Today's Letters: Tax cut will spark housing economy

The right to property is essential to the American dream, and when that right is threatened by unexpected, unbearable spikes in property taxes, relief must be provided, and the comprehensive constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters on Jan. 29, will provide that relief.

One key provision in the relief package allows homeowners to transfer their Save Our Homes tax benefit to a new home. This policy, called portability, will spark Florida's economy with only a minimal impact on local government. When one family downsizes into a smaller home that better meets their needs, thanks to portability, another family can afford to move into that home.

This policy eliminates the "lock-in effect," which has prevented homeowners - often seniors or empty-nesters - from moving into smaller homes as their needs or lifestyles changed. Portability gives Floridians the freedom to choose where to live and what sort of home to buy based on the needs of their families, not on a failed tax policy. And, the homeowner will continue to enjoy the Save Our Homes 3 percent cap.

The amendment also doubles the homestead exemption, providing an additional $25,000 exemption for the value of homestead property above $50,000 (excluding school taxes). This will allow the tax benefit to keep pace with the increased price of housing; more than 94 percent of Florida homeowners will enjoy tax relief under the increased exemption.

Once approved by the voters, this benefit will provide immediate relief on your next tax bill and not two or three years from now.

The proposed constitutional amendment creates a new exemption from taxes on tangible personal property of $25,000 and eliminates the need for businesses and owners of manufactured homes to file a return if they have less than $25,000 in tangible personal property.

This change will exempt more than 1-million Floridians from this tax, out of a total of 1.2-million who now pay it. Many Floridians spent more money complying with related paperwork than they owed in tangible taxes. This proposed amendment will cut away that red tape for many of our seniors residing in manufactured communities, who will be free from ever paying this tax again.

Small-business owners, second-home owners, renters, and others will benefit from the fourth component of the Legislature's tax relief plan, which places a 10 percent cap on assessments of non-homestead properties. Most non-homestead property owners have experienced sticker shock when looking at their tax bills in recent years. This cap provides predictability for all properties in Florida; no longer will property owners have to fear unexpected, large assessment spikes.

The American dream is alive and well in Florida, and this constitutional amendment will ensure that Floridians can continue making that dream a reality in their own lives. Please vote "yes."

Mike Fasano,

Florida senator, District 11

Re: Simple solution to traffic problems Jan. 16 letter

Drivers can't pick laws to obey

Having just retired from nearly 35 years as a commercial truck driver, I agree with the letter writer that slow drivers are a problem. However, he seems to have left out one thing. On all streets and highways, if you look on the right side of the road on two-lane roads, and on both sides of the road on multilane roads, there are posted speed limit signs. The signs post the maximum legal speed for that road. They are not estimates.

It has been my observation throughout my driving career that most people either don't know these signs are there or that they feel they are above the law and the limits don't apply to them. Look for the signs and then follow the steps the writer suggested in his letter.

An even larger concern to me than the speeding is the message we are sending our children. It is our responsibility to teach our children to obey the law. What does it tell a teen when you turn on your radar detector and disobey the law by speeding? Can we pick and choose the laws we want to obey?

Jon Campbell, New Port Richey

Rowdens always willing to help

I'm a vice president at Brookridge. On several occasions, I have had to go Hernando County Commissioner Diane Rowden for help, and she has always helped us. Recently I called her and explained that my wife is working with folks in Brookridge who need assistance because their income is so low.

A couple had no heat and it had been cold the past few weeks.

A local heating and air conditioning company representative told these folks that the unit could not be repaired and needed to be replaced. Unfortunately, there is no money to replace the unit.

Commission Rowden took charge of this problem. She immediately asked her husband to go the couple's home and see if the unit could be repaired. Jay Rowden had a friend who is an air-conditioning repairman, and he went over there and fixed it for no charge.

I recently read a letter to the editor that said Diane Rowden and her husband should go away. I couldn't disagree more. These two are caring, good people who care about helping people who need it. They go out of their way to help the less fortunate among us.

Thank you, Diane and Jay, and the person who helped with the repairs (with no charge to the people). Your kindness in this matter will not be forgotten.

George Gubitose, Brooksville

Your voice counts

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[Last modified January 22, 2008, 21:27:20]