[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by Rickanvic

How would this be controlled? Would you have to submit proof of employment every year? Can I take a job for a week and get the benefit for the entire year?

According to Ballotpedia, "Those receiving the additional exemption would be required to annually provide proof of full-time qualifying employment."

Florida Amendment 3, Additional Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Certain Public Service Workers Measure (2022 - Ballotpedia)

[Jerseybob]

Originally Posted by gatorbill1

I would Vote yes for Active Armed Forces and National Guard, but not sure why others included in this amendment. A lot of important jobholders not included like medical people.

Interesting wording in the amendment. Because of the wording I offer these questions:
1. " ..... to grant an additional homestead tax exemption for non-school levies of up to $50,000 of the assessed value of homestead property ..."

2.Currently, a single person that qualifies with a $25,000 exemption would then receive an additional $50,000 for a total of $75,000?

3. A couple can earn $50,000 at this time, would that bring the number to $100,000 for them?

4. The language is noticeably absent further definition in a particularly key area. There is no language that addresses if the qualifying people would maintain the exemption under the proposed amendment. What occurs in the event of regular retirement, suspension of service for any reason including disabilities, family caretaking, or injury during the career? Do they lose the exemption?

5. Would retired veterans of those services (police, fire, military, etc.) also be provided with this tax exemption due to their completed service?

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Or.....let the free market determine the salary value of a particular job and keep it the heck out of the tax code. If one thinks a particular job is "underpaid" based on free market forces, perhaps that job isn't worth as much as one thinks it is. This is why our IRS tax code is 13,000 pages long. There are plenty more jobs that require "sacrifice" every day, why pick out just a few.

I agree and where does this all end? Every occupation is a “service” to someone else. What about the mechanic, concrete mason, daycare workers, etc. who daily provide services that are often grueling and take a constant toll on their bodies as they work to make ends meet and keep their homes. Now they have to pick up the taxes of a select few even though many people struggle to pay their bills. The idiocy continues…

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Aces4

I agree and where does this all end? Every occupation is a “service” to someone else. What about the mechanic, concrete mason, daycare workers, etc. who daily provide services that are often grueling and take a constant toll on their bodies as they work to make ends meet and keep their homes. Now they have to pick up the taxes of a select few even though many people struggle to pay their bills. The idiocy continues…

You mean like having a ditch digger or garbage collector pay taxes so someone who earned a PhD can have their student loan forgiven???

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Lets not forget the ditchdiggers.

As Golfing Eagles already mentioned…

Every working life is important, not just a select few. Many people have lost their lives who did not have the limited occupations listed for special consideration in paying property taxes.

[Burgy]

Originally Posted by Klearhead

it's too wide a spectrum ...and doesn't provide the impact upon the tax base or how those dollars would be made up.

Agree too complicated. Too many groups. I'm voting no

[Bilyclub]

I saw this referendum on the mailer from the county and wondered why I hadn't heard about this being on the ballot. I know the pay scale down here is lower, but so is the cost of living, or at least used to be low.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by alwann

Sure, give those people a little help. How about a trade-off. Stop taxing older folks with no kids for education. Kind of a No School-aged Children Exemption.

All of society, young or old, kids or no kids, benefit from improved childhood schools. Those are the people that in the future will join the military and protect EVERYONE in the US. They are the future fireman and police personnel. They are your future Doctors and Nurses. They are the CNAs that bring the bedpans to the elderly in nursing homes and hospitals.

For the US to be a world leader, it MUST have a world-leading elementary and secondary school system.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

I just got the November 8 ballot in the mail. I was aware of the Fire District referendum (still don't understand it) but I was not aware of a proposed amended to the Florida Constitution.

The ballot states:

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to authorize the Legislature, by general law, to grant an additional homestead tax exemption for nonschool levies of up to $50,000 of the assessed value of homestead property owned by classroom teachers, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, child welfare services professionals, active duty members of the United States Armed Forces, and Florida National Guard members. This amendment shall take effect January 1, 2023.

Does anyone have any idea how many "classroom teachers, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, child welfare services professionals, active duty members of the United States Armed Forces, and Florida National Guard members" live in Sumter County and what the impact will be on tax revenue?

Long story.....short......I intend to vote YES on amendment 3

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

How much should the following professions be paid?
Most of the people that I know who work in those professions have great benefits while they are working and great retirement benefits.

classroom teachers,
law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters,
emergency medical technicians,
paramedics,
child welfare services professionals,
active duty military members of the United States Armed Forces,
members of the Florida National Guard.

Florida pays classroom teachers one of the lowest in the US, at least in the lowest quartile. Many large corporations have REFUSED to locate in Florida because of worry about the lack of good schools for their employee's children.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Florida pays classroom teachers one of the lowest in the US, at least in the lowest quartile. Many large corporations have REFUSED to locate in Florida because of worry about the lack of good schools for their employee's children.

Do Florida teachers pay state income tax on their earnings?

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

All of society, young or old, kids or no kids, benefit from improved childhood schools. Those are the people that in the future will join the military and protect EVERYONE in the US. They are the future fireman and police personnel. They are your future Doctors and Nurses. They are the CNAs that bring the bedpans to the elderly in nursing homes and hospitals.

For the US to be a world leader, it MUST have a world-leading elementary and secondary school system.

If parents now could see the excellent education children in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s received from way under paid, dedicated teachers their heads would spin. Salary isn’t the factor harming education now.

[JSR22]

Originally Posted by Aces4

Do Florida teachers pay state income tax on their earnings?

Florida does not have a state income tax.

[Kenswing]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Florida pays classroom teachers one of the lowest in the US, at least in the lowest quartile. Many large corporations have REFUSED to locate in Florida because of worry about the lack of good schools for their employee's children.

Your posts should begin with “Once upon a time”.

Can you please list these companies that REFUSED to locate to Florida? And who was trying to force them to move in the first place?

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Florida pays classroom teachers one of the lowest in the US, at least in the lowest quartile. Many large corporations have REFUSED to locate in Florida because of worry about the lack of good schools for their employee's children.

Yep, people and corporations are avoiding Florida like the plague. They are all headed to the paradise of California 😂😂😂