Amendment 1 passage is one step toward property tax relief and sends message

The approval of Amendment 1 is another step toward tax reform.

The passing of Amendment 1 on Jan. 29 sends a clear message that the citizens of Florida want Property Tax Relief. This is just another step in providing the relief that homeowners, businesses, families and seniors so desperately need. I still believe there is more to be done to reform the unfair and inequitable property tax system.

The vote shows that the people of Florida stand with us in our fight for tax reform. More can and must be done to address the issues of unfair taxation and needless spending that are making our state increasingly unaffordable.

Many groups tried to use scare tactics to convince people to vote against Amendment 1. People are concerned that local governments can provide the necessary services of fire and police. Just as families have to prioritize their budgets when costs increase, local government must do the same. It is clear that twothirds of our voters want property taxes reduced and we must all work to finance basic services in some other manner.

Ford

In June, the legislature passed a revenue cap to prevent local governments from instituting large tax increases. It will take the cooperation of legislators in Tallahassee and local government officials to complete the vital goal of reforming Florida's broken property tax system.

The doubling of the homestead exemption will give some relief to homeowners, but the most important provision of the Amendment is portability. Allowing people to take their Save-Our- Homes savings with them when they move, ends the situation of people being trapped in their home. It is our hope that this will help spur the sluggish real estate market.

More needs to be done to help non-homestead property owners. The 10 percent cap gives them some predictability but they have seen large increases in their taxes and deserve more relief. We in the legislature will continue to work to provide greater relief, and we look forward to the recommendations from the Tax and Budget Reform Commission. These recommendations should come out in May in order to be put on the November ballot for approval by voters.

The recent history of the property tax reduction effort saw the Florida Legislature statutorily reducing property tax in 2007 as a first step. The second step happened when two thirds of the voter on January 29th said, "we want more tax relief" by amending the state constitution. The third step will be additional legislative action in the March-April legislative session and/or action for true tax reform by the Tax Reform Commission's recommendations for constitutional action by the voters in November 2008. Elected Official contact

Contact Rep. Ford's District 3 office, located at 1804 W. Garden Street, Pensacola, by calling 850-595-5550 or visiting www.myfloridahouse.gov/Secti ons/Representatives/emailrepresentative. aspx?MemberId=44 09&SessionId=57.