'Tax swap' battle to hit mailbox, radio, TV near you

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On Monday, a broad and powerful coalition will announce plans to oppose a November ballot that would greatly reduce property taxes for schools but increase the sales tax.

The coalition includes major business trade groups, school unions and the AARP. It will attack Amendment 5 with direct mail, radio and TV advertising, starting as early as a month from now.

"There's just no trust in this on every front," state Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, said Thursday. He has spearheaded the coalition under the name Protect Florida's Future.

Proponents are also close to launching their campaign, tentatively called Vote Yes on 5 For Property Tax Relief. They say an average 25 percent property tax cut for all property owners is an easy sell, even if it leads to higher sales taxes.

Amendment 5 is commonly known as the "tax swap" and was put on the ballot by the state Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.

It calls for eliminating most school property taxes and replacing them with a 1 cent or more increase in the sales tax and an array of other revenue sources, including budget cutting or eliminating sales tax exemptions.

Critics say about $11-billion would be needed to replace lost education funding. And a 1 cent sales tax increase would generate less than $4-billion.

The campaign will be managed by John Sowinski, an Orlando strategist who led the "eight is enough" legislative term limits campaign in 1992, the 1994 net ban amendment and a 2000 campaign in favor of high-speed rail.

His adversary will be David Johnson, former executive director of the state GOP and an experienced campaign hand. Helping that effort will be the Florida Association of Realtors, which has pledged to spend $1-million on the pro-Amendment 5 campaign.

Former state Sen. John McKay, R-Bradenton, cham-pioned the measure on the taxation commission and accuses opponents of trying to protect their own special interests (retail businesses, for example, abhor a higher sales tax) while sowing fear and misinformation.

Despite concern about making up lost revenue for schools, McKay said the plan includes a "hold harmless" provision requiring the Legislature to do so. "If they don't, we'll be in court immediately and getting the courts to force that," he said.

Comments on this article

by Jacob	Jun 24, 2008 12:59 PM
I applaud Sen Mike for being willing to debate on the issue. And for his impressive list of backers. This isn't just a small group who make up Protect Florida's Future - this is a wide array of citizens in all professions. Give the debates a chance!

by Bill	Jun 24, 2008 11:20 AM
We need more people to support Larry Jones for the State House Seat 19. He is totally against any property tax reduction and increase to sales tax.He one of us and that understands the hardships were all having here in florida.

by Bill	Jun 22, 2008 10:36 PM
We just got a property tax reduction and now our teachers are taking a cut in already embarrassingly low salaries. I cannot trust the powers that be in this state to do anything right when it comes to improving education. Vote No.

by Tom	Jun 22, 2008 10:36 PM
Before: a propery tax which causes rich people (who own expensive homes) to pay more than poor people. After: Sales tax where rich and poor pay the same - and poor people will be hit harder by a sales tax increase. How is this fair?

by ron	Jun 22, 2008 10:36 PM
problem is we have a huge government that we don't need & they're spending like drunken sailers. get rid of the property tax completely, especially for retired people. taxes should be based on income. this will force the gov. to live within our means

by Josh	Jun 20, 2008 12:20 PM
We don't need any more tax relief thanks....the schools, police and other public services are suffering enough right now. I'll be voting NO.

by Tammy	Jun 20, 2008 12:20 PM
Vote YES YES YES on Five

by Steve	Jun 20, 2008 12:19 PM
Didn't they say we would get a 25% cut on property ins? No thanks!

by Tom	Jun 20, 2008 12:19 PM
"Hold Harmless" provision? Where was this provision when Amendment 1 was passed? Didn't Crist promise that if Amendment 1 was passed that he would protect Education? Great how that worked out. How can they think anyone will trust them on this?

by pat frm LOLHS	Jun 20, 2008 12:19 PM
The devil is in the details, which are left completely out. "Cut the real estate tax for schools, and we'll make it up somehow. We can't tell you how exactly; but trust us, we'll hold education harmless." We've heard that tune before.

by Joshu Jones	Jun 20, 2008 12:19 PM
Conservatives are being exposed nationwide as tools of the wealthy and big business. Oppose all GOP sponsored tax cuts and wait for a new Democratic era, when we'll use responsible taxation to repair the damage caused by their selfishness. Vote NO

by ralf	Jun 20, 2008 12:19 PM
many do not know that the state has transferred, every year, more and more of their education funding responsibility to local government which is called the RLE(Required Local Effort)The TBRC gave us the right to vote on this,lets not blow it,yes on5

by Ted W.	Jun 20, 2008 12:19 PM
. . . hold schools harmless, blah, blah, blah . . . Whatever!

by JT	Jun 20, 2008 12:19 PM
Good thing the people get to vote not just the special interest lobbyist. Hopefully to bridge the gap in funding the legislature will have to eliminate some of these tax exempt areas and prevent a good return on the dollar spent crooking the system.

by Fred	Jun 20, 2008 12:19 PM
Many are not aware that the state has transferred, every year, more and more of their education funding responsibility to local government which is called the RLE(Required Local Effort) The TBRC gave us the right to vote on this lets not blow it,yes5

by Elizabeth	Jun 20, 2008 12:19 PM
We would be in line with Texas, and the sales tax hasn't changed anything. However, the concern is that in a few years FL will bump back up the property tax and sales tax remains the same...you know, like the lotto / school budget fiasco.

by J.R.	Jun 20, 2008 12:19 PM
The Realtor Association does not have enough money to pay their employees - laying-off a reported 9 this month in Pinellas County alone - yet they have another $1-million for a property tax scheme - for a grand total of $2-million this year. Foolish.

by Mike	Jun 20, 2008 12:18 PM
Why is it that the government is so interested in dropping property taxes every chance they get but keep complaining about funding. Im 26 and still rent. owners saving on property tax certainly dont pass those savings down. Im packin n heading north.