Thursday, March 08, 2007

Legislative panel OKs sweeping tax cuts as Democrats protest potential impact

TALLAHASSEE– Only a day after lawmakers hailed a new era of cooperation at the state Capitol, Democrats complained bitterly Wednesday that Republicans were ramming through the Florida House a property tax-cut plan that critics say will lead to decreased police protection and closings of parks, libraries and programs for seniors.

On a party-line vote, Republicans on the House Government Efficiency and Accountability Council approved a $5.8-billion overhaul of the property tax system that would force Florida's counties, cities and special taxing districts to roll back rates to what they were on Jan. 1, 2001. The proposal would allow only modest adjustments for population growth and inflation, and according to House analysts, would yield an average statewide tax cut of 19 percent.

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