January 16, 2008
Dear Friends:
Today we toured the state on a bus tour talking to Floridians about cutting their property taxes. I was joined by the Lt. Governor, as we visited the homes of several families who would benefit from Amendment one and spoke to hundreds of early voters.
Florida’s families have suffered long enough and I urge you to stand up and declare freedom from your towering property taxes by voting yes on Amendment 1.
The bus tour made stops in Volusia, Orange, Hillsborough, and Miami-Dade Counties to highlight the Yes on 1 campaign and answer voters’ questions about the tax-saving amendment. Homeowners, businesses, and associations came out in support of Amendment 1 due to the substantial and positive impact the Amendment will have on communities across the state.
We visited the Foster family in Volusia County who would like to lower their property taxes. Their current home is valued at approximately $153,000, and with the passage of Amendment 1, they could save nearly $1,000 on their annual tax bill if they downsized.
The tour continued through Central Florida stopping at an early voting site in Orlando and home of Evelio and Nancy Prieto in Tampa. Their current home is valued at approximately $259,000, and with the passage of Amendment 1, they could save nearly $3,500 on their annual tax bill if they downsized. The tour wrapped up in Miami with a visit to the home of Gislet Matos who could save nearly $3,000 if the tax cutting plan passes.
Amendment 1 would slash property taxes in a historic way by providing Floridians’ a tax-cut guaranteed by law. The plan would also double a resident’s Homestead Exemption, and allow their Save Our Homes tax benefits to be transferred to a new home. Did you know that the average homeowner will be able to transfer nearly $80,000 of savings to their next purchase because of the portability of Save our Homes?
Furthermore, businesses would receive a $25,000 exemption for tangible personal property and residents with a second home will never see their property taxes increase by more than ten percent.
This tax cutting plan brings real relief to real people while protecting the Save our Homes 3 percent cap and increasing the homestead exemption. If you want your property taxes cut, vote Yes on 1.
Sincerely,
Charlie Crist
January 14, 2008
Dear Friends:
Today in Fort Lauderdale I kicked off the start of early voting after addressing a group of Yes on 1 supporters. Early voting is a convenient, easy method of voting, and I encourage Floridians to take advantage of it. All across Florida, early voting sites are now open for business, providing the perfect opportunity to vote for the presidential candidate of their choice in addition to voting Yes on 1.
Early voting allows voters to cast their ballots before Election Day on January 29. The presidential preference ballot also includes Amendment 1, which will provide meaningful property tax relief for Florida families and businesses by increasing the homestead exemption and making the Save our Homes tax cap portable.
Homeowners, businesses, and associations from the Florida Association of Realtors to the Florida Chamber to the Federation of Manufactured Home Owners have come out in support of Amendment 1, because they understand the substantial and positive impact it will have on communities across the state. That is why it is critical that the people of Florida take advantage of Early Voting to cast their ballot for their presidential nominee and to vote Yes on 1.
Amendment 1 will bring real tax cuts to real people. To see a list of early voting sites and times of operation, please click here.
On Wednesday, I will launch a bus tour with stops in Volusia, Orange, Hillsborough, Lee and Miami-Dade Counties to highlight the Yes on 1 campaign and educate voters about the tax-saving amendment. Check the website for updates.
Yes on 1 has gained endorsements from a diverse group of Florida businesses, associations, and homeowners, illustrating the amendment’s widespread support across the state.
Just yesterday, the Orlando Sentinel endorsed Amendment 1 saying, “Floridians should vote yes on Amendment 1, the property-tax cut on the Jan. 29 ballot, but not just because it will put a few extra dollars in their pockets.
"Amendment 1 isn't just about cutting taxes. It is about controlling government spending. It is a reality check for local governments that feasted on escalating property values over much of the past decade instead of lowering tax rates.” Click here to read the entire endorsement.
Whether you are voting absentee, early or on Election Day, I urge you to vote Yes on 1 to lower your property taxes and re-ignite Florida’s economy.
Sincerely,
Charlie Crist
January 12, 2008
Dear Friends:
With a little more than two weeks before Election Day, the Yes on 1 campaign continues to gain momentum with new endorsements, our first commercial and several visits with homeowners across the state.
This week, I visited the Bonilla family in Hollywood, Florida, to learn more about their struggle with the high cost of property taxes and to talk about the benefits of Amendment 1. More than 100 people came out to support the tax cutting plan in Hollywood and they applauded loudly when I said, “Amendment 1 will bring real relief to real people.”
Senator Fasano, chairperson for Vote Yes on 1, Save Our Homes Now! recently met with more that 150 residents in the Tampa Bay area to discuss Amendment 1. Read more about the event in our news section.
