Advertising Federation of Greater Ft. Lauderdale Edition

 An exclusively-prepared bulletin for

 

From the Sun-Sentinel, August 17, 2007

Ask The Governor:

Sales tax exemptions may be next on reform list

 

 Q Why didn’t you push the Legislature to repeal the billions of dollars in sales tax exemptions offered to companies? I have seen the list of exemptions and it appears to be lobbyists and special interests that rule the Capitol. Why don’t you concentrate on that reform and distribute those savings to local communities that do drop property taxes? That would have real and immediate impact statewide.     Deborah Gestner, Boca Raton

A. We are at a good moment in time as it relates to issues like that. We have the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. It only meets once every 20 years and this happens to be one of those times. And it’s a good time, because it also comes at a time of dramatic change and cuts as it relates to property taxes. The commission is led by former House Speaker Allen Bense (of Panama City), and the members of the commission will have the opportunity to look at this (exemption) issue as it relates to taxes. I’d encourage them to look at any issue that reduces the tax burden on the back of everyday Floridians.

Note: There are more than 200 exemptions to the state sales tax, which cost Florida roughly $12.3 billion in lost revenue this year. Among the items consumers don’t pay a sales tax on: ostrich and race horse feed, Super Bowl tickets, fill dirt and fish breeding products.

The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission consists of 29 members appointed by the governor, House speaker and Senate president. Former Broward County Commissioner Jim Scott of Fort Lauderdale, also a former state Senate president, was appointed by Crist and is vice chairman.

The commission’s job is to review the state budget process, revenue needs and expenditures, then determine whether changes need to be made through amendments to the state constitution. The commission’s agendas and schedule of meetings can be found at http://www.floridatbrc.org.

Compiled by Tallahassee Bureau Chief Linda Kleindienst.

Copyright © 2007, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

 

 

To read more about the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, click here.