The state legislature acts like the property tax and property insurance problems happened unexpectedly overnight. State economists were pointing out the coming train wreck early last year. However, it was an election year and none of the lawmakers wanted to hurt their chances for re-election.
On top of that, you had Santa Rosa and Escambia County commissions ignore property insurance issues and refuse to rollback their tax rates. Incredibly stupid, myopic thinking in both county governments.
Now the state legislature is in a rush to solve and rewrite a tax code that has been effect for decades over a 60-day session. This mad dash to please and grab headlines could wreck our local economies.
Why not set up a tax reform commission and give them six months to develop a plan? Then hold a special session in Oct or Nov to vote on the plan. Put a freeze on county and city spending for 2007-08 – or at least allow only an inflation rate increase – while the commission is working.
Are there any rational people in Tallahassee? Or is the goal to get this tax reform done before the 2008 election season? Screwing up the local governments across the state will make it harder for a county commissioner or city council person to rise up and run against a state House Rep. or state senator next year.