On March 8^th, 2009 the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported that some local governments are considering raising their millage ( a component of real estate tax calculation) to offset the reduction of revenue which is a direct result of declining Property Values. The same article reports that Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties will shed $22 Billion in Real Estate Value as compared to the previous year.

The argument here is that these local taxing bodies can not sustain them selves with out increasing their millage ie.(collect more dollars from lower valued property owners. This argument is put forth, in spite of the fact that the same News Paper reported on the scandalous practice of allowing employees of the Sheriff Department to accumulate over $500,000. in a Pre retirement funds which also allowed the option to not retire and keep the money.

Simultaneously, Florida Law requires that the County Property Appraiser must increase the prior years Assessed Value on Homestead Exemption Property by the lower of 3% or the percent change in the Consumer Price Index. This means that values are falling precipitously, but Florida Residents will not benefit from this decline by receiving a lower tax bill, regardless of how much their property values have declined.

A reasonable citizen would conclude that the Florida State Legislature, both Senate and House of Representatives, must intervene on behalf of Florida Homesteaders. Where is the leadership to resolve these obvious inconsistencies.

Both houses are controlled by members of the Republican Party. Where is the outrage from those of us that elected these people to represent our interests.

In summary I would conclude by saying that this is no time for by partisanship.

Democrats by definition are supported by citizens who are employed by a tax supported entity, from the State level, down to County, City and Village. All Sheriff Departments, Fire Protection Departments, the Sarasota School Board, and the myriad of supporting agencies are all in for perpetually raising taxes.

If elected Republicans fail to fight off these relentless forces, then we have no representation and Florida will tax it's self into oblivion.