Todays Letters: In support of Amendment 1

By Letters to the Editors
Published January 29, 2008

The people of Florida need to vote "yes" on Amendment 1. I am not a Republican or a Democrat. I am an American for America and the people who live in it.

There are many who would like nothing more than to see this proposal defeated. Why? It will be possible that some counties that are now struggling will lose tax revenue and affect those who are paid from these taxes. At the same time, think of how many homeowners are losing their homes because they can no longer afford their current taxes. These people are also trying to make ends meet - retirees, low-income wage earners, working people and business owners.

I have heard this person or group say this or that about why we should vote down this opportunity. What I say is stop using the children, the elderly, our police, firefighters, teachers and government workers as leverage to defeat this proposal.

Yes, some government tax entities will take a hit; that's why they need to learn to use what they receive in a more productive manner and continue to provide safe and secure jobs for those who depend on their taxes to provide security and safety.

Dale Bennington

Spring Hill

Amendment 1 is road to disaster

When a politician tells you he is going to give you something, and someone else will pay for it, get ready to duck. Amendment 1 is a suckers' bet, and will give, at best, short-term relief and then most likely disaster.

You should use the brain God gave you and hug a snowbird. They come down, spend money, pay the 7 percent sales tax and help our economy. They help to keep Florida businessmen in business. This means jobs for Florida residents.

If they own homes they pay property taxes and, more important, school taxes. They do not utilize the school system and this keeps your school taxes low. Lose these people and watch your school taxes skyrocket. In some northern states the school tax on moderate two- or three-bedroom homes is up to $8,000, depending on the location of the home. Snowbirds also pay for your parks and public services and at most use them part time.

If this amendment passes and you push a greater tax on businesses, rental properties and second homes, guess what will happen? Businesses, to pay this tax, will pass it along to the consumer. Who is the consumer? Florida residents. If a business can't do this, they go out of business and jobs go with them. Then taxes revert to residential properties.

Tax rental properties and landlords will pass the tax along to renters! All renters are not snowbirds.

Remember, a house is a commodity. Price is based on supply, demand and whether it is affordable. If you can afford to pay more because of portability and supply is static, the $200,000 home you were looking at will soon become a $300,000 property. What happens when prices increase and assessed valuation goes up? Property taxes increase. The only winner here will be the Realtor whose commission will increase.

Pass this amendment, chase the snowbirds and pay higher commodity prices, and pay your own local and school taxes if that is your wish. Look hard at this amendment. All that glitters is not gold!

Charles Ditta, New Port Richey

Amendment 1 is way to tax reform

It is important to Vote "yes" on Amendment 1. This is our first step as taxpayers toward tax reform. This is the tax relief we need while working toward real reform.

I hear opponents say this amendment is not enough. Then I hear opponents say it's too much and government will be unable to provide services. Which is it? Don't ask the opponents of Amendment 1, because they don't know.

I can tell you this is the first step and we must vote "yes."

Benefits of Amendment 1 include portability. The amendment all but eliminates tangible property tax, almost doubles the homestead exemption and caps increases on nonhomesteaded property.

Portability eliminates the "lock-in effect," which has prevented homeowners from moving into smaller homes or larger homes as their needs or lifestyles change.

The orphan of the amendment, which does not get much attention, is the elimination of the tangible property tax. The proposed amendment creates a new exemption from taxes on tangible 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 property. This change could exempt more than 1-million Floridians from this tax. That's out of a total of 1.2-million who currently pay it. Note that most Floridians pay more to create and file the tangible property tax return than they pay in taxes. A hidden savings!

The amendment also increases 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.

The fourth component of the amendment is the 10 percent cap on assessments of nonhomesteaded properties. Small-business owners, second-home owners, renters and others will benefit. This cap provides predictability for all properties in Florida; no longer will property owners have to fear unexpected tax increases and large assessment spikes.

Let's vote "yes" for relief and work together for reform.

Gary E. Schraut

Licensed real estate broker

Brooksville

Re: Mean-spirited feud must come to an end Jan. 16 editorial

County officials step out of line

These ladies have got to stop all this fuss,

before they start throwing punches and cuss.

Said a young girl in school

"What they're doing is cruel.

Sets a bad example for us."

John Albert, Spring Hill

Commissioner's service is lauded

Whether you are Republican or Democrat, you will fall in love with Hernando County Commissioner Rose Rocco because she returns your e-mails and kindly offers to set appointments to meet with her current or potential constituents.

Though firmly rooted Republicans, we were captured by her eloquent vocabulary, beautiful wardrobe, sincere interest for the elderly and willingness to ride along with a full bus of residents to petition their needs in Tallahassee. She gives 100 percent of herself to her career.

Rose will abstain from voting on an issue until she has all the facts and/or alternatives to come to a viable solution. If you want someone to talk with, who is transparent, earnestly seeking to do you justice by digging in the political trenches to win your cause, Rose will be your winner.

She appreciates every vote and in the depth of her heart, she wants to cure society's problems. We need more roses like Rose.

Gus and Cy Hollister

Brooksville

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[Last modified January 28, 2008, 20:58:56]