Backup Documents 05/22/2007 W
BCC
LEGISLA TIVE
WORKSHOP
MEETING
BACK-UP
DOCUMENTS
MAY 22, 2007
Board of County Commissioners
Collier County Legislative Delegation
Post 2007 Legislative Session Workshop
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Allenda
I. Introductions
II. 2007 Legislative Session Summary
III. Property Tax Relief & Reform/Special Session
Open Dialogue & Discussion
IV. Public Comment
V. Adjournment
Board of County Commissioners
Collier County Legislative Delegation
Post 2007 Legislative Session Workshop
Tuesday, May 22,2007
Particioants
Board of County Commissioners:
Jim Coletta, Chairman
Tom Henning, Vice Chairman
Fred Coyle
Donna Fiala
Frank Halas
Collier County Legislative Delegation:
Rep. Mike Davis, Chairman
Sen. Burt Saunders
Rep. David Rivera
Rep. Garrett Richter
Rep. Trudi Williams
Invited to join them in the workshop setting:
Naples Mayor Bill Barnett
Marco City Council Chairman Mike Minozzi
Everglades City Mayor Sammy Hamilton
Invited for reserved seating in boardroom:
Naples City Council
Marco City Council
Everglades City Council
rS::"c 512:2107
Worr""hop
ii
THE LEAGUE OF \VOME:\ VOTERS OF FLORIDA
5-W Be\"erly Court Tallahassee. fL 3:!301-250(~
Voice: 850 22..\-25..\5. F<lx: 850 222--4-t85 . E-mail"
Statement of Finance & Taxation Policy positions for the 2007 Legislative session
League Canons of Sound Taxation
1. Equity of taxation according to ability to pay
2. Adequacy of revenue
3. Stability. nexibility. elasticity
4. Admini~tration~ compliance. efficiency
5. Consistency "with economic., environmental, social and other goals
League Overall Position: Support a state fiscal structure that is equitable in its distribution ofthe tax responsibility and responsive to public
needs.
111e League believes that the state of Florida has an infrastructure deficit and that state service levels and the quality of life are declining. We assert
Ula! sufficient state taxes should be levied to bcgio realizing an adequate amount of all three. We maintain that the state's primary reliance on sales
taxes as a source of revenue is regressive in nature and that the state needs to re-examine its many sales tax exemptions, exelnding lOud and
medicine, legislated to date.
At U,e local level, U,e League believes that local govcnnnenls should bave available a variety of options for generating revenue to mcellocal needs;
and that fannulas for state revenue sharing should take into consideration population and local revenue bases.
The League's overan position on Florida's fioanee and taxatioo system is based on two overriding priociples: (1) The state's taxation system
should be equitable, i.e., it should not nnfairly burden part of the population; and (2) The taxation system should result in suffieicot revcoues to
adequately respond to the people's nceds.
The need for an equitable tax structure has led the League to take the following positions:
Support review of all sales tax exemptions & require super-majority of both houses to re-enact
Oppose the homestead tax exemption and increases to it
Support changing the homestead tax exemption into a three-level graduated !1Lx
Oppose casino gambling and state 101leI)'
OpJXlse increases in sales taxes
Support state personal income tax
Support state corporate income tax
Support property tax relief when taxes on housing exceed a set percentage of income
The need for the tax system to result in sufficient revenues to meet pcople9s needs has led tbe League to take the following positions:
Support of long range planning and projections on bndget needs
Support creation of a statewide Tax Reform Commission
Support adequate funding of programs to meet people's needs
Capture taxes on remote sales through internet conunercc
Equip local govemmcnls with the revcoue tools to address community-based needs
Support allowing local governments to enact a 1 cent sales tax by referendum
Oppose super-majority requirement for referendums adding new taxes and fees to state constitution
Oppose limitations on how state and local governments can tax
Oppose limit on local property assessmcot increases to 3 percent per year