Jan 30, 2008 11:51 pm US/Eastern
Amendment One, Positioned To Disappoint?
TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) ―
On Election Day Floridians cried out for property tax relief, giving overwhelming approval to an underwhelming Amendment One.
Even Governor Charlie Crist, the amendment's biggest booster, admits it's not enough. It gives a modest tax break to some property owners but leaves many with little or no relief.
"A lot of people agreed to vote for this amendment because we promised that we're going to do more," said Speaker of the House Marco Rubio.
Rubio hopes the legislature will plunge back into the property tax crisis when it convenes next month.
"We better take it seriously, what a crisis this is, because come September, when people get their property tax bill and they realize it's not much different that this year's tax bill, they're not going to be happy, and they're going to expect us to do more. I hope we will," said Rubio.
Even many who voted for the amendment say it's flawed.
"I'd be in favor of more of a flat rate, like 1.3% of the assessed value across the board," said Vince Botta, who voted for the amendment. "That way everyone is treated fairly."
Amendment One is expected to bring some help to a real estate depression. It allows homeowners to take their existing tax bill to a new home, but doesn't reduce taxes for first time home buyers or newcomers.
"Not as many people are coming as before because of the tax rate, and some of the older and some of the younger people are leaving because taxes are so high," said realtor Martha Bullman.
However, some unions representing public workers say citizens might pay a dangerous price with the cuts, such as reduced or slower fire rescue service.
"A heart attack, sometimes you only have six minutes to get there," said Stan Hills of the Metro-Dade Fire Union. "A house fire can double in size in three or four minutes."
The panel has the power to do something about it. The taxation and budget reform commission meeting in Tallahassee has the authority, if it chooses to put a broader tax reform measure on this November's ballot.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
