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Talk of the bay: Property tax plan viewed as poetic injustice
By Times Staff
Published December 28, 2007
Does Gov. Charlie Crist want to turn us into a state full of star-bellied Sneetches, favored over their non-star-bellied counterparts? That's the suggestion of Sean Snaith, director of the UCF Institute for Economic Competitiveness. Snaith said the state's property tax referendum next month, which Crist supports, would create a privileged class of longtime homeowners if portability of Save Our Homes is approved. Like Dr. Seuss' quirky yellow characters, these "star-bellied" homeowners would have tax benefits denied to first-time home buyers or people relocating to Florida. Snaith's suggestion is that the state has to stop believing in fairy tales and even consider "the dreaded income tax." Pearlman mansion to highest bidder? Conventional marketing hasn't produced a buyer for music producer Lou Pearlman's Windermere mansion, so bankruptcy trustee Soneet Kapila and mortgage holder Bank of America want to try an auction and have asked the bankruptcy court for permission to hire Fisher Auction Co. as auctioneer with the bankruptcy estate. The auction likely would be in late February, Kapila said. Bank of America's mortgage on the property is about $5.3-million. Pearlman is in jail awaiting trial on federal bank fraud charges. More get benefit of phone bill help Discounted phone service for low-income households saw a surge in enrollment this year. No, the poor economy wasn't to blame. The Public Service Commission credited the 13-percent increase to automatic enrollment for families that register for low-income assistance programs through the Department of Children and Families. Applicants are asked whether they are interested in saving $13.50 on their monthly bills. Information on eligible customers is then electronically forwarded to the commission, and then to the telephone company for enrollment. A family of four earning less than $27,878 would qualify for Lifeline. For information, contact your phone company or call the Public Service Commission at 1-800-342-3552.
[Last modified December 27, 2007, 22:28:21]
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by John
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12/31/07 12:17 AM
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Although this amendment does not provide enough property tax relief, it's better than nothing.
Let's get it passed & work for more.
I'm voting YES on 1.
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by wow
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12/29/07 10:31 AM
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This amendment is good ONLY for Business. Not good for the average citizen. Vote NO --Make them redo it.
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by J
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12/28/07 05:24 PM
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Look at Crist, look at him, and look at who he hangs out with. Governor for the people? Taxes to drop like a rock????
Crist is out for Crist. Typical politician. Out for votes. VOTE NO TO AMENDMENT 1. Citizens speak out. NO!!!!
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by jackie
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12/28/07 05:18 PM
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C.Crist is trying to raise lots of money to promote Amendment 1. Sad, that money could be used for someting more equitable and fair. If it was such a great amendment, you would not have to raise such astronomical sums. It stinke. VOTE NO TO 1
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by Brenda
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12/28/07 03:21 PM
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Memo to Mr. Snaith: We already have a priveleged class of longtime homeowners. We just need to extend the benefit to everyone to be fair and not chase all the younger folks out of Fla.
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