Penny Tax for Orange Transit Needs a Long Shot

Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart's push to get a penny-per-gallon tax hike to fund Lynx on the ballot faced legal challenges from County Attorney Tom Drage today, and may be a tough sell to fellow county leaders.

Orlando Sentinel

Jacksonville may call for offshore drilling

Former Jacksonville City Council President Daniel Davis is on a crusade to lower prices at the pump.

Florida Times Union

Jeb on Vouchers

Recently, education reformers from across the country descended on Orlando to attend an education reform summit organized by the Foundation for Excellence in Education and the James Madison Institute. The conference examined the need to reduce achievement gaps and improve opportunities for all children, and highlighted promising reform strategies like holding schools accountable for results and expanding school choice.

National Review

Al Gore's Hypocrisy Exposed in New Video

"We're back from Al Gore's big global warming speech, and boy did we have a great time! We had a dedicated band of taxpayer advocates out in force, pointing out the high economic cost of global warming alarmism - starting with $8 a gallon gasoline."

Americans for Prosperity

Grassroots organization opposes proposed property tax hike

The Florida chapter of a national grassroots organization is speaking out against a proposed property tax increase in the city of Orlando.

Americans for Prosperity-Florida is hosting a town hall meeting July 29 at the Winter Park Library to discuss property taxes, gas prices and how to more effectively communicate with elected officials, according to a news release.

Orlando Business Journal

Democrats Should Let Us Drill

By MITCH MCCONNELL
July 18, 2008; Page A11

Now that an executive-branch ban on offshore oil exploration has been lifted, the time has come for Democrats in Washington to lift their own ban on increased domestic supply. Americans are demanding that Congress do something about record-high gas prices. They recognize that prices will not go down unless supplies go up. And they also know that the only thing now standing in the way of more domestic supply is the Democratic refusal to allow it.

Wall Street Journal

School-voucher amendments get court date

A coalition of education groups trying to scrap two constitutional amendments that could lead to more state-funded private school vouchers in Florida will get their day in court early next month.

Orlando Sentinel

Vice President Crist?

Chris Cillizza makes the case for VP Charlie Crist".. In a toss-up race, Crist could make the difference as he not only has a demonstrated appeal at the ballot box (and high approval ratings to boot) but also has surrounded himself with a highly regarded political team -- both in Florida and Washington.

Tampabay.com

Jeb: I would've supported drilling at $4.30 a gallon

Former Gov. Jeb Bush tells the Florida Keys' Keynoter this week that "if he'd known while he was Florida's governor that oil would spike above $4.30 a gallon in the Keys, he would have been in favor of drilling for oil off Florida's coast.

Miami Herald

Property-tax bills likely to rise in Orlando

Property-tax rates are likely heading up in Orlando, city commissioners said Tuesday as they worked to plug a $30 million budget gap.

"It's a really bad time, with the economy the way it is, to impose an extra burden right when people need the extra cash," said Orlando native Edward Winslow, a student and restaurant worker. Winslow said his grandmother recently mortgaged her home, which had been paid off, to cover basic living expenses.

Orlando Sentinel

Property taxes headed up in Orlando

The tax rate will be going up in Orlando, where city commissioners say residents have become accustomed to top-notch municipal services and they plan to keep it that way.

Orlando Sentinel

Bush: Let's drill!

President Bush says he's lifted the presidential ban on offshore oil drilling his father imposed in 1990 and now it's time for Congress to act.

Miami Herald

Amendment 1 budget cuts kicking in

Local government budget cuts prompted in part by the passage of Amendment 1 are starting to roll out -- at least in local government workshops.

The property tax constitutional amendment championed by Gov. Charlie Crist last January was projected to shave a little over $9 billion in taxes for property owners over the next four years -- around $1.2 billion this year.

Orlando Sentinel

Scholars: Crist unlikely VP pick

TALLAHASSEE — The temptation is overwhelming and the flattery, for a rookie governor with a razor-sharp political instinct, irresistible.

But after months of speculation, political scholars and veteran players consider Charlie Crist an unlikely running mate for presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain.

PNJ.com

Positive Signs for Florida Housing Market

For the first time in a long time, there's positive news to report about Florida's foreclosure crisis.

The Sunshine State is second only to California for having the highest foreclosure rates in the country. Despite foreclosure filings being up 90% from this time last year, Alex Sanchez with the Florida Bankers Association says they're studying the statistics, and there's good news to report.

WOKV.com

Offshore drilling draws support

With a group of restaurants fronting the Gulf of Mexico and the Intracoastal Waterway, it probably comes as no surprise that Ed Chiles has strong views about drilling for oil off Florida's coast.

"I think that's a bad bet," said Chiles, owner of the Sandbar, BeachHouse and Mar Vista restaurants on Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key. "The beaches are Florida's livelihood, and we just can't afford an oil spill. I don't see the payoff. We need to get off fossil fuels, and we need to be conserving fuels and developing alternative sources of energy, and it's time for action, not talk."

Bradenton.com

Economic observers say Florida's downturn likely will last another year

Recession for another year, rising unemployment and $4.10-a-gallon gasoline, too? You might say this is getting to be difficult.

The questions now, at the mid-point of 2008, are: How long will these troubled economic times last? How far down will the economy go? And how many people will be able to hold on to their jobs while they wait for the economy to recover?

Sun-Sentinel

Crist unlikely VP for McCain

The temptation is overwhelming and the flattery, for a rookie governor with a razor-sharp political instinct, irresistible.

But after months of speculation, political scholars and veteran players consider Charlie Crist an unlikely running mate for presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain.

Tallahassee Democrat

Crist gets to reshape high court

In light of recent developments, Gov. Charlie Crist must be salivating at the prospect of appointing four justices to the Florida Supreme Court.

St. Pete Times

Oelrich: Let's drill

State Sen. Steve Oelrich, R-Cross Creek, said today that he will file legislation to encourage Congress to lift the federal ban on offshore oil drilling, as well Artic National Wildlife Refuge

Tampabay.com

Supreme Court Nominating Commission meets to choose justices

Two new members of Florida's Supreme Court will be chosen in an expedited selection process to replace Justices Raoul Cantero and Kenneth Bell, both leaving the court later this year to return to private practice.

Tallahassee Democrat

Expert at UCF sees growth in long run but more pain first

A University of Central Florida economist is predicting more pain for the Sunshine State's economy before it shakes off the effects of the sharp housing downturn.

Herald Tribune

Compromise Drilling Proposal

WASHINGTON — A Republican proposal to lift federal bans on oil drilling would not affect Florida's Gulf coast but could impact its Atlantic Coast, U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez said today.

Under the plan introduced today by 43 Republican senators, state governments would have the option of allowing oil and gas drilling 50 miles from their coastlines along the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Palm Beach Post

Offshore drilling gains new Fla. GOP supporters

WASHINGTON - Opposition to offshore oil and gas drilling, once a virtual requirement for any Florida politician, is evaporating in the state's 16-member Republican House delegation.

The crumbling opposition comes as the average price of gas tops $4 a gallon and after three high-profile Republicans disavowed previous opposition to offshore drilling.

Gainesville Sun

State's jobless rate is worst in five years

Florida's jobless rate rose to 5.5 percent in May, the highest since January 2003, according to a state report released Friday.

The rate, which is adjusted for seasonal fluctuations, means more than a half million workers statewide are out of work. Palm Beach and Broward counties' unemployment numbers also rose last month, according to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation.

Sun Sentinel

No New Taxes in Jacksonville

Click here to see the local ABC/NBC news coverage of the defeat of Mayor Peyton's $250 million tax increase.

Peyton won't ask for tax increase

RICK WILSON / The Florida Times-Union

Mayor John Peyton talks to journalists after saying that funding for Jacksonville Journey would not come from a tax increase.

