The turn out at all the budget hearings over the last couple of weeks was encouraging. Unfortunately, the fight is just beginning. Your blood will boil once again when you receive the REAL tax bill.
I attended the Pinellas County budget meeting and was slightly disappointed in its direction, its agenda and the misinformation that the public has as to the process. Although part of the problem is with our local politicians (spending) - the real solution lies in Tallahassee and the narrow minded people we elect for these positions. They are the ones who voted the "Save Our Homes" law into effect and they are the ONLY ones who can change it.
Now is the time to rally all citizens to organize caravans of buses for a trip to Tallahassee. Imagine flooding the halls of the capitol with 5,000 - 10,000 or even 20,000 people from all around the state. We could effectively cripple an action of the legislature (legally and peacefully) until they sit down and pass meaningful legislation to solve the insurance and real estate tax crisis in this state.
Every condo association, every homeowner association and every business group should start to make plans for such an action for the first week of the legislative session. Over the next five months we can hopefully put together some common sense plans for the politicians to consider. Like I said, it's a start and hopefully, a solution.
Ric Cornelius is the Broker/Manager of Sand Key Realty Sales and Rentals, Inc. Sand Key Realty has three offices with 40 agents. One office is at 740 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach, 727-443-0032; the second office is at 2701 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, 727-595-5441; and the third office is at 309 Belleview Blvd., Belleair, 727-461-4200.