State Legislators in Tallahassee are currently working on the property tax issue, a subject of considerable interest to many people in Florida, including the Pinellas beach communities.
Tuesday, the House of Representatives debated four bills dealing with this issue. They were HB 7001, HJR 7089, HB 261, and HB 1483. Each of these bills addresses a different area of the issue. House members worked into the evening, Tuesday. The bills each have several amendments attached, and these must be considered.
Interest is high statewide, and about 300 people from throughout the state came to the Capitol, Tuesday, to voice their opinions to Legislators. The crowd was supporting a Republican plan being offered in the House. The plan would take about $6 billion from Florida cities and counties and let citizens move to a bigger sales tax instead of property tax. Gov. Charlie Crist came to the courtyard and spoke to the crowd, saying that help was on the way.
A vote on the House plan was supposed to take place sometime Wednesday. All four bills deal with property taxes are expected to be voted on, Wednesday. The proposal would do away with property taxes on residences and substitute a jump in sales tax.
The plan was expected to pass, Wednesday, but the Senate has other ideas in mind. The Senate does not want to increase the sales tax. It will probably be Friday, before the Senate votes on their proposal. The Senate plan is also set up with four bills. They are: PCS SB 1020, SJR 3034, PCS for SB 1022, and PCS SB 560.
If the House and Senate pass two different bills, then each chamber will select several members, probably six each, and these people will meet to try and hammer out an acceptable plan.
Officials at the county level are closely watching events in Tallahassee. Some question whether the issue can be resolved in a 60-day Legislative session. Taxes and insurance are two of the main issues Legislators are dealing with, and the May 4 closing of the regular session is looming. Lawmakers are also required to pass the state budget during the session.