"This is a tremendous day for Jacksonville taxpayers," said Adam Guillette, the group's state director.

Florida Times Union

With Oil's Rise, Floridians Shift on Drilling

ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. -- Neighbors Jo Ellen Sharp and Kristin Jenkins stood beside each other after a day on the beach of this barrier island, divided by the thought that Florida's corner of the Gulf of Mexico could some day be dotted by gigantic oil rigs.

Wall Street Journal

Debate over Gulf drilling splits Florida coast residents

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. — Forget hurricanes. Never mind business cycles. In two decades of running scuba diving boats for tourists, Jerry McLendon has never seen a bigger challenge to his business than the current high price of gasoline.

Palm Beach Post

Crist's climate change summit kicks off in Miami

MIAMI — Florida Gov. Charlie Crist plans to speak about green technology at a summit on climate change.

Florida power companies also plan to introduce a solar initiative at the two-day conference. It kicks off in Miami on Wednesday.

Herald Tribune

Jacksonville Mayor Peyton's Tax Increase Proposal is Struggling to Gain Support

Mayor John Peyton said Thursday he will not compromise on his Jacksonville Journey anti-crime plan but acknowledged it has been a tough sell partly because the $36.2 million plan could require a tax increase.

Times Union

Urgent: House Democrats call for nationalization of refineries

House Democrats responded to President's Bush's call for Congress to lift the moratorium on offshore drilling. This was at an on-camera press conference fed back live.

Among other things, the Democrats called for the government to own refineries so it could better control the flow of the oil supply.

Fox News

Florida's Incoming House Leader No Fan of Drilling

Unlike Gov. Charlie Crist, incoming House Speaker Ray Sansom said Wednesday that he's not changing his mind about offshore oil-drilling -- he still opposes it.

Orlando Sentinel

Jeb's oil alternative: drill but preserve the buffer

Former Gov. Jeb Bush, who negotiated the federal-state compromise to keep drilling away from Florida shores, said in an email to the Miami Herald that he supports drilling off Florida with restrictions. His suggestion: reviving the 2006 compromise to create a deep buffer around Florida while lifting the moratorium on domestic oil and gas drilling.

Miami Herald

Rubio: Explore drilling but don't fool public

House Speaker Marco Rubio agrees it makes sense to explore "every natural resource we have" to ensure energy independence. "If people can show us we can drill off the coast of Florida and we can do it safely without harming the environment," he told the Buzz, "then we should do that."

Tampabay.com

Crist Veep-O-Meter drops

We're not at all buying some of the national press Buzz that John McCain may have mortally wounded himself in Florida over his new drilling stance, but it's so far not helping Charlie Crist's national image. The Hotline today even questioned whether Crist's support for McCain's position had sunk his VP chances.

Tampabay.com

Crist says federal ban on offshore drilling should be lifted

Gov. Charlie Crist said a tourist state like Florida should be willing to consider lifting a federal moratorium on offshore oil drilling as one long-term solution to soaring fuel prices that are sending shock waves through the nation's economy.

Tallahassee Democrat

FL Chamber: We're with you, Charlie

The Florida Chamber of Commerce just issued a statement siding with Gov. Crist on oil drilling, and possibly providing some cover as he draws fire for what some see as a flip-flop.

St. Pete Times

67% Support Offshore Drilling, 64% Expect it Will Lower Prices

Most voters favor the resumption of offshore drilling in the United States and expect it to lower prices at the pump, even as John McCain has announced his support for states that want to explore for oil and gas off their coasts.

Rasmussen Reports

Crist likes McCain's drilling plan, wouldn't rule it out for Florida

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist tells Buzz that he loves Sen. John McCain's idea to lift the federal moratorium on off-shore drilling and let individual states decide whether to allow oil and gas exploration. He also said he wouldn't rule out letting Florida opt to drill off-shore.

Tampabay.com

Gingrich: "Drill Here. Drill Now. Pay Less."

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is jumping aboard the GOP-led push to open up more of the US coastline to oil and gas exploration with an online petition.

Miami Herald

McCain: Allow offshore drilling

Sen. John McCain today said he will call for lifting the two-decade old federal moratorium on gas and oil exploration that covers most of the U.S. coast and let states decide whether to allow drilling.

St. Pete Times

Rubio on veto: It's going to cost drivers more

House Speaker Marco Rubio sent out the following statement regarding the governor's veto of turnpike bid language he inserted into the budget:

“Today's veto will result in a government contract being awarded to benefit a single vendor. Combining the state’s fuel and food contracts along the Florida Turnpike limits the competitiveness of the procurement to only two companies, squeezes out all other potential bidders, and guarantees that we will not have an open, competitive, and transparent procurement process. The end result of this decision will be increased costs to Florida’s motorists.”

Miami Herald

New Evidence on Government and Growth

In the early 1980s, Ronald Reagan embraced the ideas of a small group of economists dubbed "supply-siders." They argued that lower taxes and slimmer government would stimulate growth, enterprise, harder work and higher levels of saving and investment. These views were widely ridiculed at the time, dismissed as "voodoo economics."

Wall Street Journal

Hometown Democracy Heads Back to Court

Florida business groups thought they stuck a stake through the heart of Florida Hometown Democracy earlier this year, but the slow-growth ballot initiative keeps finding new ways to spring back to life.

Orlando Sentinel

Rubio pummels Obama, liberal media

Looks like Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, perhaps in preparation for a role as a political commentator, had a captive crowd at the Boca Raton Republican Club late last month.



Palm Beach Post

Crist vetoes $251 million from budget and won't take questions about it

Gov. Charlie Crist quietly signed the state's $66.2 billion budget Wednesday, vetoing three items totalling $251 million from the state spending plan which is a record $6 billion less than the budget he signed last year.

Miami Herald

Crist To Sign Budget

Breaking with tradition -- and a signal that the volume of vetoes will be modest -- Gov. Charlie Crist plans to sign the state's $66.2 billion budget Wednesday without a public signing ceremony.

Orlando Sentinel

Goodlette sets sights on Supreme Court

Former state Rep. Dudley Goodlette, a moderate Republican from Naples, confirms that he'll apply for one of four upcoming vacancies on the state Supreme Court. A 60-year-old board certified real estate lawyer, Goodlette would be a rarity on the court. He has never served as a judge and he held partisan political office. But he's viewed as an ally of an independent judiciary and devoted much of his lawmaking to support of the court system.

St. Pete Times

Online Poll on Jacksonville's $250 Million Tax Increase

A community-wide anti-crime initiative, The Jacksonville Journey, will make recommendations to the city later this month about how to deal with crime in Jacksonville. Mayor John Peyton is considering raising property taxes in his budget to pay for the recommended moves.

Should Jacksonville raise taxes?

Click here to vote

Tax-relief measure starting to kick in

The tax-relief package passed in January means 49,000, about two-thirds, of all Lee County businesses will not be taxed on equipment. That's one way Amendment 1, the once hotly debated tax-relief plan, is saving homeowners and businesses, but cutting millions in tax dollars from government.

News Press

AIF releases annual voting scorecard

Sen. Steve Oelrich, R-Gainesville, and Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, cast the most pro-business votes in the 2008 session, according to the annual survey by Associated Industries of Florida. But the trade group is worried that the Legislature's overall score of 85.5 percent fell three points from last year.

St. Pete Times

Above the fold: Tax savings could vanish

The property tax cut that the state’s voters overwhelmingly decided to give themselves this year will not result in significant savings for most homeowners, Palm Beach County leaders warned Monday.

Palm Beach Post

School Vouchers Okay When Tied to Spending; Crist Still Strong, Poll Shows

Florida voucher supporters apparently struck gold with voters when they tied a proposed constitutional amendment allowing public money to flow to private schools with another provision requiring that at least 65 percent of school budgets be spent in the classroom.

