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Fasano: Property Tax Relief ‘Must Be Provided’
By Mike Fasano
NEW PORT RICHEY -- John Adams said, "Property is surely a right of mankind as real as liberty." His words reflect the principles that have guided the Florida Legislature through the process of bringing property tax relief to the people of our state.
The right to property is essential to the American dream, and when that right is threatened by unexpected, unbearable spikes in property taxes, relief must be provided. This week, the Legislature passed a comprehensive constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters, will provide that relief.
One of the key provisions in our relief package allows homeowners to transfer their Save Our Homes tax benefit to a new home. This policy, called portability, will spark Florida's economy with only minimal impact on local government.
When one family downsizes into a smaller home that better meets their needs, thanks to portability, another family can afford to move into the other home. This policy eliminates the "lock-in effect," which has prevented homeowners - often seniors or empty-nesters - from moving into smaller homes as their needs or lifestyles changed.
Portability gives Floridians the freedom to choose where to live and what sort of home to buy based on the needs of their families, not on a failed tax policy.
The amendment also doubles the homestead exemption, providing an additional $25,000 exemption for the value of homestead property above $50,000 (excluding school taxes). This will allow the tax benefit to keep pace with the increased price of housing; more than 94 percent of Florida homeowners will enjoy tax relief under the increased exemption.
If approved by voters, this benefit will provide relief on your next tax bill.
The proposed constitutional amendment creates a new exemption from taxes on tangible personal property of $25,000 and eliminates the need for businesses and owners of manufactured homes to file a return if they have less than $25,000 in tangible personal property. This change will exempt more than 1 million Floridians from this tax, out of 1.2 million who pay it.
Many Floridians actually spent more money complying with related paperwork than they owed in tangible taxes. This proposed amendment will cut away that red tape.
Small-business owners, second-home owners, renters and others will benefit from the fourth component of the Legislature's tax relief plan, which places a 10 percent cap on assessments of nonhomestead properties.
Most nonhomestead property owners have experienced sticker shock when looking at their tax bills in recent years. This cap provides predictability for all properties in Florida; no longer will property owners have to fear unexpected, large assessment spikes.
This legislation reflects the testimony and ideas of many concerned voters across Florida. Now the choice is exactly where it should be - in your hands. On Jan. 29, you, the voter, will have the opportunity to approve this proposed amendment and provide much-needed property tax relief in our state.
The American dream is alive and well in Florida, and this constitutional amendment will ensure that Floridians can continue making that dream a reality in their own lives.
Mike Fasano, a New Port Richey Republican, represents District 11 in the state Senate.
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Provide Health Insurance To Low-Income Children
By Mel Martinez
I support the State Children's Health Insurance Program, known as SCHIP. This is a program that I want to see re-authorized and expanded. I believe it is past time to ensure SCHIP does what it was intended to do and that is provide health insurance for our nation's most vulnerable populations of children.
I support expanding the current SCHIP, but I am opposed to expanding this program beyond the scope of providing insurance for our nation's poor and uninsured children.
Though the current law has taken tremendous steps toward reducing the number of uninsured children in our nation, Florida still has more than 700,000 children who are without health insurance. SCHIP is vital to ensuring these children have access to quality medical care.
We must work harder to insure those in need. What we should not do is push children who already have private coverage into a government-run system.
The bill on its way to the White House expands SCHIP to the point where we're making government-sponsored health care available to households making more than $80,000 a year. By doing this, the bill would open the door to government-sponsored national health care. For those who claim otherwise, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, one of the chief architects of this bill, recently stated that "everyone realizes that the goal of this legislation moves us a giant step further down the road to nationalizing health care."
Let's be clear: This is not a debate over whether we're going to provide health insurance for our nation's low-income children, because we all agree that we will do that. This is a debate over whether we should move to nationalize health care.
The question is whether we want a system of government vs. private health insurance. Is it right to dramatically expand SCHIP to families making $83,000 a year just for the sake of being able to say we're insuring more people?
