UPDATE (5:56 p.m.) The bill passed, as expected, on party lines. It now includes a 1 cent sales tax increase to offset school property taxes, as well as the 3 percent assessment cap. Republicans say they are serious about pursing the issues. Democrats called it posturing. "All we're missing is John Belushi shouting 'Toga party,' " said Rep. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach.

Divided among party lines and geography, the House Policy & Budget Council is poised to pass the property tax legislation. But approval aside, the daylong debate underscores problems for a proposal that only a few days ago seemed a sure thing.

Democrats worry about the effect on education, the unanswered questions, incomplete financial analysis and the speed at which the debate is going. Some accused Republicans of purposefully trying to gum up the works by passing an amendment that would cap nonhomestead property assessments at 3 percent annually. (Although that came after a Democratic  proposal to cap property at 7 percent, the average growth over two decades.)

"The faster we go, the behinder we get," said Rep. Joyce Cusack, D-DeLand. Normally only a pain in the Republican side, Democrats hold power because their votes are needed to put a proposal on the Jan. 29 ballot.

Even some Republicans who said they will vote for the package do so reluctantly, hoping problems can be worked out over the next 24 hours. Among their concerns, a provision limiting taxing authority of local governments and the wide ranging financial effects statewide.

"When the effects are so disparate -- from a 2 percent on somebody’s
budget to a 16 percent impact on somebody's budget -- with the same
law, the same legislation year in the same, that is something I think
we need to look at very seriously," said Rep. Joe Pickens, R-Palatka,
the House education chief.

Others said the main issues have been discussed for months and the
public cannot wait for a chance to vote on Jan. 29. "If you want to
call it rushing, call it whatever you want," said Rep. Will
Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel. "But we’re urgent because the citizens
demand that of us."

A measure of calm is in order. With Gov. Charlie Crist
solidly behind a plan, it is unlikely the Republican leaders of the
House and Senate will let things totally fall apart.