Governor Crist Announces Special Session to Cut Property Taxes

Governor Charlie Crist today announced the focus of his discussion with the Florida Legislature regarding additional property tax cuts for Florida’s homeowners. He announced that a second October special session will be called by the Florida Legislature and is anticipated to begin tomorrow at the close of the current special session.

“Florida’s homeowners have suffered long enough because of skyrocketing property taxes,” Governor Crist said. “The people of Florida need additional relief, and I am committed to making sure they get the tax cuts that will provide it.”

Discussion on property tax cuts will focus on the following items:

· Making the Save Our Homes cap portable.

· Doubling the current $25,000 homestead exemption.

· Creating an additional 25 percent tax cut for first-time Florida home buyers.

· Exempting tangible personal property for small business owners.

· Eliminating property taxes for low-income seniors.

· Providing a tax break for affordable housing.

· Cutting taxes for working waterfronts.

· Transferring the presumption of correctness from the property appraiser to the property owner.

· Requiring all county property appraisers be elected.

“Thanks to the hard work and compassion of Senate President Ken Pruitt and House Speaker Marco Rubio, the people of Florida will have the opportunity in January to vote to cut their property taxes even more,” Governor Crist said. “I commend the Legislature’s willingness to help Florida’s homeowners.”

This article originally published on October 11, 2007.

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