PLEASE, PLEASE WE ARE GETTING A HUGE RESPONSE OF VERY ANGRY TAXPAYERS BECAUSE OF THE PLAYBOOK.  PLEASE PLEASE - EMAIL ALL YOUR EMAIL LISTS WITH THIS ATTACHMENT AND YOUR NEWSPAPERS AS WELL --  THIS MAY BE THE SILVER BULLET. 

Click this link to go to the Hernando Today.com news story:
http://www.cartonline.org/id45.html

Click this link to view or download the FAC Playbook/Toolkit document:
http://www.cartonline.org/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/fac_playbook.pdf

LINDA HAYWARD
HERNANDO COUNTY

LHAYWARD@tampabay.rr.com 

==================================

I would like to know what you are proposing for tax relief for individuals that do not qualify for the homestead exemption in the State of Florida.

My husband and I live in Maine.  In 2003, we purchased a second home along with some lots in Charlotte County, Florida.  We work hard and are investing our future in Florida.  We are planning to relocate in the next 5 years.  We are pursuing the American Dream. We are average Americans working hard and trying to make a better life for ourselves and our children.

We have seen our tax bills double each year with no relief in sight.  We did not even receive any hurricane relief or tax break even though we had hurricane damage from Charlie.  Year round residents got relief.  We both work fulltime and are not rich by any means.  We do believe in paying our fair share. 

Unfortunately this is not the case.  We are exempt from being homesteaded and are not protected by any tax ceilings per year.  Yet our neighbors in Florida pay a fraction of taxes compared to us and utilize and demand more services than we do.  The current tax formula discriminates against individuals like us that work hard but do not live year round in the State of Florida.  

Locals with voting power will argue if seasonal taxpayers can afford a second home let them pay more.  This is not right!  How people chose to spend their earnings is their business and should be irrelevant to how the state taxes all homeowners.  Everyone should pay their fair share, period. 

We will not be able to for fill our plans for relocation if the current trend continues. Someone in the Senate needs to give us a voice.  We love the state and we pay our taxes, please hear us.

I'm reading about some of the proposals that are being discussed.  One of the proposals is shifting the burden from homesteaders to others like myself.  Please do not even consider this plan.  We should all share the burden of covering the cost of operating expenses in Florida.  To shift taxes on part time residents will have a long term negative effect on this state.  Please consider curbing county spending and taxation.  Ceilings on tax increases are recommended for individuals like us. 

Voula Willette
Swillet2@maine.rr.com

I am a part time resident of Holmes Beach.  My property taxes are driving me to reevaluate whether to keep this home.  We contribute to the community more than most full time residents through donations and civic involvement.

Daniel Hazewski
dansr@legacyplanningpartners.com

I am a property owner of an old home on Anna Maria Island.  the
taxes are so high now i feel compelled to tear it down for a big place.  it is unfair, especially homeowners of old properties that want to preserve.

Dean Francois
savethestrand@yahoo.com

We own a 2nd home (rental property) in Holmes Beach.  Our taxes are sky-high as this property cannot be homesteaded and rental income does not begin to come close to covering rising expenses.

Patricia and George Bohnenberger
Hillsbough County
pjbohnenberger@verizon.net

Because I believe that property owners vote more than any other group I am starting a new campaign as followers:

  A- I am contacting all property owners in the state and urging them to unite as the largest voting block in the state.

  B- As property owners we must accept the results that none of our elected official are listening to our plea for real tax reform therefore we must sent the message that will count by just simply voting out every incumbent local, county and state official.

  C- This is a call to action! Anyone receiving this message please forward it to as many people as possible using any media form you can to get the work out.

It is my belief that Florida Tax Reform Legislation must be truly meaningful for ALL property owners. Any legislation that you recommend for adoption must contain the following:

1.  Rollback local budgets to year 2000-2001 levels adjusted for inflation and population growth.

2.  Cap all future tax growth to the lesser of 3% or inflation plus population growth.

3.  Allow ONLY voters to overcome the caps.

4.  Remove the exemption for fiscally constrained counties nearly all of them have grown too fast.

5.  Tax commercial properties according to their current use and profitability.

All Florida property owners are suffering. It is only through your thoughtful and careful deliberation over the next few days that true tax reform will become law.

