Education taxes...reality check.

[Certifiable]

The thread on amendment #1 has provided us with some varying and intuitive opinions.
It has also provoked a logical thought that many may have overlooked.

The property tax structure in Florida establishes a tax "millage rate" for varying governmental institutions like education, water management districts, landfills, etc.
The total of all of the milage rates is multiplied by the assesed value of your property and ....there you have it, your tax bill.

I do not understand why the tax is based on property value rather than a per unit, or per person base. You can argue that a higher property value can be somewhat correlated to a larger home site that affects the water district millage because the property site area may be larger than average. You can use the same logic for the landfill, bigger house equals more "stuff" which equals more garbage.

Now, the hot potato of education millage. Why does a family with 1 child living in a $10 million dollar home have to pay more in education taxes than a family with 5 children in a $200K home ?
The actual education burden is based on a per child basis. Common logic will suggest that the more children you send to school, the more you should pay. I did not require you to have 5 children..or even ANY children...why should I be required to carry your burden. You made the choice to have children, you need to be able to support them on your own. The rich guy living in his $10 million dollar home has 1 kid, why should he pay 50X the amount of education taxes as the guy with 5 kids ?

Appears to be a flaw in the tax logic...but, once again, it is the best we have for now.

[Sopla2o]

[B767]

Originally Posted by Certifiable

The thread on amendment #1 has provided us with some varying and intuitive opinions.
It has also provoked a logical thought that many may have overlooked.

The property tax structure in Florida establishes a tax "millage rate" for varying governmental institutions like education, water management districts, landfills, etc.
The total of all of the milage rates is multiplied by the assesed value of your property and ....there you have it, your tax bill.

I do not understand why the tax is based on property value rather than a per unit, or per person base. You can argue that a higher property value can be somewhat correlated to a larger home site that affects the water district millage because the property site area may be larger than average. You can use the same logic for the landfill, bigger house equals more "stuff" which equals more garbage.

Now, the hot potato of education millage. Why does a family with 1 child living in a $10 million dollar home have to pay more in education taxes than a family with 5 children in a $200K home ?
The actual education burden is based on a per child basis. Common logic will suggest that the more children you send to school, the more you should pay. I did not require you to have 5 children..or even ANY children...why should I be required to carry your burden. You made the choice to have children, you need to be able to support them on your own. The rich guy living in his $10 million dollar home has 1 kid, why should he pay 50X the amount of education taxes as the guy with 5 kids ?

Appears to be a flaw in the tax logic...but, once again, it is the best we have for now.

Totally agree with your rationalization.........A flaw exist, but's that's the best we have. It's THE reality!!! But the best not always is the right one....Oh well................

[RiskTaker]

Certifiable:

Short answer: it is based on your assessment of wealth: land holdings being a principal indicator, and other channels besides.

It is always admirable to be thinking outside of the envelope.

But here is your reality check: People complain about everything.

The poor man says tax the rich and feed the poor. The rich man says I earned it by working harder/better/faster/smarter than the other so he is entitled to the exemplary situation.

After it all gets hashed out in the wash of society, the general consensus is to lean a little bit on the wealthy,if you can get away with it. Because the poor man has empty pockets. It has been the trend for a very long time now.

Nothing to say that you cannot modify that trend. But if you have your way totally: then extreme disparity will ensue. Just like Mexico: Extremely wealthy, a modest middle class, and lots of poverty. The rish will become extremely rich. Then absolute power = corruption. That is the manifesto of corruption at work.

This society is hell bent on middle class normality, with extremes on both sides, of course. But if you have it your way as you suggest, the propensity will build momentum towards a large gap between haves and have nots (upper class and bottom class.)

So you were saying ... . ?

[wahooman]

I have no children and I pay my taxes like every man, and I am a republican. The hard fact is how many that have made millions and billions had a public education that was primarily paid for by the wealthy. Remember also that you may have gone to private schools from pre-K to a senior in high school, how many went to one the numerous state funded public universities (that is how I did it). How many of the things that we have today were invented by people wh received some form of a public education, I would have to say a very large portion. Believe me I hate taxes and I am not defending the current system, but is there a perfect system?

