Today's paper | eEdition | Subscribe
The Truth-O-Meter
Latest print edition
St. Petersburg Times
Special report
  • Right by Miles
    Two teenage boys are in a car chase with a reckless, sexually perverted Polk County sheriff’s deputy. The boys crash, killing Miles White, 16. But the sheriff’s office does not investigate its deputy’s involvement. Why?
  • More special reports
Video report
  • Friday Night Rewind
    It doesn't matter which team you cheer for. We've got video previews of every high school football program in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County.
  • More video reports
Multimedia report
  • Fall TV match-ups
    The networks try to catch viewers' attention after the writers strike, while cable channels go for a knockout blow by debuting new series at the same time. Let's see who the winners are.
  • More multimedia reports
Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Your name Your email
Recipient email
You may enter up to 20 multiple email addresses, separated by commas.
Your message
Validation Code
Hear
validation
code
  Enter validation code

Legislators may not renew school, storm tax holidays

By STEVE BOUSQUET, Times Staff Writer
In print: Wednesday, April 16, 2008


Social Bookmarking
Digg Facebook Stumbleupon
Reddit Del.icio.us Newsvine
ADVERTISEMENT

TALLAHASSEE — Florida's popular sales tax holiday for back-to-school supplies is in jeopardy.

Money is so tight as the Legislature writes the 2008-09 state budget, senators are balking at renewing the 10-day, early-August tax break for backpacks and other back-to-school items.

The temporary tax break — a recurring feature for most of the past 10 years — would drain up to $41-million from state coffers in a year when health care, prisons and schools are being cut and some state workers are losing their jobs.

Also in limbo is a second, $12-million tax holiday for the first week of hurricane season for flashlights, radios, batteries, tarps, generators and other supplies for riding out a hurricane.

While the full House is ready to vote on both plans, the Senate hasn't had a single committee hearing on either one. Leaders say they have to make sure the state's priorities are met in the budget first.

"If you've got money left to spend, then you look at how to spend it," said Senate Majority Leader Dan Webster, R-Winter Garden, sponsor of the back-to-school holiday plan (SB 2094).

The Senate's chief budget writer, Republican Lisa Carlton of Osprey, suggested she'd be open to a shorter, cheaper back-to-school break: "We're looking at something limited."

Under the House plan (HB 893), books, backpacks, clothing and shoes costing $50 or less would be exempt from sales tax Aug. 2 to 11 along with school supplies, such as pencils and notebooks, worth $10 or less.

The holiday was first enacted in 1998 and has been re-enacted every year except in 2003 and 2004.

Rick McAllister of the Florida Retail Federation said an abbreviated back-to-school sales tax holiday is better than nothing, but his group was eager to see evidence that it's still a priority.

"People do look forward to it," said McAllister.

The hurricane-related tax break (HB 111) sponsored by Rep. Peter Nehr, R-Tarpon Springs, would eliminate sales tax on an assortment of supplies from June 1 to 7.

But the Senate plan (SB 86) for a slightly longer holiday, June 1-12, is stalled. "Everyone in the Legislature likes it, so it's just a matter of, 'Can we do it?' " said Senate sponsor Carey Baker, R-Eustis.

House budget chairman Ray Sansom, R-Destin, was optimistic consumers will see at least one of the sales tax holidays pass, but not both. "I feel pretty confident we'll come out of here with one of them."

Times staff writers Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler and Alex Leary contributed to this report. Steve Bousquet can be reached at bousquet@sptimes.com or (850) 224-7263.



[Last modified: Apr 16, 2008 02:08 PM]



Comments on this article
by Amy Apr 16, 2008 2:08 PM
Just keep sticking it to the consumer!!!
by Mike Apr 16, 2008 2:06 PM
So if we skip the tax holiday, will Republicans call this a tax increase?
by Ann Apr 16, 2008 10:31 AM
It seems silly that we lower the taxes but we'll still expect the the sales tax holiday. I'd rather put the savings that I would have received from the sales tax holiday towards our community's social services to help those in more ne
Subscribe to the Times
Click here for daily delivery
of the St. Petersburg Times.

Email Newsletters

ADVERTISEMENT

 
ADVERTISEMENT