I support SCHIP. I support the program with the original mission of covering low-income children who do not have health insurance. This bill that we're debating is not that program. It's not even close.
It is bad policy to take a program designed to help poor children and create a new entitlement for households making $83,000 a year -- households that already have access to private coverage. Money set aside for low-income children should be used to cover low-income children.
A real compromise needs to be reached, one that stays true to the spirit of SCHIP, one that finds children currently eligible and signs them up for insurance, a compromise that doesn't simply broaden the program's eligibility so that people in private health insurance are forced to government-sponsored health insurance.
Congress also needs to work on legislation that will help make insurance more affordable. Since the president has signaled his intention to veto this version of SCHIP reauthorization, it is essential that we talk about viable alternatives, plans that would ensure that reauthorization of SCHIP, that expand rather than diminish private health insurance and coverage for children. I have introduced just such a plan -- one that would refocus SCHIP on insuring the poor children of America.
My alternative is composed of two elements. The first element is a full reauthorization of SCHIP with enough funding to cover any eligible child at or below 200 percent of poverty. The second element would implement a child health-care tax credit. Rather than putting more people on a government-run program, we would advance tax credits to families with incomes between 200 percent and 300 percent of the poverty level.
My SCHIP bill contains ideas supported by both sides of this debate. It's also a bill the administration has signaled it can support.
We must work together to ensure access to health care for all low-income children. Focusing the program on low-income children and ensuring that the benefits are actually used for children is important.
Mel Martinez, Florida’s Republican U.S. senator, wrote this commentary for the Orlando Sentinel.
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Pruitt: Florida’s Challenges Being Met Head On
“Floridians will optimistically pull together as we have time and time again.” -- Sen. Pruitt
By Ken Pruitt
TALLAHASSEE -- We Floridians have seen our share of difficulties and disasters, yet time and time again we’ve overcome every challenge.
In 1992, our state was devastated by Hurricane Andrew, the economy was cooling, and we were faced with a $1 billion deficit. Florida pulled together, and over time we had a restored insurance market, an improved housing market, and a budget that went from deficits to hundreds of millions in surpluses.
On September 11, 2001, acts of terrorism sent a financial and emotional ripple across thousands of miles. Florida’s tourism industry was nearly shut down and our state economy suffered greatly. Our response was swift: we made tough budget cuts, rejected tax increases, and in a short time experienced a revitalization marked by substantial economic growth and prosperity in Florida.
Today, we are again in the midst of difficult circumstances: high property taxes, 8 major hurricanes in 24 months that turned our insurance market upside-down, and an economy turbulently bumping through a time of correction. The need for relief is real and expectations are high. The cynics would have you believe that we are on a downward spiral with no chance of recovery, but they are wrong. We have hope.
Under the strong and proactive leadership of Governor Crist, we are meeting the challenges head-on. It’s only been two months since the initial wave of tax relief passed, yet for the first time in several years most property owners have seen a drop in their taxes - a stark contrast to the double digit spikes that have devastated so many homeowners across the state. Is it enough relief? No. Have we realized the full benefit of these changes? Not yet.
This January, voters will have the opportunity to authorize further tax reductions and mandate a tax cap on local governments. Floridians will be given an active role in the effort to lower their taxes.
While the message may not be popular, it must be told: a turn around in the real estate market, lower insurance rates and lower property taxes are going to take time. Our state, like a trauma patient, was in crisis. Like a doctor, we needed to do everything we could to stop the bleeding before healing could take place. Florida will recover from the problems brought on by an economic downturn and natural disasters. The policies and changes that are in place have already yielded initial relief, and I am confident that the benefits will only increase.
Floridians will optimistically pull together as we have time and time again. I truly believe our best days are ahead.
Ken Pruitt, R- Port St. Lucie, is president of the Florida Senate.
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Sinkhole Bill Saves Residents Money Letter to the editor/Tampa Tribune
By Mike Fasano
Regarding, 'Sinkhole Deal Could Put Pasco, Hernando Residents in Bigger Hole' (Opinion, Aug. 8). I wholeheartedly disagree with the editorialist's statement that the governor and the Legislature have made the sinkhole insurance situation worse for residents of Pasco and Hernando counties. Quite the opposite is true. The intention and the result of changes to Citizens Property Insurance Company's sinkhole policy are to provide immediate relief to the vast majority of residents who do not have any worries about sinkhole damage.
