Florida Amendment 4
The Buzz reported a coalition of 70 Florida groups support Amendment 4.
Amendment 4 requires the Legislature to provide by general law for an ad valorem tax exemption for real property dedicated in perpetuity for conservation purposes. Further, the proposal requires land used for conservation purposes to be classified and assessed solely on the basis of character or use for the purposes of ad valorem taxation. If passed by the electors, the proposal shall be implemented by January 1, 2010.
I chatted online with Doug Matthews. He is the marketing director of Vote Yes On Amendment 4. He informed me that the coalition is made up of environmentalists and conservatives against property taxes.
"Right now, land that's under a conservation easement (permanent or temporary) is taxed according to it's highest possible use," explained Matthews. "So there's no financial incentive to set it aside."
The amendment would give a property tax break to land counties set aside for conservation purposes. Developers and wifelife supporters, such as Jim Fowler, support the amendment for different reasons. Environmentalists view Amendment 4 has a deterent to unchecked growth management. Developers can get a tax break for setting aside 75 percent of lands for conservation. The other 25 percent sees increased property values from being near green space.
Amendment 4 seems like a no-brainer. Florida's undecider, Charlie Crist, still has not stated his position. It takes true political courage not to state an opinion on an amendment with no major opposition. Crist might frame himself as a green governor and tax-cutter, if he supported the amendment. We know how Crist has been shying away from that image.
Vote yes on amendment 4.
Labels: environment, equality florida, property taxes
posted by Michael Hussey @ 6:32 PM
9 Comments
9 Comments:
Great post. Amendment 4 is a good idea that deserves to pass. People need to learn more about it. Go to www.Amendment4Florida.com to find out more about conserving Florida's natural heritage.
What developer is going to give away 75% of his land for conservation and not get a Kick back somewhere?
So if this passes we get taxed somewhere else or something else is cut? I am a great supporter of land conservation, but if we Floridians have relied on this income for our state where will the budget cuts come to make up for the loss. Conservation can be encouraged but basically if you cut a tax someone will pay for it in the end.
I worry about rich subdivisions who have conservation land throughout their neighborhood getting away with not paying taxes on that land.
I am a huge preservationist and supporter of green initiatives, however i do NOT support this amendment. The fact is that most of the land this tax break would apply to is owned or controlled by wealthy speculators and developers. perhaps it does give them an incentive to stay green, but mostly it appears to lower the expenses of rich landowners. The tax burden will have to bring to be accounted for somewhere else.
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Keep in mind that a developer may "temporarily" classify his land as a conservation area and be exempt from taxation until such time as it is beneficial to develop that land. The amendment should not allow for temporary participation by land owners. It must be permanent.
Do your homework. "Full exemptions" are only granted to lands set aside FOREVER. "Tax breaks" are given based on land usage.
The amendment has no size minimum for land exemptions so it doesn't only benefit the "rich". Do your homework!
Look at St. Pete Beach to see the effects of Amendment 4 (aka Hometown Democracy).
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