TheManatee County based Coalition Against Runaway Taxation (CART) has announced that it will focus its multi-county efforts to support a ballot initiative sponsored by Cut Taxes Now, Inc. that will cap all property taxes at 1.35% of a parcel's taxable value.

"When passed, this 1.35% initiative means that all properties - commercial, rental, homesteaded or non homestead - will be uniformly taxed at no more than 1.35% of their taxable value. It also means that most homes protected by the Save Our Homes (SOH) Amendment will enjoy increased tax savings through this lower tax rate, in addition to maintaining all the existing SOH benefits," said Don Schroder, President of CART.

"For the first time grassroots organizations from across the state have agreed upon a formula that will provide significant tax relief to all owners of real property," continued Schroder. "It actually limits the amount a property may be taxed after deducting the SOH and other exemptions. It provides for a level playing field, more equitably distributes the ad valorem taxation of property and cut taxes an average of 26% statewide."

CART welcomes the endorsement of Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio (R -Miami) who sent an e-mail to members of various grassroots organizations stating that the Speaker "encourages each of you to support a grassroots petition drive...(for a plan that) calls for a maximum tax of 1.35% of the taxable value of a parcel of property. This plan is simple, it applies to all properties, it keeps Save Our Homes and it cuts almost $8 billion in property taxes."

It is has always been CART's opinion that a true tax reform should address the current level of burdensome taxation & inequities and provide fair treatment for all stakeholders in Florida's economic future. Schroder indicated that CART believes that the 1.35% initiative will accomplish much of the group's strategic goals. "It is the best of the initiatives out there and we are going to mobilize all our contacts throughout the Suncoast and the State to put their effort behind " 1.35" to get the necessary petitions to place it on the ballot," Schroder concluded.

Full information on the 1.35% initiative is available at the group's website www.CARTonline.com. CART is asking all registered Florida voters to visit their website, sign the petition and mail it to the address listed on the petition.

"When passed, this 1.35% initiative means that all properties - commercial, rental, homesteaded or non homestead - will be uniformly taxed at no more than 1.35% of their taxable value. It also means that most homes protected by the Save Our Homes (SOH) Amendment will enjoy increased tax savings through this lower tax rate, in addition to maintaining all the existing SOH benefits," said Don Schroder, President of CART.

"For the first time grassroots organizations from across the state have agreed upon a formula that will provide significant tax relief to all owners of real property," continued Schroder. "It actually limits the amount a property may be taxed after deducting the SOH and other exemptions. It provides for a level playing field, more equitably distributes the ad valorem taxation of property and cut taxes an average of 26% statewide."

CART welcomes the endorsement of Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio (R -Miami) who sent an e-mail to members of various grassroots organizations stating that the Speaker "encourages each of you to support a grassroots petition drive...(for a plan that) calls for a maximum tax of 1.35% of the taxable value of a parcel of property. This plan is simple, it applies to all properties, it keeps Save Our Homes and it cuts almost $8 billion in property taxes."

It is has always been CART's opinion that a true tax reform should address the current level of burdensome taxation & inequities and provide fair treatment for all stakeholders in Florida's economic future. Schroder indicated that CART believes that the 1.35% initiative will accomplish much of the group's strategic goals. "It is the best of the initiatives out there and we are going to mobilize all our contacts throughout the Suncoast and the State to put their effort behind " 1.35" to get the necessary petitions to place it on the ballot," Schroder concluded.

Full information on the 1.35% initiative is available at the group's website www.CARTonline.com. CART is asking all registered Florida voters to visit their website, sign the petition and mail it to the address listed on the petition.