The ability of Citizens to launch opt-in sinkhole coverage in these two counties will be to give residents an immediate decrease in insurance premiums (40% or more should be expected). If a homeowner chooses to reinstate full sinkhole coverage, the premium will only return to the level that it is now. Because the Legislature froze rates earlier this year the homeowner will not pay any more than he or she pays now.
People must remember that the sinkhole problem in these two counties is one of claims, not actual sinkholes. Certain local sinkhole attorneys and public adjusters have made a good living playing off of peoples' fears of sinkholes. Cracks in walls or sidewalks led to countless claims and huge settlements with Citizens. Those settlements led to the huge increases in premiums that have burdened residents of Pasco & Hernando. The sinkhole option gives individuals the power to decide for themselves if they want to pay high and often unnecessary premiums or lower, more affordable premiums.
Whether one chooses to take the optional full sinkhole coverage or not, catastrophic groundcover collapse will still be a requirement so all insured residents will be covered should the unthinkable happen.
I believe that the only way residents of Pasco and Hernando counties were going to see any meaningful insurance relief was by creating the sinkhole option. Residents are intelligent people who can decide for themselves regarding their budget and what level of coverage they may want.
Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, is a state Senator from District 11, which includes parts of Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas counties.
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Thinking About Florida’s Energy Future
By Seth McKeel
LAKELAND -- These are exciting times for Florida’s future with respect to energy resources. Both the governor and the legislature are taking strides to implement policies that make Florida’s Energy Policy an example to the rest of the country. As a member of the energy committee in the House of Representatives, I would like to share with you where I think we should be headed with regards to alternative energy and fuel.
Currently, more than half of our state’s energy needs are met through natural gas. While this is a clean energy source, this fuel is marked by volatile pricing which is damaging to consumer’s budgets.
I feel that one of the best ways to meet emission reduction standards while stabilizing our energy market is to make Nuclear power a key component in our state’s energy portfolio. Currently, Progress Energy and other Florida utilities are developing plans for Nuclear reactors in our state. However, due to a long permitting process, these facilities will not be operational for at least another decade.
There needs to be interim technology to fill our State’s energy needs as we progress to towards these long term solutions. Additionally, when used in conjunction with agricultural based fuels, energy efficiency measures can help us meet our energy needs by reducing waste.
Polk County has led the way in both areas and continues to do so. A great example of this is the Integrated Coal Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) facility in Polk County that allows coal to burn more cleanly and efficiently than a tradition coal plant. As it currently stands, Florida has access to a coal supply that could conservatively last for several hundred years. This domestic energy supply is significantly cheaper than other sources at this time, and should be considered as we transition to more renewable fuel sources.
Also, there is currently an Ethanol plant operating in Bartow in addition to a bio diesel facility plant in Lakeland. Our area’s agriculture industry makes us prime candidates in growing and processing these renewable and alternative fuel sources.
While all of these resources are proving more viable everyday, I believe our state should have an open conversation about the costs related to meeting our energy needs. I will continue to promote that conversation while serving on the House Energy Committee and welcome your input and comments on this critical issue for Florida. I appreciate every opportunity that you have given me to serve you.
State Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland, serves on the energy committee in the Florida House of Representatives
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Tax Cuts Increase Revenues And Reduce Budget Deficit
“If tax cuts boost revenues, create jobs and grow the economy, why in the world would we raise taxes?”
By Vern Buchanan
WASHINGTON -- It has been an honor for me to represent you in Congress these past few months. As you know, I’m a businessman, not a career politician. I’ve tried to bring a common-sense, business-like approach to Washington.
Allowing Americans to keep more of their money by reducing taxes has led to a strong and growing economy and produced record growth in revenues. Keeping taxes low and holding the line on spending will help us reach our goal of a balanced budget by 2012.