As part of our efforts to promote Amendment 1, we launched our first commercial this week. View it in our video gallery. You can expect to see more in the coming weeks as we continue to spread the word about the increase to the homestead exemption and portability for the Save our Homes tax cap.
Support for Amendment 1 continues to grow and just this week the Construction Executives' Association and the Florida Bankers Association joined several other organizations and associations supporting Amendment 1.
Other groups supporting Amendment 1 include:
Association of Builders and Contractors
Associated Industries of Florida
Construction Executives' Association
Florida Association of Realtors
Florida Bankers Association
Florida Carpenters Regional Council
Florida Chamber
Florida Home Furnishings Association
Florida Homebuilders Association
Florida Manufactured Homes Association
Florida Medical Association
Florida Outdoor Advertisting Association
Lastly, during a conference call with supporters this week, I mentioned several upcoming events including early voting, which begins this Monday, and a bus tour. If you are in South Florida on Monday, I encourage you to meet me in Fort Lauderdale at 10:00am at the park across from the library at 100 South Andrews Blvd for an event to kick off early voting in Florida.
On Wednesday, we will be crossing the state on a bus tour promoting Amendment 1. Stay turned for additional details for events in Volusia, Orange, Hillsborough and Lee Counties. Visit our website for more information next week.
This tax cut is fair, simple and guaranteed by law. The time to re-ignite Florida’s economy is now and I urge all Floridians to vote Yes on 1 to lower your property taxes.
January 07, 2008
Dear Friends:
I have traveled the state listening to Floridians share their story about property taxes. Many would like to move to a smaller house or condo—others would like to upgrade. Today I visited the Hollywood, Florida, home of Teresa and Anselmo Bonilla to learn more about their struggle.
The Bonilla’s have lived in their home since 2004, but would like to downsize to lower their taxes. Their current home is valued at approximately $238,000 and with the passage of Amendment 1, they could save nearly $1,400 on their annual tax bill if they downsized.
The passage of Amendment 1 will lower property taxes for the Bonilla family and all Floridians and will relieve some of the financial strain on our state’s families.
Just a couple weeks ago, I met with the Markowitz family in Orlando who wanted to build a new home. Their savings could total nearly $2,000 on their tax bill if Floridians voted to pass the tax cutting measure. Amendment 1 will bring real tax cuts to real people.
The Markowitz and Bonilla families are not alone, and millions of Floridians feel trapped in their homes by rising property taxes. With Amendment 1, Floridians will have to option to move, seniors will be able to downsize, and business owners will find relief from rising property values. The bottom line is citizens should not be taxed out of their homes.
I would like to personally thank Randy Bates, president of the REALTOR® Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale, Lori Parrish, the Broward County Property Appraiser, State Senator Dave Aronberg, and Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp, among others, for attending today’s event.
More importantly, I would like to thank you for your continued support of Amendment 1. Without the voices of Florida homeowners, Amendment 1 would only be an idea. Floridians have the power to cut their property taxes in a historic way – vote ‘yes’ on 1 this Election Day.
Sincerely,
Governor Charlie Crist
January 01, 2008
Dear Friends:
In less than a month, you will have the opportunity to lower your property taxes by voting Yes on 1. With the passage of Amendment 1, you will gain the freedom to purchase a new home without huge tax penalties, and rental home owners, second home owners and businesses will benefit by limited future tax increases.
Recently, I visited Elizabeth and Keith Markowitz from Orlando and listened to their personal story as they explained the benefits they would receive from the Amendment 1 tax cuts. Like many Americans, the Markowitz’s had dreamed of building their own home, but could not afford the higher property taxes they would face.
Many families like the Markowitz’s are being taxed out of their home or are being held captive by rising property taxes. Amendment 1 would benefit seniors seeking to downsize, as well as those who want to move into a new or different home. I believe this is an opportunity that Florida’s homeowners cannot afford to oppose.
The time has come to lower your property taxes. Property taxes in Florida have more than doubled in the past six years and local government budgets are growing faster than our residents’ ability to pay for them. In the past three years property taxes have increased 42% and they continue to grow at a rate three times as fast as our population and inflation.
I believe Floridians know how to spend their money better than government does, and they deserve to keep more of their hard earned money. If you are overwhelmed by high property taxes and want a tax cut, then you should vote Yes on 1. The doubling of your homestead exemption will bring you immediate relief and when you chose to move, the portability of the Save our Homes tax benefit could save you thousands of dollars.
This tax cut is fair, simple and guaranteed by law. The time to re-ignite Florida’s economy is now and I urge all Floridians to vote Yes on 1 on January 29th.
Whether you post a sign in your yard or window, write a letter to your local newspaper, forward emails about Yes on 1 to a friend, or just talk to a family member about this important tax cut, you should get involved today. Visit www.Yeson1.com to learn how you can lower your property taxes.
