Senate President Says Property Tax Ruling Will Be Appealed

 

Senate President Ken Pruitt issued a memorandum today, September 25, 2007 in response to yesterday’s 2nd Judicial Court ruling in Hersh v. Browning, which challenged the statutory language and constitutional amendment crafted by the Florida Legislature to address property tax reform throughout the state.

To read Senate President Pruitt’s memorandum, click here

Below are statewide news headlines and statements regarding the issue.

“Try as this Court has, and having considered all memoranda and argument presented to the Court, and having read, reread, examined and studied the ballot summary under review, the court cannot find that the language is clear, concise, unambiguous and fair. The language at issue is misleading and confusing, and does not provide fair notice to the voter, educated or otherwise, of the purpose and effect of the proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution.”
—Chief Judge Charles A. Francis, 2nd Judicial Circuit

 

House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber issued the following statement in response to the Sept. 24, 2007 2nd Judicial Circuit Court ruling:
 
“Today’s circuit court ruling gives us an opportunity to bring meaningful relief to Florida’s middle class taxpayers, without eliminating save our homes or bankrupting our public schools.”

Statement by Governor Charlie Crist Regarding Property Tax Relief for Florida’s Homeowners
                                                                            
“The Legislature smartly put the power to cut property taxes into the hands of the people.  We will continue to work to ensure Florida’s homeowners get the relief they need and deserve.”

 

Senate president says tax amendment ruling will be appealed

TALLAHASSEE — Senate President Ken Pruitt sent a letter this morning to all Senate members, saying he intends to appeal a Leon Circuit judge’s ruling stripping a Republican-backed property tax amendment from the Jan. 29 ballot.

 

Tax Relief Vote Axed Over Lack Of Clarity

TALLAHASSEE – Lawmakers are vowing to give property tax relief to Floridians despite a circuit court decision Monday that removed a constitutional amendment from January’s statewide ballot. In doing so, the judge agreed with a South Florida mayor that the language of the ballot measure is misleading and improper.

 

Judge: Tax ballot misleads

The judge’s ruling may only be a temporary setback before a vote.

TALLAHASSEE – A state judge ruled Monday that the Legislature’s proposal to increase the homestead exemption is “misleading and confusing” and cannot appear before voters Jan. 29.

 

It’s a bad deal, Weston mayor says

As a financial planner, Mayor Eric Hersh says he knows a bad deal when he sees it.  Hersh has said all along the so-called “super” homestead exemption proposed by the state Legislature was anything but, saving taxpayers little while taking a drastic toll on local governments.

 

Mudslingers outsmarted by Weston mayor

Someone tried to rough up Eric Hersh.  Eleven-hundred attack ads on cable TV. A citywide telephone campaign. Another whacking via mail. A not-very-subtle search-for-dirt through the mayor’s office financial records.