Tax receipts have increased nearly 35 percent since 2003 and the deficit dropped by $165 billion in the last two years.
If tax cuts boost revenues, create jobs and grow the economy, why in the world would we raise taxes? Yet that's what a lot of them in Washington now want to do. If government spends beyond its means, why would we continue down that road instead of tightening our belt like every American family? It has to stop.
I cosponsored legislation to permanently extend tax cuts for working families. The Tax Relief for Families Act would amend the tax code to make permanent a number of important middle-class tax cuts, including the sales tax deduction, the child tax credit, the repeal of the marriage penalty, and the deduction to help pay for higher education.
Thanks to the tax cuts, federal revenues were up 5.45 % in 2004, 14.55% in 2005, and 11.76% in 2006. For the first seven months of fiscal year 2007, which began on October 1, 2006, revenue collections are at an all time high. In April, the federal government collected $386.6 billion in revenues– the largest monthly tax collection on record. As a result, the federal deficit continues to fall, down $103 billion from this time last year.
In addition to increasing federal revenues, the tax cuts have helped create jobs and encourage investment.
Tax relief has helped sustain 44 consecutive months of job growth. More than 7.8 million jobs have been created since 2003, with more than 1.8 million jobs created over the twelve months ending in April.
Further demonstrating the benefits of lower taxes, the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a historic high in April, crossing the 13,000 mark for the first time. Since 2003, U.S. markets have increased by nearly 50 percent -- increasing by 20 percent in 2006 alone.
Despite this undeniable progress, the House-passed budget, which I strongly opposed, includes the largest tax increase in U.S. history. Not only will this mean an average $3,145 tax hike for the average taxpayer in Florida’s 13th Congressional District, it threatens to derail our economy and send our deficit in the wrong direction.
Lower taxes have boosted the economy and generated record revenues, but we will not balance the budget unless we also control spending.
The first bill I introduced as your Congressman was a Balanced Budget Amendment to the United States Constitution. Each year since 1969, Congress has spent more money than it has taken in. We need to force Congress to make the tough choices necessary to balance the budget for taxpayers today and for future generations. If 49 states can do it, they ought to be able to do it in Washington.
Allowing Americans to keep more of their money has led to a strong and growing economy and produced record levels of tax revenues. Keeping taxes low and holding the line on spending will help us reach our goal of a balanced budget by 2012.
Vern Buchanan, R-Florida, represents the 13th congressional district which includes Manatee, Hardee, DeSoto, Sarasota and Charlotte counties. See http://buchanan.house.gov/
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Tax Credit Proposed To Harden Buildings From Storms
By Gus Bilirakis
WASHINGTON -- Last week provided a deadly reminder about the awesome power of Mother Nature and her ability to instantly uproot homes and disrupt lives. Unfortunately, Floridians constantly receive such reminders - generally in, the form of hurricanes. While the summer of 2006 provided the state and its residents with much need relief from natural disasters, the fact remains, our state has and will continue to endure the wrath of Mother Nature.
As a life long resident of this great state I am well aware of the devastation wrought by hurricanes. For this reason, I have introduced H.R. 913 to provide tax incentives to home and business owners to upgrade and modernize their building in order to reduce the loss of innocent lives and destruction of private property during these disasters.
Specifically, H.R. 913 would allow a tax credit of 25 percent, not to exceed $5,000, to cover the following expenditures: 1) improving the strength of the roof attachment; 2) creating a secondary water barrier to prevent water intrusion; 3) improving the durability of a roof covering; 4) bracing gable-end walls; 5) reinforcing the connection between a roof and supporting wall; 6) protecting openings from penetration by windborne debris; and, 7) protecting exterior doors and garages.
In order to ensure that this tax break achieves it goal and targets the neediest of our citizens, the credit would only apply to homes valued at under $1 million and businesses valued at under $5 million.
Additionally, I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to establish an interstate compact that will allow the states to create a shared disaster relief fund and therefore better manage the financial damages wrought by these acts of nature.