Orlando Sentinel

Florida students score above national average on math and reading comprehension

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Some scores are up and others down, but Florida students again are above average in all grades on reading and math tests used in national comparisons, according to results released Tuesday.

WSRZ.com

Americans for Prosperity Fights Property Tax Increase

Jacksonville - State Director Adam Guillette was featured on the ABC/NBC news speaking out against the proposed property tax increase.

Click here to see the video

As justices leave Florida's high court, Crist has chance to shape state's judicial system

For the justices it was a decision to go home, make money and take care of family.

For the Florida Supreme Court it means the loss of its two most reliably conservative voices and votes

Tallahassee Democrat

Crist moves the Veep-O-Meter in Sedona

With Charlie Crist out in Arizona this weekend socializing with John McCain and fellow vice presidential contenders Mitt Romney and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, how could the Veep-O-Meter not look strong for our Governor? Crist stikes us as a lot more fun to kick back with than the tea-totaling Romney.

Tampabay.com

Stop the Largest Earmark Ever!

Lawmaker's are playing pork-barrel politics with YOUR money; and even worse, with our national defense decisions. The airforce needed a new tanker, but politicians are hindering the process.

Click here to take action now

Local Tax Fighting Group Chides Jax Journey

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Americans for Prosperity is a grassroots organization aimed at keeping local property taxes low, and their target right now is the Jacksonville Journey and its proposed tax increases.

First Coast News

$175 million tax dollars for a new stadium

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—Tampa Bay Rays executives on Thursday announced a $450 million financing plan for a 34,000-seat waterfront ballpark.

Team executives are counting on the sale of their current home, Tropicana Field, the continuation of a hotel bed tax and $55 million in parking revenues over the life of the new stadium.

Yahoo!

Elected official makes six figures but doesn't show up for work

Jed Pittman

New Port Richey, Florida - When you do business at the Pasco Courthouse it will eventually involve Jed Pittman the Clerk of Court.

Pittman, a powerful Pasco politician, has been running the office since 1977. When we stopped in to see Pittman we were surprised he was in the office. Pittman wasn't there the past couple times we checked. An employee, whose identity we are protecting, says Pittman only works a couple of days a week, a few hours at a time.

Tampa Bay News 10

Crist says he'll OK tuition increase

Community college administrators no longer have to hold out hope that Gov. Charlie Crist will approve a tuition increase.

Tallahassee.com

Crist lukewarm on tax swap idea, no hint on whether he will whack budget

Gov. Charlie Crist on Monday morning was less than enthusiastic about the proposed tax swap on this fall's ballot.

While previously Crist had suggested he might campaign for the initiative that would cut school property taxes and replace them with at least a one cent hike in the sales tax, Crist this time around said "I don't know."

Miami Herald

Session: ideology took back seat to pragmatics as GOP 'delayed principles'

Florida's Republican-led Legislature to moved to the political middle this legislative session as the sour economy and dismal budget year left them little place else to go. To ease the pain of $5 billion in budget cuts over a year, Republicans abandoned a handful of basic conservative tenets: They tapped savings accounts, raised $200 million in user fees and, in a handful of cases, they made government bigger.

Miami Herald

So begins Rubio's 100 year journey

Standing before the portrait that will hang in the House for a century, Speaker Marco Rubio displayed his charm, humor and self-styled passion for big ideas in a long, emotional farewell.

Tampabay.com

Hotel bed tax bill dies

The Florida Keys won't get to use bed taxes to build affordable housing.

Bowing to pressure from the state's tourism industry, the state Legislature rejected a measure Friday that would have allowed Monroe County to spend the proceeds from one penny of its resort tax building work-force housing.

OrlandoSentinel.com

Florida legislative session ends; $66.2B budget approved

The Legislature ended its 60-day session Friday not with a bang or a whimper, but an emotional compromise.

FloridaCapitalNews.com

Rubio's emotional farewell

TALLAHASSEE --

Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban exiles who climbed the political ranks to become Florida's first Cuban-American speaker of the state House of Representatives, bade an emotional farewell Friday afternoon, choking back tears as he spoke about his motivation to succeed: his parents.

MiamiHerald.com

Property tax bill goes to Crist

TALLAHASSEE — Despite an attempt from House Republicans to reignite divisive property tax battles with their Senate counterparts, lawmakers agreed this morning to a package of less ambitious changes.

PalmBeachPost.com

Florida legislation that passed and that failed

BUSINESS REGULATION

PASSED

Foreclosure fraud – Increase disclosure requirements for foreclosure-related services (HB 643)

Annuity regulation – Increase penalties on sellers who pressure elderly to buy annuities they don't need or want (SB 2082)

Click here for more

Voters To Have Final Say On Adding Penny To State Sales Tax

TALLAHASSEE - Florida voters will decide this fall whether to tack another penny onto the state sales tax and whether to resurrect one of former Gov. Jeb Bush's pet education projects. They will also weigh in on various tax breaks.

TBO.com

Another session ends, but uneasiness lingers

TALLAHASSEE — Battling budget blues with an eye toward November elections, lawmakers left the Capitol after 60 days of work with the specter of Floridians' unrest over reduced spending on education and social services.

HeraldTribune.com

Small government is cheaper government

BY ED BRADDY
SPECIAL TO THE STAR-BANNER

With the April 15 filing deadline behind us, we're well aware of when taxes are due. But do you know when your taxes are paid?

According to the non-profit Tax Foundation (www.taxfoundation.org), Floridians did not pay off their annual tax bill until April 26, that's yesterday. You'll spend one-third of the year working for federal, state, and local governments before you begin working for yourself.

Ocala Star Banner

Crist announces 2nd climate change summit

Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp, announced a Florida summit on global climate change called "Serve to Preserve."

St. Pete Times

Rubio's new book: '60 days'

It's like high school again this afternoon in the Florida House.

Speaker Marco Rubio has presented members with a yearbook of sorts, a glossy hardcover photo book called 60 days. "This isn't about ideas," Rubio said, alluding to his 100 Innovative Ideas for Florida's Future. "It's not about me necessarily."

Tampabay.com

You call that tax reform? Seriously?

More tax breaks for a select few in Florida?

Making sure that the state can give its tax dollars to the church?

Those are the big ideas for fixing Florida's tax structure?

St. Pete Times

School budget a 'tax shift,' Pickens says

When the new state budget landed on legislators' desks Monday, Democrats quickly discovered a $365-million increase in property taxes statewide for schools next year -- despite what they recalled was a commitment by House GOP leaders not to increase those taxes.

St. Pete Times

Crist leans hard to revive a gas tax break

The budget is written and done without the last-minute gas tax holiday recently pursued by Gov. Charlie Crist. But that's not stopping Crist from continuing to try. He first mentioned it on the Fox Channel this morning -- no doubt legislators were riveted and watching -- then he phoned his closest Senate friend on Monday morning, Sen. Mike Fasano, a Tampa Republican, and asked him to help.

Miami Herald

House and Senate leaders agree on final budget

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Lawmakers working on next year's state budget finished negotiations Sunday, finalizing approximately $5 billion in cuts to the budget that now needs approval from the House, Senate and governor.

Herald Tribune

Prop tax hike in budget after all? Dems say it's a budget 'sleight of hand'

Despite promises that property taxes would be "held harmless'' in this year's budget, legislators want school districts to spend property tax revenues intended for school construction on classrooms.

Miami Herald

Ghost of Jeb wins: Vouchers is on the ballot

With their hallmark piece of tax reform safely on the ballot, opposition melted Friday against a proposal to enshrine into the state Constitution a protection for private school vouchers.

Miami Herald

Voters get one more: 65 percent of school budget to classrooms

Voters will get a chance to pass a symbolic mandate to the Florida Legislature to order that 65 percent of all school district funding go into the classroom. By a vote of 20 to 5, the Taxation and Budget Reform added its eighth and last amendment to the ballot.

