Did you know that Florida voters will be voting on new tax proposals in the Nov. Election. The Tax and Budget Reform Commission, which meets every 20 years, has passed seven constitutional proposals which will be added to the 2008 General Election ballot on November 4, 2008. We, the voters of Florida will have the opportunity to vote on these following proposals. This is my understanding of these proposals in hopes that we will all be informed by Nov.
Tax Exemption for Wind Hardening and Renewable Energy Creation
Improvements Not Affecting the Assessed Value of Residential Real Property
This would allow the Legislature to exempt from the assessed value of residential homes, improvements made to protect property from wind damage and installation of a new renewable energy source device. You will be able to improve your home to protect it from wind damage or install devices for renewable energy and it will be exempt from the assessed value of your home.
Working Waterfront
Assessments of Working Waterfront Properties Based on Current Use
This would assess specified working waterfront properties based on current use rather than highest and best use. This includes:
- Use of land predominantly for commercial fishing purposes;
- Public accessible land used for vessel launches;
- Marinas and dry storage that are open to the public; and
- Water dependant marine manufacturing facilities.
Tax Exemption for Conservation Property
Property Tax Exemption of Perpetually Conserved Land; Classification and Assessment of Land for Conservation
This would provide a property tax exemption for real property which is perpetually used for conservation. Also, for land not perpetually encumbered, the Legislature would be required to provide classification and assessment of land use for conservation purposes solely on the basis of character or use (like agriculture is today).
Public Funding for Religious Institutions
Religious Freedom
This would change the state's power to spend funds directly or indirectly for religious institutions. The language in the Constitution would be replaced with language that would prevent the state from excluding individuals and entities from a generally available public benefit or a contract which would provide government services on the basis of religion.
Community College Funding
A Local Option For Community College Funding
This would allow a local optional sales tax by local referendum to add to funding for public community colleges. Approved taxes would sunset after five years.
Tax Swap - State Required School Property Tax Replaced with Equivalent State Revenues to Fund Education
This would eliminate the required local effort portion of property taxes by 2010, (estimated to be $9 billion).
It requires the legislature to replace this portion by either:
- Eliminating sales tax exemptions;
- Increasing sales tax up to one penny;
- Sending reductions; or
- Other taxes.
This proposal also includes a five percent assessment cap on non-homesteaded property.
Sixty-five Percent on Classroom Instruction and Education Funding for School Choice Programs
65 Percent of School Funding required for Classroom Instruction
This would require at least 65 percent of school funding received by school districts be spent on classroom instruction, and not on administration.
This proposal also provides that the requirement for a "uniform, efficient, safe, secure and high quality system of free public schools" is a minimum non-exclusive duty. This proposals reverse the legal precedent prohibiting public funding of private school alternatives to public school programs without creating an entitlement.
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