Entries Tagged 'campaign issues' ↓

Once again we have a video of Carl speaking out. This time it’s about the Homestead Tax exemption to the Democrat Women’s Club of Upper Pinellas earlier this week:

Last Tuesday (June 17th), Carl addressed the Kiwanis Club of Palm Harbor and touches upon the issue of the Innocence Project. The video below chronicles the speech:

The following was originally published in January’s Palm Harbor Panther newspaper, discussing Amendment 1 that will appear on ballots during the January 29th election

On January 29th, Floridians will vote on the latest tax plan our current legislators decided may fix the tax crisis. Is it good for you? Is it good for Florida?

Does it fix the problem?

Before you do that, you have to identify whether you are experiencing a tax crisis and who is.

1. Have you owned your home for more than 4 years?
2. Do you have the Save Our Homes cap? If this fits you, you are not having a tax crisis. You and I have our assessment values capped at 3%. While we may have seen our taxes go up, we have been fortunate to have been spared the enormous increases our neighbors have experienced.

If you have purchased your home recently or you have a non-homestead property, such as an investment property, business property or second home, you are probably in crisis. Your assessment may be triple the value of the homestead property - and so are your taxes!

The second problem is you sell and you move to a new house, you lose the Save Our Homes cap and will pay the sky-high tax based on higher appraised value. The result has been the catastrophic halt in real estate sales. And when the real estate sales (the engine driving the economy) stop, the rest of the economy begins to falter.

So, does the new amendment fix the problem?

The amendment proposal does allow portability — letting the home owner that has a Save Our Homes cap transfer it to a new home. That will help free up part of the real estate market. It doesn’t do much to motivate non-homesteaded buyers, investors, second home owners, or rental property owners, many who have had to refinance their properties to stay afloat.

It adds a cap to non-homesteaded property assessment, but only at 10%. While that is better than the “sky’s the limit” approach, it keeps those properties at the current crisis-level rates. There is no roll back in appraisal rates to 2005 or 2004. At 10% those properties will see their taxes double every 10 years.

Business would also get a break on ad valorem tax, which means that they wouldn’t have to pay tax on personal property the business owns up to a value of $25,000. However, businesses are having a tough time right now, sales are down and real help is needed. The legislature desperately needs to help businesses because the state’s income is the sales tax revenue that those businesses collect. When small businesses fail, the state fails. This was why a special session was held in October to cut $2 Billion from the state budget. More cuts are coming in this new year.

And finally, the amendment would double the $25,000 homestead exemption. This is a bonus for those of us not in crisis, but, truly at the expense of not relieving those that are. The break does also not apply to school taxes, about 40% of bill, so the effect is closer to $15,000 off the appraised value.

This amendment will save most people money. But, it falls far too short on solving the problems that made this issue a crisis for a significant number of Floridians. And, it creates real problems for schools and municipalities, the entities that are dependent on property tax. If we don’t solve the crisis, it only gets worse for all of us.

For Florida, a better solution is needed. Properties in crisis need significant help.

Remember too, this is an amendment to our constitution. It is not just a temporary fix. If it passes, only another amendment can fix it. It was passed by the Legislature because it polled well and it was simple enough for people to understand. That’s no way to make important decisions. They should do better. Solving problems is what we need.

It’s time to say it with your vote. You’ve had enough.

It’s time for you to speak loud and clear and express through your ballot that you’re not happy with the status quo. You aren’t happy with the direction that the district, the state and the country have gone over the last few years.

You’ve had enough with the rising costs of living and stagnant pay. You’ve seen your homeowners insurance premiums go through the roof or worse — you’ve been downright dropped by your insurance provider. You’ve had enough with your property taxes increasing, and utility companies getting permission to do what they please and charge you any sum they see fit while they boast record profits.

You’ve had enough with Florida’s failing school system and officials so out-of-touch they can’t even see a problem. Florida being a leader in student drop-out rates is not something to look fondly upon. Florida schools being held hostage to the FCAT instead of teaching a curriculum isn’t something you’re happy about either. Teachers and students are frustrated and that affects the future of Florida.

Most of all, you’ve had enough with elected officials who know nothing of the plight you’re dealing with. You’ve had enough with disconnect between Tallahassee and you – the person your elected official is supposed to represent.

Today, you have the option to vote for a man who has been an asset to the community for over 20 years — a neighbor, a friend, a teacher, a local business owner, a man with ideals and a vision to improve our district and our state. A fellow who shares your disgust for the direction the government at all levels has taken. You have a chance to vote for change, for honesty and sincerity, for civic pride and for service.

Government is supposed to be of the people, by the people and for the people… Not for special interest groups, not for utility companies and other businesses whom can pay top dollar for preferential status in legislation. It’s supposed to be a government that knows the plight citizens have, and eager to listen and serve you while improving the quality of life for all.

Carl Zimmermann wants to be the voice for the citizens of district 48 in Tallahassee, not out of political ambition or ego but because he’s had enough of the government not living up to our expectations. He’s had enough of a government that lowers standards, principles and ideals for the sake of political ideology instead of doing what’s right.

You have that power today to say you believe this mans ideals. You have the chance today to remind the powers-that-be that you are in control.

As for this writer, I can only say that it’s up to you now. No more pleas for money, for volunteering, etc… It just comes down to you turning out to vote and choosing a future for the state.

Here’s hoping to see you tonight at Tiffany’s restaurant… And here’s hoping that a majority have had enough to push Carl "Z" Zimmermann into a position of service for the neighbors and region he knows and loves so well.

It’s in your hands now.

As the smoke clears from yesterday’s primary election, Carl Zimmermann and the rest of the Team Z staff would like to congratulate Peter Nehr for winning the Republican primary in District 48. We look forward to a vigorous debate and a clear dialog that does not muddy, distort or falsify either candidates record and stance on issues. The citizens deserve as much from those seeking to represent them in public office.

Carl and Peter have talked in the past and have promised to run a clean race. Carl maintains that his campaign will be about solutions for the issues that district 48 and all Floridians face. It will be about the failures of the current leadership and what Carl can offer to help. It will not be about putting his opponent down.