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Real Estate Blog

March 3rd, 2008 9:40 PM

TAXPAYER'S BILL OF RIGHTS: " Sound Public Policy for Florida' s Future"

Florida needs to become more efficient as our population increases. Public employees have increased at almost twice the rate of population. Floridians are struggling to survive rising property taxes, fees, insurance costs, interest rates, inflation, and gasoline prices.

This amendment will restore the necessary balance between wants and needs in local government. We must rein in government's ability to raise taxes unrestrained by law.

We have been endorsed by the National Taxpayer's Union. This is because they understand that a Taxpayer's Bill of Rights is an important engine for economic growth that will attract jobs and prosperity to any state that adopts such a responsible policy.

Here are the main goals:

Voters should be allowed to decide if a new tax or fee is appropriate.

Limiting taxes to increases in population plus inflation, and rollback current taxes (including property taxes ) to the fiscal year 2004-2005, than allows for increases in population plus inflation. Requires voter approval for overrides, or new revenue sources.

Establish Florida as the most attractive state for businesses, investors, and manufacturing.

Attract new opportunities and jobs by establishing fiscal responsibility in Florida.

Increase home ownership in Florida by lowering property tax burdens throughout the state.

Reverse the economic decline in the real estate market, and lower monthly payments for property taxes, included in mortgagees.

Alleviate the sub-prime foreclosure crisis due to inability to make current payments, by lowering monthly payments for property taxes, included in mortgages.

Restore Florida's reputation, now damaged by the property tax crisis, by reducing and controlling property taxes statewide, as well as all other revenue sources.

Provide economic stimulus by returning billions in revenues, collected in excess of revenue limitations.

State and local governments have deep pockets, and can afford fiscal discipline.

Just the State: Financial Analysis of the State as a Whole Analysis of Condensed Statement of Net Assets

"The State's Condensed Statement of Net Assets as of June 30, 2006, and 2005, derived from the government-wide Statement of Net Assets. The assets of the State exceeded its liabilities (net assets) at the close of the fiscal year by $50.3 billion for governmental activities and by $5.8 billion for business-type activities, for a combined total of $56.1 billion for the primary government. The three components of net assets include invested in capital assets, net of related debt; restricted; and unrestricted. The largest component, totaling $50.4 billion as of June 30, 2006, reflects its investment in capital assets, net of related debt. The State uses these capital assets to provide services to the citizens and businesses in the State; consequently, these net assets are not available for future spending. Restricted net assets are the next largest component, totaling $12.6 billion as of June 30, 2006. Restricted net assets represent resources that are subject to external restrictions, constitutional provisions, or enabling legislation on how they can be used."

CLICK ON LINK (NEW) PROPOSAL FOR A TAXPAYER'S BILL OF RIGHTS

ACTION REQUIRED NOW FOR NOVEMBER 2008 BALLOT

CUT & CAP TAXES INCLUDING PROPERTY TAXES

PLEASE CONTACT THE TBRC NOW:

TELL THEM TO PUT FLORIDA BALLOT INITIATIVE'S TAXPAYER'S BILL OF RIGHTS ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT!

If you have stories to share about waste and bureaucratic mess, please include them. They need to hear the stories!
PLEASE! Write (letters are best!), fax, email or call the members of the TBRC.
Also, write your newspapers, contact your TV stations and local cable news channels.
Call your local talk radio shows.
You can write or fax all members at:

2007-08 Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission
Holland Building, Suite 245
600 S. Calhoun Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1300
Fax (850) 921-0492

Ask that your letters are forwarded to all members.

You can call the TBRC Office @ (850) 921-8905

The following is a list of the TBRC members, their home towns and their email addresses. If you actually know these people, contact them personally. Massive amounts of identical emails are only marginally helpful. Stories are best.

Allan Bense, Chairman – Panama City - allan.bense@floridatbrc.org

James A. Scott, Vice Chairman–Ft Lauderdale-jamesa.scott@floridatbrc.org

Hoyt "Barney" Barnett – Lakeland - barney.barnett@floridatbrc.org

Martha W. Barnett – Tallahassee - martha.barnett@floridatbrc.org

R. Mark Bostick – Auburndale - mark.bostick@floridatbrc.org

Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte – Tallahassee - t.dalember@floridatbrc.org

Mike Hogan – Jacksonville - mike.hogan@floridatbrc.org

Julia Johnson – Windermere - julia.johnson@floridatbrc.org

Bruce Kyle – Ft. Myers - bruce.kyle@floridatbrc.org

Carlos Lacasa – Miami - carlos.lacasa@floridatbrc.org

Patricia Levesque – Tallahassee - patricia.levesque@floridatbrc.org

Alan Levine – Ft. Lauderdale - alan.levine@floridatbrc.org