FLORIDA PROPERTY TAX REFORM
Florida voters are split on a House plan to exchange property taxes for a higher sales tax with slightly more opposed, according to a recent poll. But a clear majority (69 percent) like the idea of rolling back local government spending to 2001 levels.
Why roll back local government spending to 2001 levels? This would force local governments to look at layoffs. In some cases, the local governments are understaffed due to the wages now being paid or issues with affordable housing for the county employees. If positions are unfilled, then the next thing to look at cutting are supplies and materials.
I have stated time and time again – zero based bugetting is a solution. Also, maybe consideration should be given to citizen oversight review, operational audits, and managerial audits to cut the chaff from the wheat.
MORTGAGE RATES
Mortgage giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.16 percent this week, the same as last week and near the lowest levels for the year.
WORKFORCE HOUSING
A bill to minimize property taxes for homeowners whose dwellings sit on land owned by a community land trust has been approved by a Florida House panel. A similar Senate bill has yet to be heard in committee.
It seems that master plan for solving the property tax issue needs to be in place first, then make proposals about addition reductions to property taxes.
FEDERAL REGULATIONS
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the nation’s two largest buyers of home mortgages, would be brought under tighter government oversight in a bill that won approval Thursday from a House committee.
Be sure to visit my Naples Florida real estate website, when you are considering buying or selling real estate in the Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero areas of southwest Florida.
Comments on this entry are closed.