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BREAKING NEWS: Special Session Will Remain Open To Cut Taxes

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Special To Highlands Today

Published: October 10, 2007

Legislative leaders say they have agreed to remain in special session until October 22 to try to cut property taxes.

The Legislature had been set to meet through Friday to pass about $1.1 billion in budget cuts due to a shortfall in tax revenues.

Those issues, though, were settled last week so lawmakers have turned their attention to property tax relief.

A judge last month removed a proposed tax-cutting constitutional amendment from the January 29 presidential primary ballot, ruling that its summary was misleading.

Governor Charlie Crist has been encouraging lawmakers to extend the session through the weekend and take up a revised property tax proposal.

Below is a letter from Speaker Marco Rubio to House members, released at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

A LETTER FROM MARCO RUBIO

October 10, 2007

Dear Members:

The purpose of this letter is to bring you up to speed with the most recent developments surrounding the impending special session to deal with property taxes, and to inform you of a proposal from the Leadership of the House of Representatives.

As you know, Governor Crist has proposed a plan much like the one he introduced during the regular session. His proposal would provide savings for first-time homebuyers; double the current homestead exemption from $25,000 to $50,000; provide a measure of portability; provide additional savings for low income seniors; and reduce the taxes small businesses pay on tangible personal property.

The total savings of this proposal would be $6.3 billion dollars spread over five years, or about $200 per homeowner. This is roughly $10 billion dollars less than the constitutional amendment we approved last session.

By putting forth his own proposal and joining us in working to craft a solution to this important problem, Governor Crist has presented us with the opportunity to build on his basic framework and deliver a relief package that while not perfect, will move us closer toward our ultimate goal of comprehensive and substantive property tax relief and reform.

During informal conversations with the Senate, the House has requested inclusion of the following issues, which if combined with the Governor's proposal, would result in additional savings for Floridians:

* Total elimination of property taxes for low income seniors;

* Targeted relief for affordable housing;

* Targeted relief for so-called "working waterfronts," which are the restaurants, inns, bed and breakfasts, and marinas that are vital to Florida's beachfront and tourist economies;

* Additional property tax relief for property owners who make energy efficient improvements to their homes and businesses;

* Measures to level the playing field and protect property owners from the abuses of government, including an elimination of so-called "presumption of correctness" which currently gives ultimate authority to property tax appraisers and leaves little recourse for property owners whose property is unfairly assessed, as well as requiring that all Florida property appraisers switch from appointed to elected positions.

We remain optimistic that these additional measures will be received favorably by the Senate. If we are successful in reaching agreement with the Senate to adopt these measures, extending the current special session will be justified.

Finally, let us all keep these two important points in mind:

First, if government continues to fail in meeting the basic expectations of the people, the people will continue to lose faith in their government. While we have all worked very hard on behalf of the people of Florida this year, it is clear that Florida families want us to do more to address the number one issue facing our economy.

Second, cutting property taxes and restoring some measure of fairness to our property tax system is not just about making people feel good, it is as critical an economic policy issue our state will ever face. If we do not address the crushing weight of unfair property taxes, our state's economic challenges will worsen, and the unprecedented economic growth we experienced for the past eight years will seem a distant memory.

I personally understand what an inconvenience this is to our members and their families. As a part time legislative body, we are once again asking you to recognize the importance and privilege of serving as a member of the Florida House. This is a critical issue for Florida's future and I know you share my desire to get the job done for the citizens who depend on us.

It is our plan later today to announce an extension of the session. We will reserve time on Monday and Tuesday of next week for council and committee meetings with consideration on the Floor to be sometime on Wednesday. We will provide you with a detailed schedule by the end of the day today so that Members may make their travel arrangements.

Regardless of what transpires between now and October 30, we will continue our efforts to provide property tax relief during next year's regular session, before the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, and through a petition drive if necessary.

Thank you for your commitment to Florida, and I look forward to our continued work together.

Sincerely, Marco Rubio

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