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Sen. Storms Discusses Property Taxes

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By JOHN CEBALLOS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 12, 2007

RIVERVIEW - With a property tax-cut plan due to appear on the ballot in a little more than a month, state Sen. Ronda Storms stopped by Riverview to discuss the proposal.

Storms, R-Valrico, paid a visit to more than 50 members of the Alafia River Ridge Civic Association during their meeting Dec. 4 at the Riverview Civic Center, 11020 Park Drive.

"We're grateful to have her here to keep us up to speed on what's happening in Tallahassee," said Rex Garrison, president of the association.

The main topic of discussion was a referendum Jan. 29 on a property tax plan that was approved 97-18 by the House in October.

"I don't want to say the plan is a good start, and I don't feel like attaching another adjective to it right now, so I'll just say that it's a start," Storms said.

The plan, which must be approved by 60 percent of voters to be enacted, has three major points - allowing people to keep the Save Our Homes benefits they have accumulated once they move; doubling the $25,000 homestead exemption, with average savings of $240 each year; and establishing a 10 percent annual cap on nonhomestead assessments.

"There are some things in the plan that I tried to fight for that we weren't able to get in," Storms said. "There is tax relief, which is good because there are some officials who would like to raise taxes and tax people out of their homes."

Storms also acknowledged that she and some of her colleagues are aware of feelings of unrest between themselves and their constituency.

"Trust me, I know that voters are very restless, and I would even say they are angry," Storms said. "That's why I believe that tax cuts are the way to stimulate the economy.

"Right now, we have to protect families' pocketbooks."

The visit was the latest stop for Storms, who had attended a public hearing in Miami the day before.

"We're very happy she stopped by, and I think she did a fine job talking about the plan," said Peter White, past president of the civic association. "It's too bad we couldn't have her for just a bit longer."

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.

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