Congratulations to all who fought the good fight to get Amendment No. 5 off the Nov. 5 ballot. The amendment would have set up a 12-person panel to review — and tax — the various untaxed services in the state, and real estate commissions surely would have been at the top of someone’s list.
The details are in the story on page 17 and, as you read it, have an appreciation for the work that a lot of people did on your behalf. It’s not easy to buck the president of the state’s senate; when the legislature reconvenes, he may no longer be the president, but he’ll be there with a long memory.
The amendment had numerous flaws. It never should have gotten this far, and we need to emphasize to our local legislators that we won’t tolerate their letting stuff like this get past them.
We also need to remember that this nation was founded because, in large part, of taxation without representation. The real estate agent is one of the greatest examples of the way America is supposed to work. Of all people, we should be appalled that anyone would propose that an unelected group be allowed to decide our taxes.
It’s not going to stop. Unfunded mandates have the legislature in a financial bind. They found themselves with an unwanted bullet train two years ago, and now they may find themselves with a mandate to reduce classroom size.
Money will have to come from somewhere and it’s going to be easier to tax things like real estate commissions than to take a big step and a) consider a state income tax, b) consider allowing counties to vote on casino gambling or c) cutting spending elsewhere.
Watch out, friends. And be thankful we have effective advocates on our side.
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Can’t we do better than a mediocre “motivational” speaker at the biggest to-do of the year, when the real estate and construction industries come together?
Some people who would have come to last month’s REALTOR® Builder Luncheon: Gov. Jeb Bush, either U.S. senator, Rep. Ander Crenshaw, Mayor John Delaney, either the FHBA or FAR president, the DBPR secretary, the new president of the Super Bowl Host Committee ... on and on. For free, too.
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There was a lot of talk a few months back about the real estate industry helping local enterprises. Right now, we’re all supposed to be helping the Jaguars, but can we spare a few bucks for a similar business that a non-profit?
Back in 1995, when the Gator Bowl was hurting because it didn’t have a stadium in Jacksonville (it was being rebuilt) and had to move its game to Gainesville, something like 2,000 REALTORS bought tickets.
Today, the Gator Bowl isn’t hurting, but it’s still a good part of our community and it’s a big New Year’s day football game.
Let us point out an ad on page 17. Club seats aren’t available to the general public, but you can get them because you’re getting this newspaper.
— Fred Seely is the editorial director of Bailey Publishing & Communications Inc. and can be reached at