The interstate compact that I am proposing will create a shared fund between states most frequently impacted by natural disasters such as hurricanes. Here in Florida, where insurance rates are spiraling out of control, such a fund is necessary to reign in costs. The interstate compact would reduce insurance rates for everyone by alleviating some of the financial burden that falls squarely on the shoulders of the insurance companies. These savings would then be passed on to consumers through lower insurance rates and premiums. Reducing insurance costs would put more money in Floridians' wallets and make home ownership a reality for more people.
While Florida escaped the last hurricane season unscathed, last week's tornados and thunderstorms were an ominous reminder that Mother Nature can be an unparalleled force of destruction. And with the next hurricane season only a few months away, the time to act is now.
In addition to working with my colleagues in Congress, I am excited by the possibility of working in conjunction with Governor Crist, who has some interesting ideas to reduce the growing financial strain that the current insurance system places on Floridians. Together, I believe we can reduce insurances costs, put more money in people's wallets, and most importantly, greatly improve the safety of every resident of Florida during a natural disaster.
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis represents Florida's Ninth District http://www.bilirakis.house.gov/
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Senate Bill takes aim at violent felons
Anti-Murder Act Needed To Protect Citizens
By Paula Dockery
LAKELAND -- Probation is a privilege, it is not a right. When a convicted felon is put on probation after serving the majority of his time in prison, he is given a second chance to re-enter society and enjoy his freedom. With that opportunity for a second chance there are rules to follow. When these rules or conditions of probation are not adhered to, the individual should not be allowed yet another chance, especially if he is a violent felon.
Criminals who make a mockery out of the protections afforded them under due process in our criminal justice system need to understand that we as a society will not tolerate it. While we are a forgiving society and believe in punishment, rehabilitation and second chances, we also believe that if the opportunity is met with a blatant disregard of the conditions set forth in the terms of their probation or worse yet, the commission of a new crime, that individual should not be able to enjoy the privilege of probation or community control.
Government's primary responsibility is to protect its citizens. When an alleged murderer/rapist/child molester is arrested, we shake our heads and wonder if someone should have seen the potential danger in that individual. When we learn that that felon was out on probation and was free to commit a horrendous act, that emotion turns to outrage that this senseless tragedy could have been avoided.
Senate Bill 146, which creates the Anti-Murder Act, is our response to that outrage. It simply says that if a violent felony offender abuses his second chance while on probation or community control by violating the terms of his release or commits a new crime, that felon will be arrested and jailed until the resolution of the hearing on the violation. The court must determine if the offender poses a danger to the community, and if so, the court must revoke probation or community control and sentence the offender up to the statutory maximum.
By keeping dangerous felons out of our communities, we help our brave men and women in law enforcement to prevent murders and other violent crimes against our citizens, particularly our children who are the most vulnerable to habitual sex offenders. While some say the cost is too high, we must ask: "What is the price of a human life particularly a young innocent child who has so much promise?"
The primary responsibility of government is to protect its citizens - Governor Charlie Crist and the State Legislature, through the Anti-Murder Act, take that responsibility very seriously.
Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, is a state Senator who represents parts of Hernando, Lake, Osceola, Polk, and Sumter counties.
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Students Should Learn History From Fact Rather Than Opinion
“All we want is our children to know the facts before they formulate opinions on historical events.” -- Sen. Mike Fasano
By Mike Fasano
NEW PORT RICHEY -- There has been some concern expressed about Florida’s A legislation and it’s relation to teaching history. These concerns were most recently expressed in an article from the Naples Daily News regarding problems with the bill language according to a group of historians.
The language in question declares that “American history shall be viewed as factual, not as constructed, shall be viewed as knowable, teachable and testable, and shall be defined as the creation of a new nation based largely on the universal principals stated in the Declaration of Independence.”
One of the main arguments expressed against the language is the belief that history will not be able to be taught in schools without critical analysis, which some believe would water down the lessons learned from history.
I disagree with this notion because the goal of this language was not to water down history lessons. The purpose of this legislation was to allow Florida students the right to learn history in its purest form, drawn from fact rather than opinion.