Miami Herald

School Vouchers Added To Ballot

TALLAHASSEE - Two years after the Florida Supreme Court struck down a school voucher program for children in failing public schools, voters will have the chance in November to revive it.

Tampa Tribune

Fla. tax panel puts school voucher, spending items on ballot

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A proposal critics say would not only allow school voucher programs but require them went on the November ballot Friday.

Voters will also be able to require schools to spend at least 65 percent of their budgets in the classroom as part of the same proposed constitutional amendment.

TBO.com

House votes to put tax cap on ballot

In what amounts to little more than an election-year statement, the House voted 79-38 on Wednesday to put a sweeping government revenue cap on the November ballot.

The resolution (HJR 7125) by Rep. Frank Attkisson, R-St. Cloud, would tie the growth in all government revenue to population and inflation plus 1 percent.

Tallahassee Democrat

Business groups to fight tax swap

TALLAHASSEE — A 25 percent cut in property taxes would seem to be sweet relief for the state's largest businesses, which stand to save billions of dollars.

Herald Tribune

Rubio calls swap 'potential recipe for disaster'

House Speaker Marco Rubio says he has always viewed the revenue cap and tax swap as working in concert. But now that the cap has been killed by the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, Rubio says the swap is "a potential recipe for disaster."

St. Pete Times

Grover Norquist says no to TBRC tax swap

Anti-tax guru Grover Norquist has penned a letter asking Florida' tax reform commission to "revisit" its plan to replace $9.5 billion in property taxes with higher sales taxes.

Orlando Sentinel

Tax swap picks up more critics

Orlando-based Ax The Tax has added its name to the list of groups that have come out against the state taxation reform commission's property tax swap.

Leading up to this week's vote, that list has been heavy on business lobbyists who fear their clients could be smacked with service taxes or lose their tax breaks if the $9.5 billion property tax cut passes at the polls in November.

Orlando Sentinel

Legislature passes on most property tax reforms

After promising the Amendment 1 property tax cut was an opening salvo, Florida legislators are poised to end their 2008 legislative sessio without taking another shot.

However, Republicans in the Florida House want to make it easier for property owners to challenge their assessments, reviving an idea they considered and dropped a year ago.

Orlando Sentinel

Rubio plan cuts property taxes for Florida cities, counties by $6.3 billion

A special panel of economic advisors calculated Monday that a plan backed by House Speaker Marco Rubio for limiting property taxes would cost cities, counties and other taxing districts about $6.3 billion.

That's a lot less than the $8 billion Rubio predicted last November when he threw his support behind a petition campaign for a constitutional amendment that would cap property taxes at 1.35 percent of value.

Florida Capital News

As Housing Market Slumps, More Property Taxes Unpaid

TAMPA - A slowing economy and stagnant real estate market has translated into a record year of late property taxes.

Tax collectors in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties are reporting dramatically higher numbers of people who missed the April 1 deadline to pay their property tax bill. In Hillsborough County, the increase is near 30 percent.

Tampa Tribune

Business groups to fight tax swap

TALLAHASSEE — A 25 percent cut in property taxes would seem to be sweet relief for the state's largest businesses, which stand to save billions of dollars.

But instead, business groups are ferociously attacking a plan that would cut $9 billion of property taxes and replace it by increasing the state sales tax and expanding it to include dozens of services and products.

Herald Tribune

Budget cuts in Florida eat into tax holidays

Florida families will have to shop a little faster if they want to take advantage of the tax-free period for buying school clothes next summer.

The back-to-school sales tax holiday will be a week long this year, three days shorter than years past, in an effort to save state money.

Tallahassee Democrat

Haridopolos ratchets up tax fight - on the Web

Sen. Mike Haridopolos has a new Web site attacking the "tax swap" proposal being considered by the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. (see post below for his public hearing this morning on the plan.)

St. Pete Times

Bid to cut property taxes, raise sales tax stirs up Tallahassee

TALLAHASSEE --

A powerful state senator held a one-man tribunal Friday to point out the pitfalls of a proposed constitutional amendment to swap some school-district property taxes for higher sales taxes.

Miami Herald

Lawmakers give Florida Forever land-buying program $300 million

House leadership has agreed with the Senate to provide $300 million in the upcoming state budget for the Florida Forever land-buying program, according to a House staff member.

Florida Capital News

Relief for “outrageous” gas prices?

Gov. Charlie Crist said today that lawmakers should consider repealing the state gasoline tax this summer to “alleviate some of the financial difficulties” Floridians are having at the pump.

Palm Beach Post

In one-sided fight, Haridopolos pummels 'swap'

Sen. Mike Haridopolos opened his hearing this morning on the proposed tax swap as if he were Paul Harvey. "I'll be the first to admit, it sounded great," he said of the plan to replace most school property taxes for a 1 cent sales tax increase and other revenue sources.

St. Pete Times

Haridopolos: Show me the money

Senate Finance and Tax Chairman Mike Haridopolos continued his assault on the state tax commission's proposed $9.5 billion property tax swap Friday by tagging it once again as the largest tax increase in Florida history.

Orlando Sentinel

Haridopolos trashes TBRC on talk radio

Brevard County Sen. Mike Haridopolos used a radio appearance on WFLA 100.7 FM, a Tallahassee talk radio station, this morning to trounce the property tax swap plan proposed by the state's taxation reform commission.

The Orlando Sentinel

House keeps growth caps on taxes alive

TALLAHASSEE — A House panel Tuesday revived Florida's version of a Taxpayers Bill of Rights, a day after a powerful commission killed an attempt to place it on the November ballot.

The measure would cap revenue for on state and local governments and would prevent the public sector from expanding faster than the economy or the taxpayers' ability to pay for it.

Palm Beach Post

A shorter sales tax holiday in '08?

Money is so scarce in Tallahassee that lawmakers are balking at renewing a popular 10-day back to school sales tax holiday on purchases of backpacks, books and other items in early August. In a year when many lawmakers have talked about the need to provide more tax relief, the tax holiday bill (SB 2094, sponsored by Sen. Dan Webster) is gathering dust in the Senate. "We're looking at something limited," the Senate's chief budget-writer, Republican Lisa Carlton, said Tuesday.

St. Pete Times

TABOR Rises Again Today in the House

After suffering a crippling defeat the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, Florida's anti-tax revolt flares again today in the House.

A government revenue capping measure similar to the one that failed in the powerful commission takes center stage today in the House Policy and Budget Council.

Tallahassee Democrat

Property tax plan may lead to hikes

TALLAHASSEE — Despite promises to avoid raising property taxes that pay for schools, a plan from state House Republicans would hit property owners in Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, Hillsborough and 17 other counties with tax increases, according to a Palm Beach Post analysis.

Palm Beach Post

TABOR-like revenue cap dies

A revenue cap is not headed to the November ballot.

The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission has just killed a weaker version of the cap which would have required two-thirds approval by local and state officials for any fee or tax. Proponents wanted a stronger cap, which tied revenue growth to population and inflation, but clung to hope today that the compromise plan would muster 17 votes.

It got 14.

"If you vote no today, you don't think government has a problem with spending," said commissioner Mike Hogan, the Duval County tax collector who sponsored the original proposal. "This is as good as we could get." His closing argument drew applause from the packed audience. But the vote also drew cheers.

St. Pete Times

Tax 'swap' in trouble?

John McKay's tax swap may be threatened if the tax cap goes down today. (and it did. see above)

Taxation commission Mike Hogan said he is going to change his vote because a 1-cent sales tax increase would not cover enough of the revenue shortfall. Hogan said it was not clear during debate that the increase would be limited to a penny.

