Thursday, January 11, 2007

FLORIDA PROPERTY TAX NEWS: STATEWIDE TOWN-HALL MEETINGS

Florida property taxes are very much in the news these days. Of paramount interest are the ever-increasing dollar amounts paid by Florida property owners due to the recent boom in real estate. Also attracting legislative, public and press attention are the consequent inequalities created under Florida's Save Our Homes homestead exemption laws.

In response to these and other property tax issues, Florida lawmakers are scheduling town-hall meetings across the state in coming weeks to hear recommendations from the public on how to reduce property taxes.

According to state Senator Mike Haridopolos (R., Melbourne), Chairman of the Senate Finance and Tax Committee, those heading up the effort insist that "everything is on the table" when it comes to reviewing Florida's property tax system.

"There may be some very creative ideas for how we can address this problem," said Senator Don Gaetz (R., Niceville--yes, there is a Niceville in Florida, believe it or not), who joined Haridopolos and Representative Frank Attkisson (R., Kissimmee), in announcing plans to hold eight public hearings before the inception of the regular legislative session in March.

The first hearing is slated for Panama City in January 2007. In keeping with the town-hall format, the public is of course invited to attend and participate.

Sen. Haridopolos and Rep. Attkisson have their own point of view on the save Our Homes controversy. Both said that they're not in favor of revising the Save Our Homes tax cap, which has shifted more of the tax burden from homeowners to business and investment property owners over the years. The cap has also created great disparity in property taxes paid by newer homeowners compared to longtime homeowners.

An alternative point of view is that of House Speaker Marco Rubio. The Speaker is very interested in getting a property tax amendment on the ballot this year, Attkisson said. That means getting three-fourths of the Legislature to agree to put the amendment on the ballot for consideration by the voters of the state of Florida.

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Daniel A. Weiss is a former Attorney Special Master for the Miami-Dade County Value Adjustment Board with over 25 years property tax experience. Mr. Weiss represented the Miami-Dade County taxing authorities in litigation and appeals between 1981 and 1995 and has since represented taxpayers in property tax matters. Mr. Weiss was named one of the top lawyers in real estate, zoning and land use by South Florida Legal Guide 2007. In Florida Super Lawyers 2006, Weiss was named one of the top 6 local government lawyers in South Florida.

In Florida Trend magazine™'s Legal Elite's issue, July 2004, Mr. Weiss was selected by his peers as one of the top 30 government lawyers in the State of Florida.

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