Floridians were loud and clear about wanting property tax relief. In Tuesday's election, 64 percent of the voters – 2.5 million – supported Amendment 1, which doubles the homestead exemption, allows portability of Save Our Homes and provides tax relief to businesses. Now we can brace for the fallout. The big worry with most Floridians is how it will affect fire and law enforcement service, schools and county services. The other worry is that local governments will increase taxes to fill those budget holes. ...more

January 31, 2008

Hernando County and the rest of the state got a wakeup call from voters Tuesday. They want property tax relief and they want it now. ...more

January 30, 2008

The promise of property tax relief spurred more than enough votes on Tuesday to write Amendment 1 into the state Constitution. ...more

January 30, 2008

The promise of property tax relief spurred more than enough votes on Tuesday to write Amendment 1 into the state Constitution. ...more

January 30, 2008

On the eve of Florida's presidential primary, two local Republican lawmakers talked property tax relief, state budget challenges and homeowners insurance to about 30 people in a town-hall meeting. ...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

The Legislative Delegation at the County Commission chamber last Friday, Jan. 18, was a testimony to the concerns our state representatives have for the citizens of Hernando County. Representatives Robert Schenk and Ron Schultz, and Senators Mike Fasano and Paula Dockery respectfully listened to the residents who had taken the time to attend the meeting. ...more

January 22, 2008

The fight over a constitutional amendment promising property tax relief came to Tampa on Wednesday, with Gov. Charlie Crist outside of a South Tampa home urging voters to back the measure while a major union was downtown lobbying against it. ...more

January 17, 2008

Hillsborough County commissioners have decided to spend $801,000 to make a 3,500-acre preserve accessible to the public rather than not spending the money and risking having to pay back millions of dollars in state grants they have spent buying the land. ...more

December 26, 2007

Hillsborough County commissioners have decided to spend $801,000 to make a 3,500-acre preserve accessible to the public rather than not spending the money and risking having to pay back millions of dollars in state grants they have spent buying the land. ...more

December 19, 2007