News Clips

Sarasota Herald Tribune

Manatee County skeptical about school security funding

MANATEE COUNTY — If it continues to share in the increasing costs of school resource officers, the Manatee County Commission says it will face a budgeting dilemma: Either increase the property tax rate for the unincorporated area by $1.40 for every $1,000 in taxable value or reduce other services to the public. On Tuesday, County Administrator Ed Hunzeker informed commissioners they need to decide soon how they will handle the School Board’s funding request for more law enforcement officers on campuses. That decision will affect the proposed budget he and his staff are preparing for the next fiscal year.

Gainesville Sun / Ocala Star Banner

Editorial: A tax break we can’t afford

When Florida voters go to the polls in November, one of the state constitutional amendments they will vote on calls for an additional $25,000 homestead exemption on top of the $50,000 in homestead exemptions already on the books. It will be hard to vote “no” — it is a tax break, after all — but voters should resist the temptation, because of the long-term effect will be either diminished public services or a tax shift, that is, higher taxes for someone else or a new tax altogether. The measure, known as Amendment 1, is accurately and enticingly titled “Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption” and was put on the ballot by the Legislature rather than the Constitution Revision Commission.

Daytona Beach News Journal
Our Opinion: A tax break we can’t afford
When Florida voters go to the polls in November, one of the state constitutional amendments they will vote on calls for an additional $25,000 homestead exemption on top of the $50,000 in homestead exemptions already on the books. It will be hard to vote “no” — it is a tax break, after all — but voters should resist the temptation, because of the long-term effect will be either diminished public services or a tax shift, that is, higher taxes for someone else or a new tax altogether.