Crist urges Yes on 1

 

Property taxes in Florida have doubled in the past six years outpacing the average growth of homeowner’s salary. Local governments have used their increase in revenues to greatly expand their budgets and reserves and Florida league of Cities and other groups who will have to tighten their budgets and experience some cuts if the property tax cut amendment goes through are actively opposing the tax cut vote.

However many believe that increased revenues should be returned to Florida’s families and small businesses and as absentee ballots for the upcoming January 29th election are hitting mailboxes, more people are speaking up in support of the tax cut, Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish says "Amendment 1 helps Floridians at a time when they need it most. Amendment 1 is good for our businesses, good for our housing market and good for our economy . . . but most of all its good for our residents. "

On December 27th The Florida Carpenters Regional Council (FLCRC) announced its support of “Yes On 1 - Save Our Homes NOW”,  ballot amendment.

The Florida Outdoor Advertising Association has facilitated the involvement of member companies making in-kind donations of advertising space to the “Yes on 1 Florida” campaign. Member companies started posting billboards promoting this effort on December 26,2007 to run through January 29, 2008.

The prospect of saving a few bucks from a tax cut has even energized mobile home residents across Florida.

In an email sent out on January 1, 2008 Governor Crist urged all Floridians to vote Yes on 1 on January 29th. He said "In less than a month, you will have the opportunity to lower your property taxes by voting Yes on 1.  With the passage of Amendment 1, you will gain the freedom to purchase a new home without huge tax penalties, and rental home owners, second home owners and businesses will benefit by limited future tax increases.

Recently, I visited Elizabeth and Keith Markowitz from Orlando and listened to their personal story as they explained the benefits they would receive from the Amendment 1 tax cuts. Like many Americans, the Markowitz’s had dreamed of building their own home, but could not afford the higher property taxes they would face.  

Many families like the Markowitz’s are being taxed out of their home or are being held captive by rising property taxes. Amendment 1 would benefit seniors seeking to downsize, as well as those who want to move into a new or different home.  I believe this is an opportunity that Florida’s homeowners cannot afford to oppose.

The time has come to lower your property taxes.  Property taxes in Florida have more than doubled in the past six years and local government budgets are growing faster than our residents’ ability to pay for them. In the past three years property taxes have increased 42% and they continue to grow at a rate three times as fast as our population and inflation.
I believe Floridians know how to spend their money better than government does, and they deserve to keep more of their hard earned money.  If you are overwhelmed by high property taxes and want a tax cut, then you should vote Yes on 1.  The doubling of your homestead exemption will bring you immediate relief and when you chose to move, the portability of the Save our Homes tax benefit could save you thousands of dollars.