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The Great Debate: Amendment One
WOKV is taking an indepth look at the property tax debate before you decide the future of Amendment 1 on January 29th.

Read the entire bill here.

Tune in Jacksonville's Morning News all week to hear both sides of the argument.

In day four of our week-long series, Mike Synan with our Orlando sister station WDBO talks with a homeowner and landlord to find out what the tax cut would mean to them.

Just what would tax reform mean for Tracy Nottmeier? She's purchased 8 homes in Duval and St. John's County since 2004. Government has to like her.

"Every one of the properties that we bought had been homesteaded, so you're looking at anywhere from double to 600 percent tax increases."

Her taxes went up in each year anywhere from 6 to 300 percent. Even disputing the value with the Property Appraiser's office didn't help.

"In St. John's County it really didn't do much good. They said 'Yeah, everybody's getting hit with 300 percent increases this year. There's lots of neighborhoods like that."

At least she can make it up by charging more rent. Oh wait she can't.

"Rent has remained stable and actually declined in some areas. So, no, you cannot make the taxes up in rent increases."

Well at least she's getting more services for the thousands in extra property taxes she's paid.

(Nottmeier) "The service amount has remained the same. The government has just collected up to 600 percent more taxes."

(Synan) "And have you asked for any additional services for yourself or on these properties besides what would be considered a normal government services like trash collection for an example?"

(Nottmeier) "No, we haven't asked for any additional services beyond what a normal homeowner would ask for."

Not capping her tax increase at 10 percent a year just means these greedy landlords have to pay, and that's just fine, right?

"The first house or condo that we bought was intended to fund our daughter, our first daughter's college education."

Meanwhile, she's losing money on the rent, and her property value is going down.

"and I know what's coming next. The government is going to say 'Oh no, prices on houses are falling, so we're making less money.' Well, welcome to the club, I don't feel sorry for you."

Governor Crist visited the home of Christine Moore in Orlando. Divorced and living in a house that's twice the size she needs, a move would cost her thousands in a tax increase, just to go to a smaller house. It's why Crist wanted portability.

"For Christine. I mean the people have been waiting. She's been waiting."

In day three of the week-long series, WOKV's Jared Halpern explores the reasons for a No vote January 29th.

Jared talks to Jacksonville firefighters, who are raising concerns about staffing shortages if less money is coming in to the city as a result of property tax cuts.

In day two of the week-long series, Mike Synan with our Orlando sister station WDBO explores the reasons for a Yes vote January 29th.

"If the tax cuts pass, we're told fire and police will be cut, and unable to perform to their capability. Is that the way it was before the real estate explosion that began in 2004??

"Guess what we had before local governments had all that additional money? We had police officers. We had fire fighters. By golly, we even had fire stations."

Governor Charlie Crist is the chief proponent of the plan.

Orlando has no plans to cut public safety, Jacksonville says they'll do so only as a last resort. Orange County isn't sure yet, but last year they held off on capital projects to save some extra money to fund police and fire.

Just where will government cut? Dominic Callabro with Tax Watch says there are plenty of options.

"There are a lot of things that can and should be done to cut or curtail, to reduce and minimize inefficiency and waste in government."

With much fanfare, the city of Orlando rolled out it's downtown ambassador program this year at a cost of 900 thousand dollars.

Each ambassador levitates their way through the city on Segues. The goal, to help tourists and residents alike.

Orlando Weekly reporter Billy Manes went out with the downtown ambassadors for their morning shift, 6 to noon.

How many people did he help, how many situations did he get involved in?

"I think there were exactly zero incidents."

What do you get for 900 grand?

"People are just supposed to acknowledge your existence, and somehow that's supposed to either deter you from shoplifting or make you feel more comfortable. I think it's that idea, so it was a whole lot of 'Good Morning, Good Morning, Good Morning."

It left him with a lasting impression.

"If you peel back to the roots of what it is: the fact that it is basically a sales tool for the development community, it looks a little less necessary than they are trying to make it seem."

In Atlantic Beach the possibility of the tax cut passing made them re-evaluate spending habits.

Residents there may not get the 10-thousand dollars worth of flowers planted council members were hoping for.

Amendment One would double the homestead exemption and increase tax savings when homeowners move.

But WOKV's Jared Halpern finds not all homeowners think it's such a good idea.

You can read more about the campaign by the Florida Professional Firefighters here.

Our week-long series of reports began Monday with an exclusive interview with Governor Charlie Crist.

He promised on the campaign trail that his first priority is to provide tax relief to Florida residents.

Crist is the most vocal proponent of Amendment 1 and is traveling the state trying to sell the idea to Florida voters.

In order for Amendment 1 to stick, it needs to pass by 60% on January 29th.

Stay tuned throughout the week as WOKV's Jared Halpern teams up with Mike Synan from our Orlando sister station WDBO to bring you both sides of the debate.

Hear Bob Schuman's exclusive interview with Charlie Crist:

Part One

Part Two

May events
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