Take-out Tuesday: Florida 2008 Property Tax Amendment debate

Panelists:
Dr. Robert Bradley
Dominic Calabro
Raoul Lavin
Randy MillerFlorida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission
Alan Rosenzweig
Preston Scott

Possible common ground?

• The property tax system in Florida is not equitable. It is ultimately in our mutual interest to correct the inequities.
• To restore fairness to our taxation, Save Our Homes will need to be either repealed or applied to all property owners at comparable rate, giving homestead a reasonable advantage, not an excessive or unreasonable one.
• If the amendment passes in January, it becomes highly unlikely that 60% of the population will later vote to repeal or amend Save Our Homes.
• Given the years of increased local revenues due to skyrocketing property values, it is important to require governments to have the serious fiscal discussion this legislation has compelled. The results of that exercise will vary widely from county to county.
• Large percentages of local government budgets, such as funding for constitutional officers and unfunded mandates created by state legislation, are not under their budgetary control.
• If the amendment passes, Leon County will be required to cut over 25% of the budget they control; citizens will experience substantial cuts in programs and non public safety services.
• Citizen involvement in local budget discussions is fundamental in promoting transparency in government and in producing good results.

Resources

Property tax primer