St. Pete Times

Tax panel scraps tax cap and its replacement

A powerful citizens panel couldn’t muster the votes Monday for a constitutional amendment to cap all government revenue and is falling short on a plan to ask voters to make it harder for all state and local governments to raise taxes and fees.

Miami Herald

Editorial: State tax reform commission must reverse its course by approving Taxpayer Protection Amendment

Unless the Reform Commission really intends to redefine “tax reform” as “tax increase,” this 25-member panel must do right by the taxpayers on Monday. Convening in Tallahassee their last round of meetings, commissioners will consider a Taxpayer Protection Amendment that would limit government spending to increases in population and inflation.

Treasure Coast Palm

Voters like revenue cap; Crist's approval down

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's job approval rating has dropped to its lowest point ever, but still remains a healthy 59 - 25 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

St. Pete Times

Florida Senate vs. TBRC

Sen. Mike Haridopolos bemoaned the McKay tax swap on the Senate floor and complained that the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission has ignored his two previous letters accusing them of putting on the ballot the "largest tax increase in history" without more consideration. He's sending a third letter today.

St. Pete Times

Florida House proposal would freeze subsidies for pro-sports franchises

TALLAHASSEE - State subsidies used to help fund pro hockey and spring training baseball in Broward County would be eliminated for one year, under a budget amendment the Florida House adopted Wednesday night.

Sun-Sentinel

Property tax amendment clears committee

A proposed state constitutional amendment being sought by House Speaker Marco Rubio to cut property taxes an estimated 20 percent won initial committee approval in both chambers.

Bradenton Herald

Senate passes frugal budget with pay cuts for governor, lawmakers

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A frugal budget that includes pay cuts for Gov. Charlie Crist and lawmakers as well as spending reductions in health care, education, prisons, the courts and nearly every other state service passed Wednesday in the Florida Senate.

Miami Herald

Tax cap gets House committee nod

A tax cap styled after the proposal that is strugging to get through the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission won a 12-4 vote of the House Efficiency and Government Accountability Committee Wednesday, despite signs that it is still not even on the agenda in the Senate.

Miami Herald

Let Florida's budget games begin

Opening the somber duty of passing a state budget that's $5 billion less than last year, House Democratic leaders laid out a littany of compaints that ruling Republicans were prioritizing "sports teams and mega-corporations" over common people by not considering ending tax breaks to cover the deficit.

Orlando Sentinel

Tight budget may stall land preservation funding

TALLAHASSEE -- With growth continuing to race across Florida, environmental groups began pitching a plan in 2006: The state should dramatically expand its efforts to buy and protect sensitive land.

Daytona News Journal

House panel gives nod to tax cuts

TALLAHASSEE — A House panel signed off on new property tax cuts that could limit annual spikes in home valuations and allow partial payments of tax bills.

The House Government Efficiency and Accountability Council approved two bills affecting the taxes Tuesday. But with less than a month left in the legislative session, both are far from becoming law, including a measure that fixes a tax-increasing quirk of Save Our Homes.

Palm Beach Post

Rubio, Department of Transportation spar over turnpike plazas

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. --

The state agency that runs the Florida Turnpike is at odds with House Speaker Marco Rubio over the way contracts are awarded for providing food and gasoline at the turnpike's eight service plazas.

Miami Herald

Bill Nelson could boost Crist's VP prospects

Well, that's the theory from former Republican U.S. Rep. John LeBoutillier: "...(John McCain) needs to wait to see what the Democratic ticket looks like first because that ticket will signal their electoral strategy. For example, if Obama wins the nomination and picks Bill Richardson, then we know he is going for the Southwest region - New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado - full of Hispanic voters - plus McCain’s own Arizona and California (strongly Democrat anyway).

St. Pete Times

Feeney likes TABOR-style tax caps for Florida

Add U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney of Oviedo to the list of conservative Republican politicians lobbying Florida's tax commission to approve a rigid revenue cap for local and state government.

Orlando Sentinel

Lawmakers likely to acquiesce to easing class-size requirement

TALLAHASSEE -- Trying to help school districts cope with widespread budget cuts, Florida lawmakers appear poised to temporarily ease requirements for reducing class sizes.

Daytona Beach News Journal

Budget ax threatens Crist agenda

TALLAHASSEE — Florida's poor, sick and elderly might not be the only ones who lose out in the state budget. Gov. Charlie Crist's priorities are likely to take a hit, too.

St. Pete Times

Check Out Americans for Prosperity on Youtube

Americans for Prosperity - Florida

Florida may see more nuclear plants

Going green in Florida looks like more nukes and high-voltage transmission lines will be crisscrossing the state.

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Online political action can effect offline change

TALLAHASSEE - Will Anderson's first foray into politics didn't come via a letter to the editor or a campus flier. Instead, the 21-year-old started a group on the social-networking Web site Facebook opposing changes to a state scholarship program.

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Jeb Bush works to put TABOR over the hump

Jeb Bush and his protégé Marco Rubio, the speaker of the Florida House, have been contacting members of the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission urging a "yes" vote on the revenue cap. At last count, proponents had 16 votes -- one short of the 17 needed for passage.

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TABOR headed to TABLE

UPDATE: It's official. A vote will be put off and no new amendments will be accepted after noon Tuesday. Public testimony will continue today until 6 p.m. The final vote will be April 14.

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VP Crist or Nelson?

Nothing like evidence that Florida could be a challenge for John McCain to boost Charlie Crist's vice presidential prospects. The Veep-O-Meter this week takes a big swing in the direction Crist flying on Air Force Two on the heels of a Quinnipiac poll showing Mcain vulnerable in the the must-win Sunshine state.

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By one vote, TBRC shoots down voucher plan

Falling one vote short, the state tax reform commission rejected a plan for the November ballot Friday that would have mandated that public dollars flow to students in private schools.

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Florida legislators are driven by a fear of taxes

It's the ultimate taboo in Tallahassee. The T-word. Taxes.

Gov. Charlie Crist and his fellow Republican lawmakers would rather discuss just about anything else. A mind-set grips the Capitol that cutting spending is the only way to manage an epic downturn in revenue, "no matter the consequences," as one veteran lobbyist put it this week.

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Voucher amendment fails, commission again delays revenue cap

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A proposed state constitutional amendment to undo a Florida Supreme Court ruling that struck down a school voucher program narrowly failed to win a spot on the November ballot Friday.

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State tax panel's vote falls short of putting school vouchers on ballot

TALLAHASSEE - Bogged down in confusion and debate, the state's powerful tax commission Friday put off voting on a plan to rein in government spending, but it rejected a bid to enshrine school vouchers in Florida's constitution.

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Florida budget commission delays vote on tax cap

TALLAHASSEE — Hilda Patterson was exhausted — literally shaking — late Friday afternoon after sitting through seven hours of discussion.

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Our position: Local governments are insulting taxpayers with their fees

It sure didn't take local governments long to figure out ways around the property tax cuts demanded by lawmakers and voters.

Some even went through the motions of cutting taxes, but they didn't cut their budgets much.

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Crist supports TBRC work product

Count Gov. Charlie Crist a big fan so far of the state tax reform commission.

The governor said Tuesday morning he generally support all three of the most controversial constitutional amendments the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission has floated.

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Budget Plan Would Allow Crist To Tap Reserves

TALLAHASSEE - Under a $65.1 billion budget plan unveiled Monday by the Florida House, the state would continue providing hearing aids and other health care services to the poor and Gov. Charlie Crist could tap up to $1.7 billion in reserves should state coffers dwindle to disturbing levels.

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State House sees no end to budget cuts

TALLAHASSEE — Despite a 10 percent cut to their state spending plan for next year, House lawmakers said Monday that a historic run of budget shortfalls might not be over.

"We are in uncharted waters," said House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami. "I don't think we've ever been in this place - certainly not in modern history in Florida."

