Thirty-five percent of Florida small-business owners are considering reducing staff or benefits in the face of rising property taxes, according to a poll by the National Federation of Independent Business. Another 14% of respondents said they might close their business in the near future, while 15% said they are pondering relocating out of state. Other poll results:

• 39% of respondents are thinking about postponing expansion.
• 81% said they believe high commercial property taxes are a threat to their business.
• Asked how they were coping with the tax increases, 42% have increased prices, 16% have reduced benefits and 21% have reduced staff.
• 34% said last year's property tax increase was greater than 20%.