goverment

The title of the blog is the title of the article I read this morning.  We're being told it's time to re-think our privacy.  Not only is Uncle Sam apt to read or listen to anything we say, but now they want the major communications companies to have immunity from prosecution over it.  What does that leave for the average citizen who may be falsely accused of something? 

Does our National Security really depend on this, or is this just another instance where we're being mislead?  Is the mindset that if you have nothing to hide then what's the problem if it helps national security appropriate here or is it just more propoganda that will eat away at our freedom?

"This afternoon the House has approved two additional provisions in their Policy and Budget Council.  The first provision would apply an assessment cap of 3% to all properties in Florida.  That means that Commercial and non-Homestead properties would enjoy the same assessment cap as Homestead properties - they would not be re-assessed at full value upon sale of the property.  The second provision would authorize a one penny sales tax increase to "buy-out" a portion of the property tax that is attributable to the "required local effort" (the school portion of everyone's property taxes).  The school portion of our property taxes totals approximately $9 billion each year and a one penny sales tax would buy out over 1/3 of that amount.  This would provide substantial tax relief to all property owners in Florida.Our focus now turns to the Senate.  We need to apply pressure to Senators to accept these major additions to the current legislation being considered in the Special Session."The above is a C&P of an article I read in Early Bird News yesterday.  For those of you interested in contacting your Senator to endorse these additions but don't know who your Senator is or how to contact them go to www.flsenate.gov and click on the link at the top left of the page that says "Senators".   In there you will find another link that will take you to the page on how to figure that out.  You will need to know the four digits behind your zip code and there is a link for that as well if you don't know it.

An article in the TU online this morning reveals that central florida wants to tap the St Johns River in order to support future development. 

Do the powers that be have a good enough grip on the long term effects of messing with the enviroment to even be considering this?

Is this just another situation where the tax payers are going to foot the bill to line already very full pockets?

When you try to put 10lbs of bs in a 5lb bag will it not burst?  At some point does no one have the common sense when to realize that not everything should be developed? 

Very dangerous undertaking, for no true legitimate reason other then greed. 

I am anxiously awaiting to see just how much the County Property Appraiser sticks it to me this year with the taxable value on a non homesteaded property I own.  For anyone out there reading this who has a second home in Clay County you may want to pay attention to yours as well.

The second home I own is in Orange Park South, last year the taxable value on that house was raised nearly 23% in just one year.  I was told by the County Appraisers Office that the increase was based upon sales in the subdivision.

When I investigated all the rental homes in OPS that were handled through a Realtor I discovered that the tax increases went from 4-49% in this neighborhood.