Thank you for your time.

C. Fisher
wesley00755@tampabay.rr.com

As a non-homesteader I still emailed the city, county and school boards about the tax crisis and of course received no response. I am extremely upset with the unfair (undemocratic?) tax situation in Florida. If legal action is necessary, I would hope to also receive restitution for what I consider stolen fundsover the past 3 years. This group has my full support!

Brent Crossfield
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
brent.crossfield@sympatico.ca

I was one of the original three Homeowners Against Runaway Taxation members who donated financially to keep our website up and running.

I'm sure you're well aware of Mr. Christ's property tax proposals of April 26, 2007. There is nothing in his proposal mentioned about the non-resident dilemma. I found this information on the following website:

www.flgov.com/release/8916

I think that we as non-voters will be facing an uphill battle to get relief of any kind.

Paul Picher

Naples Florida

wppicher@comcast.net

Here are his proposals:

GOVERNOR CRIST PROPOSES PROPERTY TAX REFORM PLAN

April 26, 2007  Contact: ERIN ISAAC (850) 488-5394

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today announced his suggestions for reducing the property tax burden by $34 billion on Florida’s homeowners, businesses and renters over a five-year period. The Governor’s proposal would encourage home ownership while also capping runaway spending by local governments.

“This plan would provide immediate relief to both those who are barred from the American dream of owning their first home and those current homeowners who feel unable to move and trapped by skyrocketing property taxes,” Governor Crist said. “By providing immediate relief now along with a plan for future reductions, we can reverse the trend of high property taxes and make living in Florida more affordable.”

Details of the plan include four components, including immediately rolling back local government revenue caps to 2003 levels, with an allowance for inflation and growth. Under the Governor’s proposal, Florida homeowners will benefit from a 12 percent tax cut on their property taxes on their homestead in 2007 and 21.5 percent in 2008. This measure would provide the homeowner of an average-priced home of $290,000 a savings of $340 on their 2007 property taxes. Over five years, each present-day homeowner would save $1,987 in property taxes because property taxes would not continue growing at their current rate.

“The revenues of local governments have ballooned over $17 billion beyond a responsible growth rate during the past five years, taking money out of the taxpayers’ pockets,”

Governor Crist said. “We must give the people of Florida hope that relief from this tax burden is on the way.”

Governor Crist also proposed three additional components that require a constitutional amendment for voter consideration. The constitutional amendment would phase in three additional savings for property owners by 2008:

Provide an additional homestead exemption of $25,000. This measure would provide an additional average savings of $238. In addition to the tax rollback in 2007, the homeowner’s total savings would be an average of $601. If passed by voters in 2007, this property tax savings would begin in 2008.

Make Save Our Homes Portable While Also Providing Assistance to First-Time Home Buyers. Governor Crist proposes making the Save Our Homes cap portable statewide so that homeowners can take their current tax savings with them when they move. In the first year alone, the homeowner who purchases an average-priced home of $290,000 is expected to save an additional $923 in property taxes. If passed by voters in 2007, this property tax savings would apply to individuals who buy homes in 2007 and would affect their 2008 taxes.

Because portability of the Save Our Homes cap applies only to existing homeowners, an additional measure would ensure that first-time home buyers in Florida and new residents to the state would also benefit. Governor Crist recommends providing a 25 percent exemption for first-time home buyers, which would provide a savings of $546, or 11.9 percent.

Exempt the first $25,000 of businesses’ tangible personal property. Businesses would save $200 million annually on this property tax. If passed by voters in 2007, this property tax savings would also begin in 2008. By 2011, this exemption will save businesses a total of $800 million.

“I applaud House Speaker Marco Rubio and Senate President Ken Pruitt and the leadership of the House and Senate for their tireless work on exploring possible ways to reform property taxes,” Governor Crist said. “Now is the time to come together and find a way to relieve the financial burden on our citizens.”