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Sales Tax Holiday Closer to Being Routine

A bill that would establish a sales tax holiday from Aug. 2-11 for schools supplies, clothes and bags won unanimous approval Tuesday morning in the Schools & Learning Council.

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Bill would boost student fees at UCF and other schools

A bill intended to let the University of Central Florida join the upper echelon of the state’s research schools by charging higher student fees has picked up some extra baggage raising fees for out-of-state and graduate students.

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Florida House proposes $65.1 billion budget, 10-percent cut

The Florida House leadership presented a budget plan of $65.1 billion today and proposed an emergency stop-gap measure to head off any further shortfalls in state revenue collections.

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A quest to bar aid to foreign students begins again

Rep. Dick Kravitz, a Jacksonville Republican, is nothing but persistent. In his final session, Kravitz is trying once again to get the Florida Legislature to pass his bill that would bar state universities or community colleges from using any state money or money from tuition or fees to provide financial assistance to any foreign student enrolled at the school.

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House Unveils Lean Spending Plan

The state House is proposing a lean -- and Democrats and health and human services advocates say -- mean $65.1 billion budget for 2008-09, which could have been even slimmer had ruling Republicans not tapped $659.1 million in unused cash from trust funds to prop-up spending.

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TABOR seems kaput (?)

UPDATE: Adam Guillette, Florida director for Americans for Prosperity, says speculation about the proposal going down is bunk. "We think we're looking a lot better now than we were a few days ago." He said the strong public showing resonated with the commission and that the mixed feelings -- too strong, too weak -- are a good sign. "It seems like Commissioner Hogan is doing a good job to the find the middle."

Colorado business woman tells panel that tax cap would cost more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A Colorado woman urged Florida's tax commission not to make the same mistake as her state by capping government revenues and requiring voter approval for tax and fee increases.

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Vote on tax-cap proposal postponed for week

TALLAHASSEE --

The sponsor of a plan to put a strict cap on all governments' tax revenues into the state Constitution struggled to keep the issue alive Wednesday and postponed a vote on whether to put it on the November ballot.

Mike Hogan, the Duval County tax collector, said he will wait until the last meeting of the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission next week as he continues to make changes to the already watered-down plan.

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Hogan prompts tax panel to delay cap plan

TALLAHASSEE - The state's tax commission was expected to take final action Wednesday on a proposal to cap state and local taxes, fees and other revenue, but its sponsor asked that the vote be delayed.

The commission had been scheduled to consider some changes Duval County Tax Collector Mike Hogan and others have proposed for the measure, known as the Taxpayer Protection Amendment, and then vote on it, but Hogan asked for the commission to postpone a decision on whether the measure should go on the November ballot so that it could be modified.

The panel, though, heard testimony Wednesday from citizens, nearly all in favor of the tax cap, including a large contingent from Hogan's county.

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Florida tax protesters tramp into Crist's office

TALLAHASSEE — Their anger was etched on weary faces, carried in chants and scrawled across signs mocking Gov. Charlie Crist's promise to drop property taxes "like a rock."

The property tax debate erupted anew in the state Capitol on Tuesday — a vivid reminder of how heated the issue remains even after voters approved Amendment 1 two months ago.

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TABOR vote put off, for now

The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission will not vote today on the controversial revenue and spending cap proposal known informally as TABOR, its chief sponsor told the Buzz late Tuesday.

"We're going to workshop it," said commissioner Mike Hogan, who is also Duval County tax collector. Speaking shortly before midnight, Hogan said he was exhausted after a day of working on the proposal and making at least six changes to a bill that has already been altered various ways.

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State Panel OKs Bill To End Public Financing Of Elections

TALLAHASSEE - House Republicans and Gov. Charlie Crist on Tuesday appeared once again to take opposing sides - this time over spending millions of taxpayer dollars on the campaigns of political candidates.

The House Policy and Budget Council voted along party lines to abolish public financing of campaigns for governor and other Cabinet offices, despite arguments from Democrats that the public money thwarts the influence of special interests and levels the playing field for challengers of powerful incumbents.

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Bill would extend Florida Forever

House and Senate committees this week are considering draft bills to extend the Florida Forever land-buying program without committing the state to spending money that it may not have in the future.

More than 500,000 acres of conservation lands have been bought since 2000 under the $300 million annual program, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

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Taxpayer protection is essential for Florida prosperity

Dan Quiggle |Special To The Sentinel

Sunshine State taxpayers have a golden opportunity in March for meaningful tax reform that would bring property taxes under control for good. A proposal known as a Taxpayer Protection Amendment, which is currently being considered for the ballot by a special state commission, would rein in out-of-control government growth while delivering billions of dollars in tax relief to overburdened property owners.

Orlando Sentinel

The TBRC's next big fight

Having approved the "tax swap" last week, the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission will vote Wednesday on a proposal to limit revenue and spending at all levels of government - a concept generally known as a Taxpayers Bill of Rights.

And the lobbying is intense.

Mac Stipanovich is working against the proposal for the Florida League of Cities and fired off a 10-page letter that explores "Athenian" and "Mirage" interpretations of what constitutes new taxes and fees before concluding TABOR is "positively dangerous" and a "radical indictment of the efficacy of representative government in Florida."

David Biddulph of Americans for Prosperity provides 10 reasons why commissioners should vote for the plan. No. 1: economic prosperity. Biddulph asserts that in Colorado, which adopted TABOR in 1992, personal income growth has climbed as a result. "Should the Commission favor an amendment that is likely to improve Floridians' standard of living?"

St. Pete Times

Dan Quiggle: Is a taxpayer protection amendment needed? Yes

Like many taxpayers, the 11,000 Florida members of Americans for Prosperity were incredibly excited to see that a Taxation and Budget Reform Commission subcommittee unanimously approved the Taxpayer Protection Amendment on February 11.

If approved by the full commission, this legislation will be placed directly on the November '08 ballot. No legislative approval, petitions, or Supreme Court approval is necessary. This is an unbelievable opportunity for taxpayers to enact the most substantive tax reform plan in Florida's history.

Gainesville Sun

Is Taxpayers Bill of Rights needed?

The Taxpayer Protection Amendment is currently being debated by the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. It has passed two subcommittees and is now only one vote away from being placed on the November '08 ballot. This essential legislation would force politicians to get voter approval for any new tax or fee on both the state and local level. It would also limit their excessive spending increases and enforce fiscal responsibility on our government.

Bradenton Herald

Florida legislators debate where to make next budget cuts

TALLAHASSEE — Layoffs of state workers. Shuttered driver's license offices. Fewer seats in prekindergarten classes. Parole for more nonviolent criminals. Less help for injured manatees.

St. Pete Times

Lawmakers in Tallahassee look at higher fees to aid budget

Most of the talk in Tallahassee is about budget cuts, but a few lawmakers are willing to whisper that they're also considering hiking fees.

An election year is never a good time to do anything that opponents can cast in campaign mailers as tax increases. So lawmakers are wary of asking Floridians for any more cash out of their pockets.

Orlando Sentinel

Above the fold: Tax free items may be on the hook

TALLAHASSEE — A potential $3.9 billion hole in Florida's public education budget could be plugged, in part, by taxing sales of religious items, ostrich feed and pet-grooming services.

Those are among the services that could lose their sales tax exemption if legislators are forced to comply with a proposed constitutional amendment that would slash property taxes.

Palm Beach Post

Florida's payroll sees some triple-dip

TALLAHASSEE — Forget double-dipping. Florida has 131 triple-dippers.

These state employees are drawing not one but two pensions and are back on the job, receiving a salary and working toward a third pension.

St. Pete Times

Dave Barry: Everyone involved in planning Florida's primary "turned out to be a moron"

American Idol meets the Florida primary. Miami Herald columnist Dave Barry suggests the solution to Florida's delegate debacle: the nation's first primary by text.

