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Local debate set on Amendment 5
SPC to host key political forum
By TOM GERMOND
Article published on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008 |
SEMINOLE – A debate on a proposed constitutional amendment that may have sweeping effects on the state’s taxation system has been scheduled for Aug. 7 at the St. Petersburg College Seminole campus.
Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, will speak in opposition to the amendment, which would replace school property taxes with other sources of revenue, and he has asked a former state Senate president and proponent of the measure, John McKay, to debate the issue with him.
The public is invited to the debate, which is 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Digitorium of the college’s University Paternship Center, 9200 113th St. N., a spokesman for the college said.
Haridopolos is the leader of Protect Florida’s Future, a coalition of Florida’s seniors, educators, health care providers, farmers and small and large businesses dedicated to defeating Amendment 5.
Protect Florida’s Future contends that the amendment would jeopardize the state’s education system and create an uncertain business climate, leading to new taxes on cars, water and utility bills. The organization questions what taxes will be increased to raise the $11 billion required to replace the revenue taken from education.
“Amendment 5 would affect Florida’s economy on every level, and it is important that voters hear this discussion firsthand so that they can decide if it is truly the right choice for our education system and our economy,” Haridopolos said in a press release.
“We believe that once voters have a chance to examine all of the facts, they will recognize Amendment 5 for the bait and switch that it is,” he said.
McKay is a Bradenton real estate broker. He also was a member of the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which placed the measure on the ballot. He could not be reached for comment.
Among the leading advocates of the amendment is Give Me Five for Florida’s Future Inc., which is backed by the Florida Association of Realtors.
The organization said on its Web site that adoption of the amendment would stimulate the economy and increase the liquidity and spendable income of millions of property owners.
Florida’s Future Inc. said that property owners pay a disproportionate share of taxes – as compared to renters – to schools, and argues that the amendment “also pressures legislators to get serious about tapping stable and lucrative revenue sources for schools such as Internet sales.”
“Amendment 5 will provide much-needed tax relief to Florida’s seniors, many of whom fear losing their homes because of our inability to pay higher property taxes on a fixed income,” the Web site said.
Florida TaxWatch on July 24 said that the amendment will likely result in a tax increase.
Eliminating the required local effort from property taxes to fund education would require replacing it with “increased sales taxes and anticipating a substantial increase in the base of what is not currently tax,” said the nonprofit government watchdog.
Among other organizations opposed to the amendment are Associated Industries of Florida, AARP and the Florida School Board Association.
Besides the Florida Association of Realtors, Amendment 5 has the support of state Rep. Frank Attkisson, R-Kissimmee, and Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg.
Nine other similar debates across the state on Amendment 5 have been scheduled.
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Article published on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008
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