Except for the exemption on businesses’ tangible personal property, Governor Crist’s property tax reform proposals do not affect funding for schools.

Earlier in the week, Governor Crist visited with about 300 citizens in Palm Beach Gardens and about 100 citizens in Orlando during town hall meetings to hear their concerns about rising property taxes. Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp held similar town hall meetings in Punta Gorda and Pensacola.

“We are hearing over and over that Floridians need hope that their property taxes will come down so that they can continue living in Florida,” Lt. Governor Kottkamp said. “This issue is impacting every Floridian, and it is time for us to make changes that will make Florida affordable once again.”

Governor Crist Property Tax Reform Proposal Goals:

Reduce property tax burden on homeowners, businesses and renters

�� Provide immediate, meaningful relief

�� Address inequities in current system

�� Free homeowners trapped in their homes

�� Cap runaway spending

�� Encourage homeownership

        (renters and new residents)

This was originally sent to and published by the editor in the May 7, 2007 edition of the Miami Herald:

All of the plans for property tax reform considered so far by the legislature and the Governor continue to subsidize homestead properties by imposing substantially higher taxes on seasonal residents who require far less in the way of government services.  Local and statewide elected officials seem to be ignoring key economic drivers in Florida – businesses, seasonal visitors, and the general real estate market.  To the extent permitted by the state constitution, proposals for tax reduction should be applied equally for all property owners.  Caps on the yearly increases in taxable assessments should be the same for all properties.  If the residential property tax is to be eliminated, it should be eliminated for all residences.  Although non-resident homeowners and renters cannot vote by ballot, they can and will vote with their feet, much to the detriment of Florida's economy.
 
William H. Levison
Hallandale Beach

Taxes

At first I thought this was funny...then I realized the awful truth of
it.
Keep reading.

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries, then
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers,
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin ,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.

Put these words
upon his tomb,
" Taxes drove me to my doom..."

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (42 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Rental Property Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Sales Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Sales Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago,
and our nation was one of the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in
the
world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What the hell happened? Can you spell "politicians!"

And I still have to "press 1" for English.

I hope this goes around THE USA at least 100 times

Kent Davis, Holmes Beach, FL

I was a snowbird watching my taxes go up thousands of dollars in the last few years. We are now homestead at a very high tax assessment, while my neighbor with a larger home pays $5000 & we pay $14,000 for a smaller home because we were unable to homestead until this year. Why would we want all tax assessments to be frozen at the highest tax year in Florida history. We were hoping a decrease home prices would make our taxes go down. Now they want to freeze everyone at 2005/2006 levels.

I need to tear down my flooded (3 times), 1900 sq ft hurricane home to get to 9 ft sea level. We are at 6.5 feet above sea level and the appraisers office in Martin County said my new modest home that I would build would go up approx. an additional $10,000 & if I use qualiy material I would be assesed at $200.00 per sq. ft and there we are again frozen . We pay $8000 higher now than our neighbor we would then pay approx. $25,000 a year for a 2700 sq ft home simular to neighbor & they will pay $5000 a year just because I need to raise my home so we can sleep at night.

We were unable to buy insurane when we bought our home because of Hurricane Charlie was heading to FL. All damages was paid out of our pocket for all 3 hurricanes. We now do not have insurance on our home and no help from the State of Florida & Martin County is very nasty with me letting me know if I
tear down you will most likely pay thousands more in taxes.

Please send my voice. I will not be able to attend the trip to Tally but I will be tuned in.

Thanks,
Shirley Nieves
Stuart, FL
shirleysellsland@hotmail.com

I sold my house where property taxes went from approximately to $4,000.00 when we bought the house in 1994 to approximately $18,000.00 when we sold the house in 2003. 

For those who are not mathematicians that's a 450% increase in less than 10 years.  This increase took place while my neighbor (who has a very similar house with a Homestead exemption ) taxes were $6,500.00 when we sold our house.