Many times, a student is taught history lessons based on how the teacher interprets the events surrounding the lesson. While the opinion of the teacher is important, the student should be taught the history based on fact only, if nothing else than to keep the curriculum uniform as the student moves from one history class to another.
If a student learns a history lesson in one class based on the teacher’s analysis of the events and then takes another history class the next year where the teacher’s opinion of the subject matter is the compete opposite of the previous teacher, the student now has to learn two versions of the same historical events.
This is not to say that debate and historical analysis are not important, nor unnecessary. In my opinion, history should spark a lot of healthy debate. Students should be able to formulate their own opinions over the reasons behind historical events. Teaching history based on solely on fact will ensure that it is their own opinion that is forming and not the sole notion of the teacher.
Once the history is taught based on fact, then the class can start to put the events into perspectives, which will incite debate based on unbiased facts. This is the ultimate goal of the language: to provide students with a fair view of factual happenings of historical events, so that in time, with the guidance of the teacher, the student can formulate their own opinions of history.
If a teacher wants to give his or her opinion on the subject matter, which I think is a great thing, I believe they should specify that it is in fact their opinion and make that fact clear in order to maintain the unbiased fact. I say this with great respect and admiration to teachers because teachers are some of the greatest people our children grow up with.
In a college environment, it is very common for a whole class to be taught based on the opinion of the professor. The lectures are derived from the interpretations of the professor and the students are tested on how well they have retained that knowledge.
This is fine for a college or university level curriculum because students, at this point, should have learned the basics of history from their public school educations and should therefore know the facts on which the curriculum of this particular class is based.
However, if the student was taught the history in middle or high school based on what his or her teacher thought it should be, it will be that much harder for the student to adjust to the college class because he or she was not given the pure facts of the historical events.
The language regarding history in the A initiative was not meant to limit teachers in the way they interpret history. It merely gives our students a chance to first learn the material based on fact, which will lead to debate and analysis, as is usually the case. All we want is our children to know the facts before they formulate opinions on historical events.
Mike Fasano is a Republican State Senator from District 11, which covers parts of Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, and Pinellas counties.
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Property Tax Crisis
Rubio: Legislature Passed ‘Historic’ Tax Relief
“We have a simple message for Florida property owners: help is on the way.”
By Marco Rubio
TALLAHASSEE -- Yesterday the Legislature passed a historic property tax relief and reform package that will cut property taxes for property owners in Florida by almost $32 billion statewide over the next five years.
We have a simple message for Florida’s property owners: help is on the way. The $32 billion in relief will make a real difference in the lives of Floridians – this isn’t just a first step forward, it is the first giant leap forward – still, I believe more can be done. There is more waste that can be cut from government, government can provide greater value to the taxpayers, there are more taxpayer protections that must be put in place, and there are greater tax savings that this Legislature can provide to Floridians.
The centerpiece of the plan is the constitutional amendment that Florida voters will vote on January 29, 2008. House Joint Resolution 3B will provide the greatest savings for Florida’s homeowners by creating a “Super Homestead” exemption which will provide an average 44 percent reduction on most home-owners tax bills. The constitutional amendment eliminates inequities in our current property tax system, provides Tangible Personal Property (TPP) tax relief to Florida’s businesses and eliminates 77 percent - more than $1 million – of Florida’s small businesses from the TPP tax rolls, helps businesses by pumping more money into our economy, and helps non-homestead owners by lowering the barriers to homeownership, and lets property owners choose how their homes will be taxed in the future.
The property tax relief and reform package approved yesterday also includes a statutory tax relief bill, House Bill 1B, that will immediately cut taxes and cap future tax increases for all property owners; limit local governments’ ability to unnecessarily raise taxes in the future; and provide immediate savings to homeowners, second homeowners, and commercial property owners.
The only limits to our future success as a state are the unfair limits government applies to our people through unnecessary taxation – it will be the charge of the House of Representatives, as long as I preside over it, to destroy those barriers to prosperity.
Marco Rubio, R-Coral Gables, is Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
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