The Florida House has passed two 2010 ballot proposals offering property tax relief, but both face long odds in the Senate. ...more

April 27, 2009

Civic activist Blaise Ingoglia said he spent 100 hours poring over sales data, court records and other documents to compile a statistical analysis on the state of the housing market in Hernando County. ...more

March 29, 2009

Saving Old Florida Regarding "Cattle Call Cuts Johnson's Taxes" (Metro, June 28): ...more

July 5, 2008

Mark Twain, Edith Wharton and other boldfaced names among the dead have something in common with living Americans in these hard financial times: ...more

June 20, 2008

If Pasco County's tireless fans of garbage-burning noticed the news coming out of Hillsborough County several days back, they haven't had much to say about it. Perhaps that's because what Hillsborough commissioners learned, and spent several days reeling from, previews a similar cornflake-spewing moment for Pasco's elected leaders. ...more

February 19, 2008

SEBRING — Equestrian enthusiasts and people who enjoy peace and quiet will enjoy a new development in rural Highlands County. Saddle Ridge is the first of its kind — an equestrian development that is also "green." The 1,200-acre development, near the western edge of the county between Sebring and Lake Placid, will offer 10-acre to 18-acre parcels for homes and horse farms, and will ultimately have 96 homesteads. Because of the large lot size and their agricultural zoning, many of the homesteads will be eligible for significant breaks in property taxes. ...more

February 18, 2008

A lawyer for three new Florida homeowners has filed a lawsuit in state court challenging the portability portion of the Save Our Homes Amendment. ...more

February 14, 2008

The time has come where the middle class taxpayer is just about stretched to the limit financially. The new homestead exemption helped somewhat, but the local governments will need additional taxes to keep the level of services they offer, especially law enforcement. ...more

February 6, 2008

Amendment 1 is a statewide constitutional amendment that requires 60 percent voter approval. ...more

January 29, 2008

On Jan. 29 the voters of Highlands County will be deciding on an amendment to the Florida Constitution which, if passed, will result in some property tax relief. Is it everything we need in tax reform? No! However it does provide much needed relief to Florida residents who are "stranded" in their homesteads, unable to move to either a larger or smaller home because they would lose the protection they have accrued over the years through the Save Our Homes exemption. Amendment 1 will, if approved, make Save Our Homes portable. If the amendment passes, a young family will be able to take their lower tax rate with them when they outgrow their residence and purchase a larger home. A retired couple will be able to "downsize" without running the risk of doubling or tripling (or worse!) their current property tax bills. ...more

January 27, 2008