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Gov. Scott Applauds Florida Legislature for Passing Bill to Make It Harder to Raise Taxes

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Governor Rick Scott today made the following statement regarding the overwhelming, bipartisan passage of HJR 7001 in the Florida Senate. The Florida House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted 80-29 in bipartisan support of this bill on January 25th. This bill will place on the ballot an amendment to the Florida Constitution that will make it harder for politicians to raise taxes and fees by requiring a 2/3 majority vote by future legislatures to increase any taxes or fees. Florida voters will have the opportunity to add this measure to the Florida Constitution on the 2018 ballot.

Governor Scott said, “I want to thank Senate President Joe Negron, Speaker Richard Corcoran and the entire Florida Legislature for voting to approve HJR 7001 and put on the ballot a constitutional amendment that will make it harder for politicians to raise taxes for Florida families. We have cut taxes more than 80 times since I’ve been in office because we know that Florida families and businesses succeed when we put their tax dollars back in their pockets. I look forward to this important amendment being on the ballot to protect families from unfair tax increases.”

Gov. Scott Applauds CRC for Passing Proposal to Make It Harder to Raise Taxes

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Governor Rick Scott today made the following statement regarding the Constitution Revision Commission Finance and Taxation committee’s passage of a proposal that would make it harder for politicians to raise taxes and fees by requiring 2/3 majority vote by future legislatures to increase any taxes or fees. The proposal will be heard by the full CRC. If approved, Florida voters would have the opportunity to add this measure to the Florida Constitution.
Governor Scott said, “I want to thank the members of the CRC’s Finance and Taxation committee for protecting Florida families from unfair tax and fee increases by future politicians. As a businessman myself, I understand how the decisions made in Tallahassee can affect companies and families who rely on Florida’s low tax burden to succeed. I will also continue to work with the legislature to get this amendment on the ballot, and will stop at nothing to ensure that we continue to build on our success of cutting taxes more than 75 times during our time in office. I would also like to thank Commissioner Fred Karlinsky for sponsoring this amendment and fighting to ensure our state’s continued economic growth.”

FLORIDA TAXWATCH STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF HB 7109

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro released the following statement on the HB 7109, which passed the House earlier today –
“Florida TaxWatch commends the Florida House for their commitment to Florida taxpayers. Their tax package is a win for the state and will reduce the tax burden on Floridians, allowing them to make their own decisions on how their hard-earned money is spent.
“The package addresses numerous TaxWatch recommendations, including reducing the onerous business rent tax, which is the only statewide sales tax on commercial leases in the nation. HB 7109 reduces the business rent tax by 1.5 percent for two years. After that, the rate is reduced permanently by 0.5 percent.
“Florida TaxWatch research has found that this onerous tax impedes small businesses and startups from reaching their potential by imposing additional costs upon them, restricting opportunities for growth and forcing companies to cut back on hiring. The House’s tax package would boost our state’s economy and encourage hiring of new employees.
“The package also establishes 3 sales tax holidays – Back to School (ten days), disaster preparedness (nine days) and veterans (one day) – the benefits of which have been highlighted in Florida TaxWatch research.
“Florida TaxWatch hopes that the Senate passes a similar comprehensive tax package that addresses the burdensome business rent tax and finally provides some relief to Florida taxpayers.”