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Vote ‘Yes on 1’:
FAR, Gov. Crist launch group supporting property tax amendment

TAMPA, Fla. – Sept. 18, 2007 – Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Gov. Charlie Crist, Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) President Nancy Riley joined forces with other supporters Monday to launch a bi-partisan group, “Yes on 1 – Save our Homes NOW,” urging Floridians to vote for the largest tax cut in the state’s history on Jan. 29, 2008.

“Floridians have been suffering long enough, and the people of this great state now have the opportunity to lower their taxes by voting ‘Yes on 1’ on Jan. 29,” said Gov. Crist.

FAR President Riley added, “Passage of this amendment is critical to the future of Florida. It will provide first-time homebuyers a large tax exemption. It will begin to equalize property taxes among neighbors, and it will allow the people who are the foundation of our neighborhoods – teachers, nurses, police officers and emergency first responders – to afford to live in the communities they serve.”

The announcement came during a media conference Monday afternoon at the home of Veronica Greco, a Tampa resident who supports Amendment 1 and understands how important passage of the amendment is to Florida residents who need relief from high property taxes. Greco wants to sell her home of 15 years and downsize to a condo, but feels trapped due to the “lock-in” effects of the state’s Save Our Homes amendment.

“This is an opportunity for homebuyers, future homebuyers and those like Mrs. Greco, who has this home for sale, but she’s locked in because she can’t find a buyer who can afford the taxes on this home,” said State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey. Passage of the constitutional amendment will give people the opportunity to lower their taxes, he said.

Members of “Yes on 1 – Save our Homes NOW” include: Fasano, the group’s chairman; Paul Neaville, a partner with the Markham Group, co-chair and executive director; and Roger Enzor, a Pensacola Realtor and the 1987 president of FAR.

Fasano said the group plans to educate Floridians about recent legislation passed to cut property taxes through a grassroots effort. In early summer, the Florida Legislature passed landmark legislation that required local governments to rollback taxes this year, and then to grow at a responsible rate in the future. The second part is a constitutional amendment creating a “Super Homestead Exemption” of up to $195,000 per homesteaded property. The amendment also provides additional exemptions for low-income seniors and small businesses.

The key to the amendment is choice: Passage would allow voters to choose the Super Homestead Exemption or choose to keep their Save Our Homes protection on their current home.

The governor signed the first part of the tax break into law this summer, and Florida residents are starting to see the results. The second part of the tax break puts people in control of their own pocketbook by cutting their taxes when they vote “Yes on 1” and approve the constitutional amendment on Jan. 29, 2008.

In addition to support from citizens across the state, many businesses also support the plan to cut taxes. “The amendment that goes to voters on Jan. 29 represents a great opportunity for Floridians to help our state’s economy,” said Barney Bishop, president and CEO of The Associated Industries of Florida, who also participated in the media conference. “We have a chance to help our housing market get out of this significant slump and, as the housing market improves, the state’s coffers will expand. And that will help jump start our economic recovery.”

The Florida Association of Realtors, the voice for real estate in Florida, provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 150,000 members in 67 boards/associations. FAR's Media Center Web site is available at http://media.living.net.