[B767]

Agree.....

[B767]

Well.....They promised property tax cuts. We voted on it.... Now this....Enjoy........Crist budget may lead to tax hike - 02/01/2008 - MiamiHerald.com

But Crist's budget relies on $338 million in increased local property taxes to pay for schools, a move that could mean higher tax rates in some counties and potentially offset about 40 percent of the $876 million in savings voters were expecting in 2009 because of the increased homestead exemptions required after Tuesday's passage of Amendment 1.................................

[DonK]

I thought the Lottery was single-handedly paying "Billions" to education?

[Sopla2o]

Is there a solution..... As Risk Taker said....

But here is your reality check: People complain about everything.

And as CNN said... Its not IF were in a recession, "but how long will it last...."

Adapt and overcome...

[Disco Lady]

COÑO!!!!!!

[B767]

This, my friend is not about complaining, adapting or overcoming........I believe, and I might be wrong, that the thread was originally sent to see different points of view. That's what we are doing. I am almost positive that we all, in one or more ways WILL adapt and overcome........ Complain? ....Nah!!!.....All I am seeing here (I've said this before), is different people pointing out their different points of view, respectfully, I might add. Except in some cases where they want to clam up the other side. Does intransigent rings a bell?... I think risktaker, cert and others bring good and logical explanations. I, for one find them educating. However, IMHO, given some facts and todays news, stand firm saying that although too late to do anything about it now, Amendm 1 was a mistake........Back to drinking beer and dream about my next catch.........

[Sopla2o]

Originally Posted by B767

This, my friend is not about complaining, adapting or overcoming........I believe, and I might be wrong, that the thread was originally sent to see different points of view. That's what we are doing. I am almost positive that we all, in one or more ways WILL adapt and overcome........ Complain? ....Nah!!!.....All I am seeing here (I've said this before), is different people pointing out their different points of view, respectfully, I might add. Except in some cases where they want to clam up the other side. Does intransigent rings a bell?... I think risktaker, cert and others bring good and logical explanations. I, for one find them educating. However, IMHO, given some facts and todays news, stand firm saying that although too late to do anything about it now, Amendm 1 was a mistake........Back to drinking beer and dream about my next catch.........

The response was not meant to specify that "anyone" should adapt and overcome. It was presented from the perspective that most agencies have adapted to the "over inflated" budgets that were based on unrealistic tax assessments. Now that the "eventual change" has arrived, most State Agencies that created positions based on the extra budget funds they had, must "adapt" and "overcome" and adjust to their new budgets.

There was no problem with the budget several years ago before the "tax run up." All those government agencies that were spoiled with their unrealistic budgets should "adapt and overcome" to the new realistic numbers.

There was no "personal attack" nor "innuendo's" suggested... Only presenting the facts as they have developed as a result of Amendment 1.

As you said... Whether right or wrong.... There is nothing we can do... Time to fish and hope for the best....

[B767]

It's always good to exchange ideas. But wouldn't it be better if we all get together and discuss all this in person, say,,,,, 4,5,6 or 7 boats???,,, say,,,,, in Dollar Harbor in the Bahamas???,,,,, say, after a nice day of fishing for tuna? dolphin? wahoo????????? Over some Scotch? Sashimi??????............ I will betcha we'll solve MOST (if not ALL) tax, fuel prices and the likes...... .......!!!!!!!........ANYONE?

[wahooman]

I have fixed many of the worlds problems in that manner, unfortunately, I forgot what we said the next morning. We tried taping the conversations one time but were unable to understand anything that was said as the speech was slurred and garbled (must have been the recording equipment).

[B767]

Originally Posted by wahooman

I have fixed many of the worlds problems in that manner, unfortunately, I forgot what we said the next morning. We tried taping the conversations one time but were unable to understand anything that was said as the speech was slurred and garbled (must have been the recording equipment).

Yeap. Time to get new equipment.....

[DIRTYFOOT2]

Its educate em early or incarcerate em later. Take your pick on how you want your tax dollars spent. One way or another we all pay...........

[Sopla2o]

Originally Posted by B767

Yeap. Time to get new equipment.....

We can't remember we cut the budget....