Well, the politicians in Tallahassee have demonstrated how little regard they have for local government and your judgement. Doing away with property taxes for full-time residents is one moronic idea that will only lead to fewer services and overall poorer conditions in our counties and cities. Tallahassee is a hotbed of waste, fraud, and abuse, and they are a less than stellar messengers and examples to local governments.

Most property taxes collected at the municipal level doesn’t even pay the cost of emergency services now having to be made up from other revenue sources. After this amendment fully goes into effect, a call for a heart attack or that someone is breaking into a house will be answered not in minutes but perhaps in hours. Streets and roads will be repaved on a much longer timetable than now. Name anything that local government does and think of it greatly reduced and or eliminated.

People always want to believe there is a free lunch. Politicians are more than happy to oblige that fantasy if it gets them through the next election. As your mother probably told you, there is no such thing.

Florida may want to be the first state that has no income or property taxes. It is a government-hater’s sweetest dream. But it isn’t realistic. And if enough people swallow the nonsense and vote in November to have almost all residents pay zero property taxes, instead of the heaven they envisioned, a hell will ensue.

This week we have a column from Joe Catrambone the CEO of Stuart Martin County Chamber of Commerce, explaining what C-Pac is and how it defends the interest of small businesses.

The Martin County Taxpayers Association takes a deep dive into District MSTUs and where each commissioner has spent those funds from 2023 to date. You should determine whether you are getting your money’s worth or not. You should be the check on how tax money is spent…not the Florida Legislature. This is what the MCTA allows you to do.

We have all our usual contributors, nonprofit notices, and government reporting. So, sit back, pour another cup of coffee and enjoy.

Have a great Sunday Morning!