Fla Repubs won't raise taxes but they want to cut salaries of state workers

democrat in Tallahassee

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Tue Mar-17-09 04:49 PM
Original message

Fla Repubs won't raise taxes but they want to cut salaries of state workers

What kind of sense does this make--what is the damned difference between a pay cut and tax hike, except that it will take a long time, if ever, to get that 5% of my salary back. Sick bastards, they are.

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hobbit709

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Tue Mar-17-09 04:56 PM
Response to Original message

1. The legislators should set an example

Cut their own pay 50% as a start.

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ejpoeta

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Tue Mar-17-09 05:05 PM
Response to Reply #1

4. good luck with that.

imagine if YOU could vote to get a raise or not. it's ridiculous that congress and state legislators can vote for their own raises.

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valerief

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Tue Mar-17-09 04:59 PM
Response to Original message

2. Not their own, of course. nt

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KamaAina

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Tue Mar-17-09 05:00 PM
Response to Original message

3. Hawai'i legislators want to lay off nearly 400 state workers

rather than raise taxes.

And they're overwhelmingly Dems (would you believe 44-7 in the House and 23-2 in the Senate?)

http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20090312_State_House_budget_calls_for_374_layoffs.html

The state House Finance Committee is recommending budget cuts of $405 million and layoffs of 374 state workers.

Cuts to the state's $22 billion, two-year budget are "drastic," according to Rep. Marcus Oshiro, Finance Committee chairman.

"Drastic", indeed. :eyes:

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cobalt1999

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Tue Mar-17-09 05:06 PM
Response to Original message

5. What Florida taxes do you propose they raise?

With the tourist volumes way down, they can't raise the state hotel/rental car taxes.

Property taxes are already out of alignment from the collapsed real estate values, so they can't do much there.

Repeal Homestead Exemption and drive thousands more into foreclosure?

Exactly what tax do you want them to increase?

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Lost in CT

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Tue Mar-17-09 05:15 PM
Response to Reply #5

6. Close all sales tax loopholes ($25 pair of dress socks shouldn't be tax free

Edited on Tue Mar-17-09 05:16 PM by Lost in CT

neither should a $40 porterhouse Prime steak)

Charge taxes on services such as Lawyers...

Raise overall sales tax as needed (which if you closer the loopholes should be negligible.)

On edi8t dress socks are tax free in CT not sure about florida... but my OP is still applicable.

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cobalt1999

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Tue Mar-17-09 05:34 PM
Response to Reply #6

7. Florida tried the services taxes once

The first state to do so. It failed almost immediately.

As for sales taxes, Florida doesn't have too many loopholes.

Groceries aren't sales taxed nor are prescription meds, but I would be against starting to tax those items even if someone wanted to buy a $40 porterhouse at the grocery store.

Florida has a "back to school" tax free window for books, clothes, school supplies, etc., but I'd be against closing that. Too many kids already can't afford all that they need.

Most of the tax base in Florida is based on property taxes and tourist taxes. Neither is in position to increase anytime soon.

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Lost in CT

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Tue Mar-17-09 05:41 PM
Response to Reply #7

8. They dumped the back to school tax holiday last year... and Florida is known

for it's crazy sales tax exemptions. 246 to be exact including haircuts, dry cleaning and laundry, valet parking, photo finishing, pet care, fitness facilities, pest control, lawn services and sightseeing bus transportation,charter fishing boats, bottled water, veterinary medicines, sales of religious items, movie theater concession rent, subsidies for the Professional Golf Hall of Fame and the International Game Fish Association, Super Bowl tickets, and sales of U.S. and state flags

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-sales-tax-exemptions-031709,0,5858249.story

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/legislature/story/947448.html

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cobalt1999

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Tue Mar-17-09 08:07 PM
Response to Reply #8

12. Wow, I learned something about my own state.

First, thanks for the links.

However, looking through them, if you keep the exemptions that make sense like groceries, prescription drugs, & vets bills, then I still don't see this great windfall of revenue.

Granted it, removing some would help with some of the school budget cuts, but I don't see enough to keep the budget from 2008 intact. We are too dependent on tourists and increasing property taxes to make that up with sales taxes on charter boats and sightseeing buses.

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GOPNotForMe

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Tue Mar-17-09 05:41 PM
Response to Reply #5

9. Well they could start by bringing back the intangible tax that Jeb! so "wisely" got rid of.

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retread

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Tue Mar-17-09 06:03 PM
Response to Reply #5

10. Might want to work on this "little" deal also.

http://www.theledger.com/article/20090122/NEWS/901220338/1036?Title=State_Budget_Priorities__Florida_Holds_Gold_Mine_for_CSX

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cobalt1999

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Tue Mar-17-09 08:08 PM
Response to Reply #10

13. That would be cool.

Keeps them from raising taxes too.

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Dr.Phool

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Tue Mar-17-09 06:11 PM
Response to Original message

11. General Strike.

Fuck this legislature. They should all be indicted under RICO for operating a Continuing Criminal Enterprise.

That's the actual charge, and it carries a life sentence.

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