Property Taxes, Part ?????

Next week, the legislature heads back into special session to readdress the property tax issue. Let's look at what's being written lately.

'...Overall, though, the property-tax revenue of Florida's city and county governments has been rising at a rate much faster than the state's population, a trend that critics see as a sign of a bloated bureaucracy. In 2006, the state collected $30.5 billion in property taxes, almost double the level of 2000. Over the same period, the state's population grew by about 13%'
- The Wall Street Journal, 5/29/2007

'The value of homes and business property in Central Florida continuesto increase by double-digit percentages, county officials are reporting, adding further fuel to legislative efforts to dramatically slash property taxes..
...At current tax rates, Orange and Lake counties could see roughly 17 percent spikes in revenues, based largely on a sharp increase in new housing, condo and business construction. In Osceola County, the spike was almost 20 percent, and about 11.5 percent in Seminole. Property values in the city of St. Cloud shot up 31 percent. Even local government officials, who have protested for months that proposed legislative reforms would slash money needed for police, fire and other necessary services, acknowledged that the increases underscored the need to cut taxes, at least somewhat. "I've said we need to do some tax reform at the county level," Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty said. At this year's millage rate, Orange County next year would collect an additional $79 million in discretionary revenue alone.'
_ Orlando Sentinel, 6/1/2007

'[Sen. Mike Haridopolos] predicted industries relying on city and county spending would follow the money to a private sector that he said is certain to surge after tax cuts are OK'd. "These professions have been doing a lot of work with local governments because that's where the money is the last few years," he said.'
-Orlando Sentinel, 6/4/2007

Stay tuned, folks. This is sure to be a lively debate, if we can get the local media to stop devoting the front page and first 5 minutes of each broadcast to "who will be the next Orlando Magic coach."

As always, your comments are welcome!