"Seriously, could the state of Florida look any more ridiculous?," Barry writes. "Why does this kind of thing always happen to us? Why can't we be a regular state, such as (to pick a random state) Minnesota? There were no hassles with the Minnesota primary. The Minnesotans simply chose an appropriate primary date, voted and resumed scraping ice off their bodies, confident that their votes would count.

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Orange, Seminole plan big cuts

With state revenues continuing to drop, two of Central Florida's school districts said Friday that they are planning massive spending cuts next fall to cover the lost dollars.

Orange County schools Superintendent Ron Blocker has told principals to knock 6 percent off school spending next year. The district office will cut 7 percent in administrative expenses.

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Florida won't require toilet paper in restrooms

TALLAHASSEE - Florida diners, beware: Toilet paper will continue to be optional in restaurant restrooms — at least as far as state law is concerned.

The House on Thursday flushed down a proposal to mandate that restaurants keep an ample supply of toilet paper in each stall. Republicans argued the toilet tissue regulations just weren't needed, given state regulators already inspect restaurants' facilities for cleanliness.

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National Review trashes Crist for VP

Another rough week for Gov. Charlie Crist on the Veep-O-Meter. First came the St. Pete Times/Bay News 9/Herald poll showing he wouldn't help John McCain draw lots of Florida Democrats.

St. Pete Times

House GOP stomps “Democratic tax hike”

In a vote sure to show up on campaign mailers this fall, Republican Rep. Frank Attkisson’s House committee just voted down a proposal from House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber to close a corporate tax “loophole.”

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Bill to close corporate tax loophole fails

TALLAHASSEE — A proposal to increase state revenues $365 million by requiring multistate corporations to pay taxes on more of their income was defeated Thursday in the Florida House.

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Tax swap draws critics, but Crist favors idea

TALLAHASSEE --

The loudest opponents of the property-tax swap going before voters in November are lobbyists for major corporations and future legislative leaders who would be stuck with the plan's heavy lifting: $9.6 billion in sales tax increases, budget cuts and other revenue hikes.

But while some legislators fret and big business twists arms to kill the plan, one of the most influential voices in Florida politics says the proposal is a good idea.

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Plan forces state to modernize tax system

The tax cut voters will be asked to approve in November will do much more than save property owners money. It will force lawmakers to do what they have refused to do for nearly 70 years: modernize the state sales tax to raise revenue from products and services that have never been taxed.

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Property tax cut may give idea of taxing services new life

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. --

The idea of taxing services, which could include everything from hair cutting and lawn mowing to lawyering and accounting, may have new life in Florida.

It's one of several sources, including a sales tax increase, the Legislature could tap to replace at least $8 billion in property tax cuts for schools if voters approve a proposed constitutional amendment, although supporters have played down that option.

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Property-tax bill no panacea for housing sales

Proposed property tax relief could give a boost to South Florida's beleaguered real estate industry, pushing skittish home buyers off the fence and easing the burden on commercial property owners, industry leaders said Tuesday.

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Tax-cut proposal leaves big questions

TALLAHASSEE --

The clearest aspects of Florida's biggest tax overhaul effort on November's ballot: billions in savings all but guaranteed for property owners and a just-as-likely sales-tax increase.

Almost everything else: fuzzy.

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Crist to Campaign for Tax Swap? "Probably"

Gov. Charlie Crist said Wednesday he's still reviewing a proposed November ballot measure that would eliminate $9.6 billion in school property taxes while increasing the state's 6 percent sales tax by one percent.

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Crist inching closer to budget veto?

Gov. Charlie Crist got lampooned on Wednesday at the Capital Tiger Bay Club, but some of the answers he gave today to the crowd were pretty serious and show a slight adjustment of his position on some key issues now being taken up by the Florida Legislature.

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Resort tax plan battle is brewing

TALLAHASSEE - Prodded by lobbyists for online travel companies and time shares, state lawmakers are quietly crafting a package that could ultimately shield those industries from millions of dollars in taxes every year.

The package taking shape in the state Capitol, yet to be presented in public, could effectively short-circuit a protracted court battle between Orange County and Internet giants Expedia Inc. and Orbitz Worldwide Inc. over whether the companies are skipping out on sales and hotel taxes. A number of other Florida counties have sued on similar grounds.

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Proposal to loosen class size limits fails, will be reconsidered

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. --

A ballot proposal that would have loosened class size reduction requirements failed Monday, but the state's tax commission agreed to keep it alive for a possible revote next week.

The proposed state constitutional amendment would have allowed five more students in each class, but existing limits would still have had to be met on a school average basis. That could potentially save the state millions of dollars by avoiding the need to hire more teachers and build additional classrooms.

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Property-tax proposal could give South Florida big savings

TALLAHASSEE --

One of the biggest tax cuts in state history is headed for the November ballot, after a powerful state commission voted Monday to put an amendment before voters that would scrap most of the portion of local property taxes that goes to schools.

If approved, the amendment would force the Legislature to make up the lost money by hiking the sales tax by up to a penny, cutting the state budget and eliminating some sales-tax exemptions.

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Florida to vote on property-tax cut in November

TALLAHASSEE - -Florida voters will get a chance in November to cut their property-tax bill by 25 percent or more -- by eliminating $9.6 billion now collected to help finance public schools.

And to ensure the schools don't lose money, voters would also require the Legislature to raise the sales tax, eliminate some sales-tax exemptions and/or drastically slash other state spending.

The tax-cut proposal -- a sweeping change that far surpasses the Amendment 1 approved just last fall -- was approved 21-4 Monday by the nonpartisan Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which meets every 20 years.

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A gold star for the TBRC

You know it's a big deal when Bruce Kyle shows up for a meeting.

Kyle, a member of the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, has missed a majority of the full meetings, contributing to an overall poor attendance record for the all-important, 25-member panel. But with a critical day on property tax proposals, there is a full house. In the saddle for the first time is Richard Corcoran, the former top aide to House Speaker Marco Rubio. Corcoran replaced Alan Levine, who resigned due to work in Louisiana.

"It's a clear indication of the importance of this issue," John McKay said at the outset of remarks. The TBRC is still debating McKay's plan to replace school property taxes with other revenue sources, including a 1 cent sales tax increase. Supporters in the audience cheered when an amendment was adopted to reduce the school millage rate to 5 mills from 10 mills.

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'Tax swap' headed toward ballot

House Speaker Marco Rubio shares a celebratory moment with TBRC member Patricia Levesque.

UPDATE: The proposal passed 21-4. Dissenting votes were cast by Barney Barnett, Mark Bostick, Randy Miller and Greg Turbeville.

A tax swap appears headed to the November ballot.

After hours of debate, the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is close to voting on a proposal to eliminate school property taxes -- which make up 25 or more percent of an overall tax bill -- in favor of a 1 cent sales tax increase and other revenue sources.

"The people grabbed relief on Jan 29. but they are still clamoring for reform, true reform," said commission member Darryl Rouson.

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Panel approves 'historic' tax swap

Florida voters will get a chance to vote on swapping a third of their property tax bill for a penny increase in the sales tax -- and a promise that the Legislature will fill the $9.6 billion hole in school funding in 2011 -- under a plan voted on by the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission on Monday.

The panel, which has the power to put constitutional amendments directly before voters, voted 21-4 to place the proposal on the November ballot. It will eliminate an average of 33 percent of all property taxes in Miami-Dade County, 35 percent in Broward County and 25 percent statewide and replace it with a penny increase in the 6-cent sales tax.

But because the sales tax increase covers only a fraction of the lost revenue and the measure requires that school budgets not be cut, several business groups said they fear it could force the Legislature to adopt a services tax.

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TBRC passes sweeping property tax overhaul

The state Taxation and Budget Reform Commission will ask voters in November to cut property taxes by roughly one-fourth and make up the revenue with a higher sales tax.

