Headline Surfer photo by Serafina Frederick / Ellen Darden, shown at far right, prepares to ask questions about Amendment 4 of state senate dist. 8 candidates Dorothy Hukill and Frank Bruno before the start of the public candidate debate between the two at the Brannon Center in New Smyrna Beach on Oct 20, sponsored by Headline Surfer. At the table with Darden is Dana Doughterty Swanson and Henry Frederick, editor /publisher of Headline Surfer and moderator of the debate. Darden and Swanson both write political columns for the 24/7 Internet newspaper.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Florida Constitutional Amendment 4 will appear on your ballot in the general election along with 10 other amendments. Of them all, this is the one with the greatest potential to reboot our State’s economy and revive the housing market.
You may have been exposed to some negative positions on the amendment, largely from local government staff or elected officials. Allow me to give you another perspective on Amendment 4, one defending its positive potential, backed by facts and independent, professional research and analysis.
First of all, Amendment 4 is not all about fixing our property tax system or destroying government revenue as some are claiming; it is about fueling economic growth and sparking Florida’s languishing housing market. Let me remind you that there has never been a solid economic recovery in this country that is not led by a robust housing market.
The three measures included in the amendment are as follows:
* It protects Floridians from property tax Increases when property values decline;
* It creates an additional homestead exemption for first-time homebuyers;
* It lowers the maximum yearly assessment increase on non-homestead properties from a cap of 10% to a cap of 5%. This includes business and commercial real estate as well as non-homesteaded residential.
Amendment 4, if approved, will create economic gains in terms of construction, in-migration, job production, wealth expansion and an environment that encourages companies to relocate or expand in Florida. It will help rebuild the state and local economy. Such economic expansion will fill the coffers of the local governments dependent on property taxes. As the economy grows and more homes are sold, the tax base expands.
Amendment 4, if approved, will create economic gains in terms of construction, in-migration, job production, wealth expansion and an environment that encourages companies to relocate or expand in Florida. It will help rebuild the state and local economy. Such economic expansion will fill the coffers of the local governments dependent on property taxes. As the economy grows and more homes are sold, the tax base expands, .
The burden is lowered on individual taxpayers, whether homeowners, businesses or investors. Government receives the revenues needed to provide quality services without killing the goose that lays the golden egg: The tax payers. No less an organization than the vaunted Florida Tax Watch, a non-partisan, non-profit, economic watchdog based in Tallahassee, has produced a comprehensive analysis of the projected benefits of the passage of Amendment 4.
To quote from the introduction to the 25-plus page report: “Overall, the results of this analysis show that passage of the amendment will increase Florida jobs, improve Florida’s Gross Domestic Product and increase the personal income of Floridians.
"Econometric analysis of the effects of the passage of Amendment 4 estimate that 20,524 total jobs would be created over the 10 year period of the analysis. Of that total, 19,483 are private non-farm jobs. Florida GDP is estimated to increase by $928.65 million over the same time period. Personal income is estimated to increase by more than $5.3 billion. Furthermore, the number of additional home sales due to the effects of Amendment 4 is estimated to range between 319, 861 and 383,810 over a 10-year period.”
The full report is available at www.floridataxwatch.org.
For the past 4-5 years, area residents, indeed most Floridians, have suffered mightily from loss of jobs and income, declining property values, foreclosures and short sales. Businesses are struggling to stay open, and many are closing down.
Amendment 4, once enacted, will support local and state economic development efforts, providing concrete benefits for our citizens and those who relocate to beautiful Volusia and Flagler counties (or to our beautiful state).
Some public officials are on record saying that this amendment decreases fairness in the tax code, but this is a distraction from the benefits. Why would we vote against prosperity for all because a few snowbirds might get a small, short term break, phased out incrementally until it disappears after the fifth year?
Rather than buy in to the falsehood that Amendment 4 is directed at rich snowbirds, it is important to note that the additional homestead exemption may not exceed the median price of a home in the county in which it is located. In Volusia County, that is just over $90,000.
If some part-time residents choose to become full time, great! They spend lots of money in our state. And why would we not celebrate more people being able to afford to buy homes with all the resulting benefits to lenders, builders, restaurants, companies that provide property and title insurance, building supplies, furniture and home décor, lawn care, health care and more?
Local government fear of declining revenues is a predictable reaction, but there is no impact on current budgets. In years to come, broadening the tax base means revenues increase while opportunities improve and our area becomes a more attractive place to live, work or operate a business.
The call to defeat Amendment 4 is a protectionist position that will keep our economy down and suffering. Ever-increasing tax demands cause people to leave our area and schools in droves due to the lack of decent jobs and the high cost of living. We’ll maintain low housing values and a shrinking tax base.
That is a bleak view, and no one could call it fair.
Fairness is a property owner’s taxes not going up when value declines. Fairness is people being able to achieve the dream of home ownership. Fairness is people being able to find the kind of jobs that allow them to raise a family and build wealth and security. Fairness is a business being able to project its tax burden and grow, adding jobs, as a result of more customers with money to spend.
We in Volusia County have the dubious distinction of paying the second highest taxes of Florida’s 67 counties. Voting "no" on Amendment 4 is support for economic stagnation and continued high property taxes. Voting in favor of Amendment 4 is a vote for a growing economy and prosperity for all.
We in Volusia County have the dubious distinction of paying the second highest taxes of Florida’s 67 counties. Voting "no" on Amendment 4 is support for economic stagnation and continued high property taxes. Voting in favor of Amendment 4 is a vote for a growing economy and prosperity for all.
When you go to the polls, vote in favor of economic opportunity and a better future. Vote "yes" on Amendment 4.