a less expensive home, however our taxes went up $4,000 a year. Because of this, people are not moving, therefore no one is building any homes and this is hurting everyone.

I have also felt that it is necessary to have user fees. To use the parks, why not charge $5 a carload? If you use the libraries, pay a $25 yearly fee. I am all for raising the sales tax 1 or 2 percent, as this allows all the people who do not own a home to share in the costs of schools, fire, police, roads, etc.

The super homestead exemption will not solve all of our problems, however, it will help us stay in our homes.

Barbara Lueth,Crystal Beach

Cut property tax, raise sales tax

Here's a solution for the Florida Legislature:

Cut property taxes by one-half for all property owners and small businesses. Then increase the sales tax by 2 cents. That ought to generate significant income to more than offset the decreased property tax.

Eliminate these current disjunctive propositions and offer a plain and simple solution. Let's get this on the ballot and let the people of Florida decide.

George White,Palm Harbor

Re: Lower my taxes or I'll sell a condo Aug. 30, letter

Threat to sell has opposite effect

Richard Hunter's threat of selling his condo merely created great joy for local government personnel. If he sells at the tax appraisal value, the buyer will pay even more taxes than he now does.

The only way Mr. Hunter could help to lower taxes is to sell at the value he purchased the property for. If enough people would do just that, property taxes would go down.

But then, I guess the tax millage rate would be increased.

Robert Coffey,Belleair

[Last modified September 3, 2007, 21:58:18]