TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – May 3, 2007 – Realtors want property tax reform as soon as possible – yesterday would have been great – but they also want it done right, and a one-month waiting period leading to a special session of the Florida Legislature gives lawmakers time to consider the complicated issue. It also gives Realtors an opportunity to meet their lawmakers locally and push for positive and substantial change. Everyone agrees that it’s important to get it right the first time, notably since some changes would have to go to voters as a proposed constitutional amendment.

“While I am disappointed the Legislature didn’t finalize the property tax reform plan during the regular session, the 30 days they will be home before the June special session allows us even more time to make our voices heard,” says Florida Association of Realtors® President Nancy Riley. “It is my hope that a special legislative session devoted entirely to this issue will be able to deliver even more comprehensive tax reform than what could be negotiated in the waning hours of the regular session. The Legislature will be able to roll back rates immediately and, if we remain strong, we will get our special election this year for portability and other constitutional issues that must be ratified by the voters.”

The personal lobbying efforts of Realtors could be vitally important. Once in their home districts, FAR expects local governments to lobby strongly for limits to property tax reform, fearing cuts to local spending would run too deep. Riley is encouraging local boards, associations and individual members to be proactive during May and early June, keeping political leaders focused on the need for significant reform.

While many details still need to be worked out, however, a number of Realtor-supported changes already appear to be part of any final package. Both chambers, for example, support a tangible personal property exemption, probably $25,000, for businesses. And Senate President Ken Pruitt (R-Port St. Lucie) has suggested that there’s a tentative general agreement on some type of property tax portability.

The special session will be held June 12-22.