God Bless,
Charlie Crist
December 19, 2007
Dear Friends:
Many of you have received your absentee ballots for the upcoming January 29th election and are contemplating which presidential candidate you will vote for. As you study the candidates’ policies and positions, I encourage you to learn more about Amendment 1 to reduce property taxes which will also be on the ballot in late January.
Visit Yeson1Florida.com before you cast your ballot and read about the tax cutting amendment and how it can save you money. Passage of Amendment 1 will return money to homeowners right away and put nearly $10 billion back into Florida’s economy over the next 5 years.
If you are overwhelmed by high property taxes and want a tax cut, then you should vote Yes on 1 which will double your homestead exemption and transfer your Save Our Homes benefit - up to $500,000 - to a new homestead if you sell your home in 2007 or later.
While visiting the website you will see several other additions including a new Citizens Corps section that enables you to download campaign signs, contact local newspapers or show your support for this important tax cut by donating to the campaign. Another new section on the Yeson1Florida.com website enables Floridians to learn more about how the tax cuts might apply to their situation.
This property tax cut is about bringing relief to your pocketbook, and I encourage you to get involved and talk to your friends and family about why this is so important to you. Ask them to visit Yeson1Florida.com and join the team.
Our property tax system is broken, but you have the power to fix the system and lower property taxes for all Floridians, guaranteed by law. When you cast your absentee ballot, remember to vote “Yes on 1” to double your homestead exemption and make Save Our Homes portable. Stand with me and stand up for Florida, vote “Yes on 1”!
Best,
Governor Charlie Crist
December 14, 2007
Dear Friends:
Today I was joined by a coalition of homeowners, representatives from the business community and local government officials in supporting Amendment 1 with the kick off the “Yes on 1- Save our Homes NOW.” Like you, these individuals feel Amendment 1 is a fair and simple solution to rising property taxes and a diminishing housing market. I believe you know how to spend your money better then the government does and you deserve to keep more of it.
Joined by homeowners, Elizabeth and Keith Markowitz, our coalition listened to their personal story as they explained the benefits they would receive from the Amendment 1 tax cuts. Like many Americans, the Markowitz’s had dreamed of building their own home, but could not afford the higher property taxes they would face. However, with the passage of Amendment 1, the Markowitz family would be able to transfer more than $93,000 from their Save our Homes portability benefit, saving nearly $2,000 on their annual tax bill.
The Markowitz family is not alone and millions of Floridians are trapped in their homes by rising property taxes. With Amendment 1, Floridians will have to option to move, seniors will be able to downsize, and business owners will find relief from rising property values. The bottom line is citizens should not be taxed out of their homes.
I would like to personally thank Steve Moreira, president of the Orlando Regional Realtor Association, Mark Wilson, executive vice president of the Florida Chamber and Barney Bishop, President and CEO of The Associated Industries of Florida for attending today’s event.
More importantly, I would like to thank you for your continued support of Amendment 1. Without the voices of Florida homeowners, Amendment 1 would only be an idea. Floridians have the power to cut their property taxes in a historic way – vote ‘yes’ on 1 this Election Day.
To learn more about how Amendment 1 can lower your taxes, visit Yeson1Florida.com.
Sincerely,
Governor Charlie Crist
December 10, 2007
Dear Friends:
Please join me today in supporting Yes on 1. This historic property tax amendment doubles your homestead exemption and allows you to take your Save Our Homes tax savings with you when you purchase a new home. On January 29th, you will have the power to cut your taxes and boost the state’s economy by voting ‘yes’ on Amendment 1.
This issue continues to be in the forefront of people’s minds and the time for property tax relief is now. Property taxes in Florida have more than doubled in the last nine years and local government budgets are growing faster then our resident’s ability to pay for them.
Recently you may have read that fewer people are expected to move to our state as Florida’s housing market grinds to a halt under the crush of higher taxes. As a result, state economists lowered the estimate of overall tax savings provided under Amendment 1. However, the numbers remain significant as more than $9 billion in tax relief savings would be provided to struggling homeowners. This tax cut is in addition to the $15-billion property-tax cut created during a June special legislative session that rolled back property taxes to 2006 levels.
It is unacceptable that seniors can’t afford the homes they live in, young potential homeowners can’t afford to buy, and our families can’t afford to sell. Floridians, our fate is in our own hands. By passing Amendment 1, $9.2 billion will be placed back into the pockets of Florida’s homeowners and the state economy.
Amendment 1 is an opportunity Florida homeowners cannot afford to oppose. Please visit www.Yeson1Florida.com to learn more about this tax cutting amendment. Again, I urge you to vote ‘yes’ on Amendment 1 on January 29.
Sincerely,
Charlie Crist
