Amendment One

As predicted by Volusia Tax Reform, Amendment One passed overwhelmingly.  Volusia Tax Reform has advocated to educate our citizens on true, meaningful and comprehensive tax reform, of which VTR believes this Amendment did not address.  We recognize this Amendment as a tax shift to those that already pay a disproportionate share of the tax burden.  However, the good news is (1) the Legislators got what they wanted and they continue to say this is only step one in tax reform.  We will be demanding further steps that will result in true, meaningful and comprehensive tax reform.  (2)  With regard to portability, let us hope it truly is a stimulus to the current depressed real estate market as our Legislators told us it would be.  This was a clear message to our elected officials that the citizens of the State of Florida need tax relief and they are looking toward our elected leaders to do what is right and fair for all taxpayers.

 Even Governor Crist and Speaker Rubio in their victory speeches tonight proclaimed this was the first step to tax reform.  Volusia Tax Reform will now hold our Legislators "feet to the fire" and they should now support our efforts in forcing;  the local cities and counties to be more transparent in all their expenditures.  Even our Leglistators are stating that local governments need to be (1)  more transparent in their spending; and (2) reducing their spending. Therefore, our Legislators should not have a problem in supporting VTR's efforts in obtaining a Taxpayer Bill of Rights as this is the next step for true tax reform.   Volusia Tax Reform will now be pushing for the Taxpayer Protection Amendment Act which is a taxpayer bill of rights to cap all government spending and revenues at three percent or population growth, whichever is less, and no new taxes without voter approval. Volusia Tax Reform feels this is the foundation for any meaningful tax reform.   Our Legislators have stated that our local governments need to be more transparent in their spending and therefore, they should support Volusia Tax Reform's efforts in requiring all taxing districts to publish on the internet every check they write, as is currently being done in other states. 

 In conclusion, you have not heard the last of Volusia Tax Reform and we have many opportunities before us, however, we will do what is right for ALL Florida taxpayers.  We have many plans in place in case the Amendment passed and you will be hearing from us... Stay Tuned!!

 Margie

www.volusiataxreform.com