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Readers
I take exception to your article "Tax Burden Shifting?" in November's issue of Florida Trend. Florida TaxWatch and the Florida Department of Revenue state that Amendment 10 [to the state constitution, which limits annual growth in tax assessments of Florida homestead property] removed $3.4 billion of taxable value in 1995, potentially shifting $76.7 million in property taxes from homestead properties to commercial properties.
Twelve of the 67 counties in Florida including Dade ? which represents the largest taxable value by far ? are already at the constitutional limit of 10 mils and could not shift the burden by raising millage rates.
And preliminary rolls for 1995 show that Alachua, Brevard, Charlotte, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lee, Manatee, Osceola, Palm Beach, St. Johns, St. Lucie and some 17 other counties did not raise their overall millage rates but lowered them.
What the numbers really tell us is $3.4 billion of value was protected from taxation, resulting in $76.7 million in tax savings for Florida's homeowners, without shifting the burden to other properties.
Kenneth M. Wilkinson
Property Appraiser
Lee County President, Save Our Homes Inc.
Fort Myers
Pretend Paupers
The December article by your Mr. Phillip Longman, "Pretend Paupers," was infuriating to me. The major premise that he put forth was that "middle-class and wealthy people [should] take responsibility for their own needs." What makes him think for even a second that successful people spend their lifetime contriving ways to stick it to "the system"? Without their successful careers, the tax base wouldn't be there to establish Medicaid or Medicare or Social Security. Furthermore, why shouldn't everyone take responsibility for their future needs, medical or otherwise?
I can state a few personal facts concerning our free enterprise system. I paid more in federal income and Social Security taxes last year than what my parents earned as individuals in their last year before retirement. My tax dollars have increased every year for over 25 years. I would have no complaint if I knew those monies were being managed wisely and prudently.
I would propose that our government be reduced in size, the savings passed on to all taxpayers and that incentives be provided to encourage people to take care of their own family members. When one succeeds in this system, you shouldn't punish them by taking all their earthly possessions before giving them the state equivalent of a bed to die in.
Ray L. Stierna
Melbourne
Schools And Prisons
In a recent Florida Trend article entitled "The 25% Quick Fix," the executive director of the Florida Center for Children & Youth, Jack Levine, warned that it's up to state government to determine whether many kids go to college or prison. Parenting is not a duty of government. Like many Floridians, I believe it is a matter of individual choice whether someone ends up in a cell or a college classroom. It is up to the Legislature to be sure that both are available for whichever path the "kid" chooses. It's not a question of either public safety or education. Thankfully, Senate President Jim Scott and Senator Mario Diaz-Balart realize that Florida must have both.
Kathleen Finnegan
Director, STOP (Stop Turning Out Prisoners)
Punta Gorda
Mouths That Roar
Regarding John Berry's editorial in the December issue of Florida Trend, he attributes the "nasty" mood in Washington to the "age" (i.e., immaturity) of the Boomer generation in power. He suggests it is due to "militancy" [being] seen as a political virtue.
I would suggest it is due to your generation spending the country into oblivion. The Boomers realize this and are trying to solve the problem by balancing the budget. It is tough to do real work and it gets "nasty."
John, I would ask you this: When you were a reporter in the 1970s and 1980s in Washington, why was it so much nicer? Could it be that spending money is easier than paying off the debt?
R. David Miller
Tampa
Associations
In reading your special issue, "Florida's Industry Outlook, The Promise of '96," I was surprised to find that you did not mention the phenomenal strength and growth of Florida-based associations.
There are currently over 700 associations housed throughout Florida, representing more than 45,000 jobs and $258 million in payroll expenditures. In Tallahassee, where the highest concentration of professional trade associations is located, associations represent the third largest industry in the area. Only state government and the university system hire more employees and bring in more revenue.
Florida-based associations pour more than $1.2 billion into the state economy annually. Printing, travel, accounting, consulting, training and graphic design are just a few of the industries enhanced by association-related expenses. The associations' staff and members donate more than 10.4 million volunteer hours yearly to community projects such as Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, blood drives and anti-drug programs.
Even with this array of contributions to Florida's economy, Florida-based associations continue to be overlooked. I am anxiously awaiting the January 1997 issue of Florida Trend. It is my hope that there will be 17 industry groups highlighted in the "Industry Outlook," associations being one of them.
Mark A. Miller
President
Tallahassee Society of Association Executives
Local Concern
Imagine my surprise to find [articles about] Daytona Beach absolutely absent from your January issue. Is Daytona Beach a thing of the past?
R.P. Reutter
Daytona Beach
