What a difference a week can make. When the Legislature opened the current session a little over a week ago all the buzz was about REAL ESTATE TAXES and how to cut them. Every politician was jumping on the bandwagon. Well, in the last few days there has been basic silence on the issue.
And why is that? LOBBYISTS! That is correct. LOBBYISTS. From the Chambers of Commerce to cities and counties around the state. They all have lobbyists in Tallahassee screaming the sky is going to fall if their real estate tax revenue is cut. I can only imagine the back room deals that are being cut. I have said it before and I will say it until the cows come home. Keep the lobbyists out of it and do what is right for the citizens of Florida! How is this? Your real estate taxes are paying for the lobbyists in Tallahassee to work against you and the real estate tax reductions.
To illustrate how dire the real estate tax issue is, the state budget has been revised LOWER for the current year and next. State revenue will decline by $1,000,000,000 (Billion). Why? Because that is the amount that won't be generated from state mandated fees on real estate sales. It is simple - real estate taxes go down, real estate sales go up and state revenue follows. I'm no economist but it makes sense to me.
Call your politician NOW!
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.