Citizen's Help

[Bob]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...apr18,0,5090230.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

 

[SHELLY]

I imagine the Florida retailers will be fighting a proposal that strips away the "school tax holiday" in favor of the "Citizen's bailout."

The tax holiday, which historically comes in August, is intended to help Florida citizens get a break on buying back-to-school clothes and supplies for their off-spring. But that break magically extends to our out of state visitors (many of which are here in August) who get the same break buying their flipflops and thongs for the beach sales-tax-free....what a deal!

I've already fired off my thoughts to my "hired help" in Tallahassee (but then I guess you guys already knew I would) ;-)

 

[beachmouse]

I'd bet that the Citizen's bailout goes through because of the little old lady factor. No matter how much the retailers fight, they're still going to be trumped by the image of the little old lady in the cinderblock cottage who is on Social Security and is facing the choice of paying a surcharge or paying for her medicines for the month. Do not underestimate the AARP crowd in this state.

I'd definitely vote to save the little old lady. In order to really feel the sales tax holiday, a family has to spend a pretty big amount of money.

 

[Camp Creek Kid]

I imagine the Florida retailers will be fighting a proposal that strips away the "school tax holiday" in favor of the "Citizen's bailout."

The tax holiday, which historically comes in August, is intended to help Florida citizens get a break on buying back-to-school clothes and supplies for their off-spring. But that break magically extends to our out of state visitors (many of which are here in August) who get the same break buying their flipflops and thongs for the beach sales-tax-free....what a deal!

I've already fired off my thoughts to my "hired help" in Tallahassee (but then I guess you guys already knew I would) ;-)

But the sales tax holiday was cancelled in 2004 because of the 4 hurricanes that hit Florida that year. I don't remember that there was much of a controversy about that. Sales tax or no sales tax, Floridians are still going to buy school clothes, and tourists are still going to shop at the outlets.

 

[SHELLY]

But the sales tax holiday was cancelled in 2004 because of the 4 hurricanes that hit Florida that year. I don't remember that there was much of a controversy about that. Sales tax or no sales tax, Floridians are still going to buy school clothes, and tourists are still going to shop at the outlets.

But they added a "hurricane supply tax holiday" (in May 2005?) to include purchase of batteries, generators, gas cans etc. (Good for citizens, retailers, and construction workers)

That "school clothes tax holiday" was crap from the git-go. Too much of the "savings" went to clothe out-of-staters. A better use would have been to pour the excess money into the Florida school system--and lower our property taxes (make all the kids wear uniforms if parents want to keep costs down)--but that's another issue.

I already ponyed-up my share of Citizen's 2004 bailout on my current house insurance bill (not Citizen's btw). Now they're quibbling over how much of the excess money they'll use to bail out Citizens-2005. The outcome will determine how much every single Florida homeowner with insurance is going to get dinged for the "Citizen's Surcharge" annually for the next 10 years--and when the hurricanes come again this season....? Guess we'll cross that bridge when we get to it...after all, the "season" is well over 5 1/2 weeks away!

But there were more pressing issues that demanded the attention of Florida States' governing parties: ISSUES SUCH AS THIS!

There's no denyin'.....our state politicos really know how to put the "DUH" in Floriduh.

 

[ecopal]

SHELLY you are soooo funny! :funn:
Does Kurt pay you to post to keep his ratings up? ;-)