Florida Legistlature goings-on
I have already detailed my thoughts on the petition to double your homestead exemption. FlaBlog found a few more reasons to kill the idea. And now, Saull’s wife is wants to be a senator.
But enough about that. I want to talk about another stupid tax cut. Our own Rep. Bob Henriquez, D-Tampa, along with Rep. Ron Greenstein, D-Coconut Creek, suggested a temporary cut in the state gas tax. These democrats (democrats!) want for a month long tax cut of $.10 per gallon. Ten cents. The House republicans are all for it. Luckily, the Florida Senate is not jumping on this short-term fix. Senators want to know why gas is getting so expensive, and looking for long-term solutions. The Senate will discuss the action, but happily, they remain skeptical.
As we know, the state revenues budget has taken hits in recent years. Allowing an approximate $80 million reduction will not make things better. Plus, there will be no way to know if the gas stations will reduce the price by a dime, or simply keep some of it. Policing this would cost even more money. If this gas tax break is approved, it will save you about $12.00. It’s just not worth it. Floridians already pay some of the lowest taxes in the nation. Meanwhile, money runs short for 2.8 million residents without health insurance.
Now before you think I would argue against any tax decreases, there is one tax they are thinking about eliminating (at least for a while): The Substitute Communications Services Tax that would essentially cost anyone who uses a LAN network. The law for this tax was written 20 years ago, and the technological advances have moved at an incredible pace since then. The Revenue department is looking to begin enforcing this tax on private homes and small businesses. Legistlators are considering shelving it for 18 months. This thing needs to be looked at in further detail, and rewritten to retain its original intent.
Tags: tampa
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