Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

Citizen Initiative Amendments
Howard Troxler does a good job of keeping his eye on the legislature each year. Today’s column bombasts our reps for trying to alter (cripple) the way citizens can have amendments put on the ballot.

The committee rammed through all this on hasty voice votes, without a written record, so the members cannot be tracked individually. Two of our local members, Frank Farkas, R-St. Petersburg, and Sandy Murman, R-Tampa, sat up there at the table and baaaahed with the ovine majority.

Scalping tickets to events could be legal soon
When going to a concert or sporting event, I don’t mind paying above the ticket price to get good seats. The problem is it’s illegal in Florida. A bill (HB 339), proposed by Rep. Anna Benson, R-Pensacola, would end that restriction. But you still couldn’t just show up at the event, and purchase the tix from a scalper at the venue. It would only apply to sales by credit card, or other licensed money transmitters. In other words, it helps eBay. And even though it’s only for individuals, somehow Ticketmaster will get in on the deal.

Property tax increase cap
Currently your property tax can only increase 3% per year. If the value of your home increases more than 3%, the tax does not. Until you move. Then, you will pay your property tax on the true value (appraisal) of your new house. The folks who buy your house will pay the tax on the true value (new appraisal) of your old house. This is a great idea for many reasons, but the jump really freaks out the buyer – especially if they are a first-time home buyer. I mean, the buyer can’t bother even asking the seller what the normal taxes are, the seller only knows their capped tax rate. State Sen. Gwen Margolis, D-Miami Beach, proposes requiring any home seller to tell buyers that the tax assessment might increase once the home is sold (SB 478). Some real estate agents already warn buyers they might see a jump in taxes (mine did), but as of now they’re not required to do that.

For a better eye on politics, government, and law in the great state of Florida, I highly recommend the Florida Politics blog and South of the Suwannee blog, as well as checking Troxler’s column.