NorthWest Florida Republican

Don Gaetz recently has been looking at a way to reduce property taxes for those affected by the Oil spill here along the Gulf Coast.

Matt and I met with the property appraisers of the five coastal NW Florida counties this am. We’re working on a way to reduce property taxes on properties whose value is negatively affected by the oil spill. But we don’t want any tax burden shifted to inland folks. Our goal is to develop a valid method of calculation and handing BP the bill on behalf of our taxpayers and local govts. What do you think? – Don Gaetz

While I don’t have a problem with reducing the tax burden on people. It seems to me to be singling out the owners of property along the beaches.

Aren’t all of our property values negatively affected by the oil? Why single out just a select few? Our property values were all negatively affected by the housing bubble but nothing was done about property taxes then.

How can you tell the difference between the depression of property values due to the oil spill and depression of property values due to the housing bubble?

I can’t see how this won’t shift the burden. Property values go down. County income goes down. Taxes will have to go up which means those whose property wasn’t adjusted down will pay more whereas those whose was adjusted will pay less.

I’m all for less taxes but I can’t see how this is a good idea for everyone. Sounds like it might benefit those along the coast more than those along I-10.

We are all affected by the Oil spill due to reduce tourism. Not just property values.

Of course if you read the comments by others, you will get the idea that those who support Senator Gaetz’s idea are all business owners on or near the beach. While I agree that the taxes they pay are unfair singling out just those along the coast is not the way to do it. Right now, lowering taxes will not keep people employed. It will just place money in the pockets of those who sell.