The proposal, passed 21-4 in the powerful panel Monday, would eliminate the entire, $8 billion-plus portion of property taxes lawmakers force school districts to impose, called the Required Local Effort, by 2010.

To offset the tax loss to schools, the Legislature would have to pick and choose between repealing sales tax exemptions, spending cuts, enacting a one-cent sales tax increase, or through general revenue growth once the economy rebounds.

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RLE Has Soared in Recent Years

The Required Local Effort, the property-taxes school districts must impose to collect any state dollars, has soared in recent years -- making it a political football between legislative Democrats and Republicans.

It's no wonder the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is targeting the provision.

As recently as 2000, state records show that 61 percent of school dollars came from the state, with only 39 percent stemming from local property-owners. But that balance shifted during Gov. Jeb Bush's tenure as governor to where in 2006 for the first time, more money come from property owners than state coffers.

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Rubio urges budget commission to approve property-tax-slashing measure

Calling their vote today "historic," House Speaker Marco Rubio this morning warned members of the Taxation and Budget Reform commission that state revenues are plunging and that radical reforms are needed to pull the state out of an economic nosedive.

The 25-member panel has the extraordinary power to sidestep the Legislature and put proposals directly on the November ballot. Rubio urged them to take bold action by approving a measure that would slash property taxes by about 25 percent, wiping out about $8 billion in property taxes the Legislature mandates for districts to qualify for state money, known as the Required Local Effort.

Property taxes, Rubio argued, are not a reliable source of income for schools. Millage for school taxes will have to go up if the RLE remains in place and the housing market remains stalled, Rubio said.

The House won't go along with that, he said.

"That source of funding must and needs to be replaced in the state of Florida and I urge you to do it," Rubio said.

One proposal sponsored by former Gov. Jeb Bush aide Pat Levesque would require lawmakers to replace the required local effort with a combination of options, including closing sales tax loopholes, increasing the state sales tax by a penny, steep budget cuts or diverting state revenue growth when the economy rebounds.

Another proposal, pushed by Rubio-appointee and former Miami Republican lawmaker Carlos Lacasa, would give everyone the equivalent of a 25 percent property tax exemption in exchange for a half-cent increase in the sales tax that would be directed to schools.

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Lawmakers want to keep up get-tough approach

Florida's budget crisis has taken center stage this legislative session. A potential $2 billion budget deficit has pushed the property insurance issue off the radar screen.

Still, at least some issues surrounding property insurance are expected to get a hearing.

Sens. Jeff Atwater, R-Palm Beach Gardens, and Steve Geller, D-Hallandale Beach, who co-chaired the Select Committee on Property Insurance Accountability, recommended Thursday to Senate President Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, that a number of issues be considered. Almost all amount to a continued get-tough approach with insurers.

Atwater and Geller are recommending that temporary bans be continued that prevent insurers from raising rates without first getting state permission and stop insurers from going to an arbitration panel to appeal a state rate denial. The bans were put into place during the January 2007 special session on property insurance.

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Panel faces historic tax-cut decision

TALLAHASSEE — Monday could be a momentous day for those seeking to change Florida's property tax system.

The powerful Taxation and Budget Reform Commission will decide if proposals for what would amount to the biggest property tax cuts in Florida's history will go before voters in November.

"It could be an historic day in Florida for lowering property taxes and also an historic day for, really, taxpayer fairness," said Allan Bense, the former House speaker from Panama City who is the TBRC chairman.

Gov. Charlie Crist and many lawmakers have pointed to the commission as the best hope for substantial tax reform this year.

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A last-ditch property tax push?

House Speaker Marco Rubio’s power may be waning outside the Capitol.

But within its halls, the West Miami Republican has set the table for what could be his last best shot at deep property tax reform.

Rubio has moved a potentially pivotal Taxation and Budget Reform Commission meeting set for Monday from another far-flung state building into the House of Representatives main offices.

The panel empowered to place constitutional amendments on the November ballot is scheduled to vote on several radical changes to Florida’s property tax system.

One of which, sponsored by former Jeb Bush aide Patricia Levesque, would eliminate the entire, $7.9 billion portion of property taxes lawmakers force school districts to impose, called the Required Local Effort, by 2010. To offset the tax loss to schools, the Legislature would have to pick and choose between some combination of repealing sales tax exemptions, spending cuts, a sales tax increase, or through general revenue growth once the economy rebounds.

Rubio has been furiously lobbying the 25 members of the commission to line up the 17 votes needed to put the Levesque plan on the ballot. Before the vote, one of the groups backing Rubio, Floridians for Property Tax Reform, plans to rally on the steps of the Capitol.

This week, Rubio appointed his former chief of staff, Richard Corcoran, to the TBRC. The speaker said Friday he was within two votes, and plans to personally appeal to them Monday to pass a version of Levesque's proposal, along with government revenue caps.

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State panel imagines new ways to tax

DAYTONA BEACH -- Imagine a future where the property taxes of snow-cone vendors weren't taxed at the same rate as nearby condominiums on the waterfront.

Think of what might happen if sheriffs and clerks of courts were obliged to publish detailed descriptions of their annual budgets in the local newspaper.

Or how about a Florida where the revenue growth of government could not exceed the annual growth of population and inflation by more than 4 percent?

What would happen if Florida imposed a sales tax on ostrich feed or luxury sky box suites at sports stadiums?

Allan Bense, speaker of the Florida House from 2004 to 2006, floated these ideas during a Friday luncheon of the Civic League of the Halifax League at the Daytona 500 Experience.

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Lawmakers discuss raising Citizens' rates

TALLAHASSEE -- Customers of the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. have received a breather during the past year.

Gov. Charlie Crist and state lawmakers eliminated a double-digit rate increase that was supposed to hit Citizens' residential customers in 2007 and prevented other rate increases through 2008.

But now, with the end of that rate freeze looming and some leaders worried about the state's financial risks if a major hurricane hits, lawmakers are facing major decisions about Citizens.

Those decisions will determine whether Citizens' customers receive potentially hefty rate increases next year.

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Senate wants stricter property insurance rules

After peppering executives from five property insurance companies last month with questions concerning everything from canceled policies to their own salaries, a special Florida Senate panel released recommendations Thursday.

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Crist Okays Budget Cuts

Just like that, Gov. Charlie Crist erased $512 million from this year's budget.

The Republican governor, as expected, Friday signed the latest package of reductions to the state's $70 billion budget approved earlier this week by the House and Senate. Next year's spending plan is expected to shrink further on the strenght -- or weakness -- of a $3 billion projected decline in anticipated tax collections.

Orlando Sentinel

Resolution would give Legislature power to set tuition

Voters would get a chance to second-guess themselves about the state's education governance under a Senate proposal to reorganize the State University System.

The Higher Education Appropriations Committee unanimously approved a resolution (SJR 2308), that would weaken the Board of Governors and give authority to set tuition to the Legislature. The resolution would also again create the Cabinet-level position of an elected education commissioner if approved by voters in November.

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Tracks could get tax breaks to compete with tribal casinos

By BILL KACZOR THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

TALLAHASSEE — South Florida jai alai frontons and horse and dog tracks would get a tax break on their slot machine earnings to help compete against expanding Seminole Indian casinos under a bill the Senate passed Thursday.

Broward and Miami-Dade county pari-mutuel facilities would still have to pay a minimum of $123 million in taxes. Above that level, earnings would be taxed at 35 percent instead of 50 percent rate.

"At a 50 percent tax rate they're either losing money or barely breaking even now," said Sen. Steve Geller, the bill's sponsor.

"And with additional competition from the Indians offering product that they can't, I would expect that they would close," said Geller, the Senate minority leader. "With a 35 percent tax rate they have a shot of hanging on."

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