Amendment 5 debate in Panama City

August 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment

I attended the Amendment 5 debate on August 13 at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City. Senator Haridopolis (R-Indiatlantic) was there to represent the opposition to this constitutional amendment known as the “tax swap” amendment. He began his remarks discussing the phrase “holding education harmless”. The Florida Legislature will have to find $11 billion [...]

Jan

29

The Big Winner: Charlie Crist

January 29, 2008 | 1 Comment

Let’s see. John McCain won the Republican Primary. Amendment 1 passed with more than 60%. Things I didn’t think would happen.
The big reason? Could it be the fact that Governor Charlie Crist took an active role in both?

An interesting note that McCain received almost 50% of the vote in Miami-Dade - thank you [...]

Jan

25

I voted.

January 25, 2008 | 7 Comments

Earlier today I told you how it was still a difficult decision. It was. I stared at that screen for five minutes. In the end, I voted for Rudy Giuliani. It’s not that I think Rudy is the best candidate. Clearly I don’t. I like them all equally, which [...]

Jan

15

Here’s a prediction: the tax reform amendment will fail.

January 15, 2008 | 1 Comment

Yup. I know it’s not necessarily a bold prediction of what’s going to happen on January 29th. The usual suspects are lined up on either side: labor unions (including firefighters and teachers) against the GOP’s big business base.
There have been some news stories and blog posts that make me think it will happen.
First, [...]

Aug

10

Are Florida Business Groups Really That Dumb?

August 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment

The Buzz and other media outlets are reporting today that the National Federation of Independent Businesses/Florida will be supporting the Super Homestead Exemption amendment to be voted on in January. This is on the heels of the Associated Industries of Florida announcement that it also supports the amendment.
Um. What?
Let’s see two business groups - [...]

Aug

2

Is State Rep. Frank Atkisson a Socialist?

August 2, 2007 | 1 Comment

No. I’m quite sure he’s not and I’m not trying to be McCarthy-esque…
Just consider these two quotes:
“I have real disdain for the way we tax people right now. People should be taxed on their ability to pay.”
– Frank Atkisson, Quoted in the St. Petersburg Times (Aug 1 2007)
“In a higher phase of communist society … [...]

Aug

2

I swear, the Republican Legislature DID do something. Really.

August 2, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Okay. So in January the Republican Legislature passed “property insurance reform.” In June, the Republican Legislature passed “property tax reform.”
After all, these were important campaign issues. Something had to be done. Floridians are going broke. They can’t afford their homes. They’re moving out of our state.
So two bills were passed. [...]

Jun

11

The Tribune’s False Tax Analysis

June 11, 2007 | 5 Comments

I read with interest Jerome Stockfisch’s article about a state income tax in yesterday’s Tampa Tribune.
The article starts with a box on page one essentially saying that a homeowner who pays $3000 annually for property taxes could instead pay only $2870 if we reduced property taxes and imposed a minor income tax. Sounds great, [...]

Jun

7

Are property tax cuts doomed to fail?

June 7, 2007 | 9 Comments

The Florida Legislature will meet next week in a Special Session to pass a property tax reform package. I am certain the Republican leadership of both chambers will have the votes to pass some measure of reform.
However, consider two interesting items:
First, The Buzz is reporting that Senate Minority Leader Steven Geller is the first [...]

Jun

5

Delegation Meeting on Property Taxes

June 5, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Okay, I attended the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation Meeting on property tax reform tonight, and it was an interesting experience.
Local governments attempted to rationalize why they have grown as big as they have. Legislators suggested they have grown to big for their britches.
Some good suggestions… some unbelievable moments… some salient points… a lot of [...]

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