Florida Homeowners Insurance Extension

Property Tax Cut

So, the owner of a 200-thousand-dollar house would get about a 500-dollar break.

Cragin Mosteller with the Florida association of counties says any tax break is bound to hurt local governments, but at least this one wouldn't cut taxes for owners of businesses and vacation homes like a plan on the table now.

Privately, insiders say that one would go away if the new plan is passed.

Mosteller says, "You can't continue to pile one change on after another that provides benefits to snowbirds and out-of-towners at the expense of the folks that live here year-round. We have to get with a system and stay with a system that benefits Florida's residents."

At first blush, handing a tax break to people who actually live in their homes looks like a pretty good idea and may be less painful for local governments.

But, in the end, it does nothing to help businesses and investors - and, by extension, Florida's overall economy.

If companies have certainty their property taxes won't be skyrocketing, they may be inclined to open new locations and hire new workers.

And, realtor, Penny Herman says she'd gladly sacrifice a tax break for homeowners in favor of one that would help her commercial clients.

Herman says, "A lot of people who are buying right now are also investors, and they're turning those properties into rental properties, and we have more demand for renters right now because people aren't buying. So, now you're shifting the burden onto our investors.

Then again, if you're a homeowner and you've got more money in your pocket, you may be inclined to spend it, giving Florida's economy a critical boost. Consider 3 people making $35,000, $50,000, and $100,000. They spend $30,000, $40,000, and $60,000 respectively.. The first pays sales tax on 85.7% of income, the second on 80% of income, and the third on 60% of income. This is why the sales tax is called regressive: the higher the income the lower the fraction of income paid in sales tax. You can consider this as 3 different people or as 1 person whose income rises (or falls).

Quick Overview of Extension Programs to Educate Homeowners ...

Topic(s): Lawn & Garden

Nationwide, landscape irrigation accounts for more than 7 billion gallons of water per day. But up to 50 percent of this water is wasted due to overwatering, poor irrigation system design, evaporation, or other factors. Additionally, excessive or poorly timed fertilizer application can cause pollution runoff and deterioration of surface and ground water. This 8-page fact sheet presents a quick overview of the Yards and Neighborhoods program that educates homeowners about nine core principles for landscape management. Written by Tatiana Borisova, Katie Giacalone, Ruth Anne Hanahan, and Esen Momol, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, August 2011.

Florida

Florida: A Guide to the Southern-Most State

Florida

Insurance for Dummies

Florida, the land of enchantment; including an account of its romantic history from the days of Ponce de Leon and the other early explorers and settlers,and the story of its native Indians; a survey of its climate, lakes and rivers and a description of its scenic wonders and abundant animal and bird life; and a comprehensive review of the Florida of to-day, as a state important for its industries, agriculture and educational advantages as well as the unsuprassed and justly celebrated winter resort of America, with unparalleled attractions for health and pleasure seekers, nature lovers, motorists and sportsmen