What is Cut Taxes Now? Citizens are taking matters into their own hands.  No more waiting for politicians' failed plans....the 1.35% solution is here! Looking for the 1.35% tax cap petition?  Go to www.CutPropertyTaxesNow.com! or...click HERE to download 1.35% petition directly to print, sign and mail in.... Tax property at no more than 1.35% of its taxable value. Keep the effect of the Save Our Homes cap – permanently. Provide tax relief to homestead and non-homestead property owners. Cut local government property tax revenue by about 25% across the state. Takes effect in January 2009. Join Our Mailing List Your E-mail address: Your Name (optional): Password choice: Confirm Password: This email list is secure and will not be shared with people outside of Cut Taxes Now without your consent.  The list will be used to tell you how to influence the legislature for meaningful and fair tax reform this year. Are you fed up with the overspending at your local governments?  Are you disgusted that the politicians can’t find a way to cut taxes for all those who are actually paying the high taxes?  Are you angry that tax collections have doubled since 2000, people are leaving the state, the Florida economy is spiraling downward and businesses can’t grow or must close? Cut Property Taxes Now is asking for citizens to support the 1.35% cap on property tax for all property owners.  This is a simple solution that will help all Florida Taxpayers. To put it more simply, here are the taxes that would be paid on all property based on its taxable value (the value on your Trim notice after Save Our Homes and exemptions).  This applies to homesteaders and non-homesteaders: ASSESSED VALUE – EXEMPTIONS = TAXABLE VALUE Examples*:     TAXABLE VALUE     MAXIMUM PROPERTY TAX      $100,000      $1,350      $250,000      $3,375      $300,000      $4,050      $350,000      $4,725      $400,000      $5,400      $500,000      $6,750 *Statewide Average Millage Rate (tax rate) in 2007 is 18.46 or 1.846%. Under this plan that rate is reduced to a maximum of 1.35%, Source: State of Florida 2007 “Florida Tax Handbook." Last year, local Governments in Florida collected a record $30.4 billion in property taxes, nearly twice what was collected in 2000.  The 1.35% Solution would have allowed $22.5 Billion, cutting local tax collections an average of about 25% (a quarter) around the state.  The money is being wasted on corporate welfare, failed social welfare, government mismanagement and waste and excessive benefits packages for government workers. Cut Property Taxes Now, inc. is headed by Lee Sullivan, of Bay Taxpayer Alliance in the Panhandle, David McKalip, M.D., of Cut Taxes Now in Tampa Bay and Ira Paul, of Independent Voices for Better Education in Miami-Dade. The time is now.  It is up to us.  Let’s take action to bring government back down to size and achieve the tax relief our politicians will never give us! Who Needs Tax Relief? Does the Government Need More Money? Follow Link To find Out. Respected citizen gunned down while St. Pete police direct traffic at Tropicana Field. Florida Tax Growth Taxes In Your County Attention St. Petersburg Residents and Taxpayers.         Eliminate Property Taxes or a "Proposition 13" flat property tax? FLORIDA GRASSROOTS CITIZEN GROUPS EXPRESS OUTRAGE AT PROPOSED COMPROMISE TAX LEGISLATION - CALL FOR A FLORIDA TAXPAYER BILL OF RIGHTS Florida counties are working hard against property tax reform. The Florida Association of Counties,(FAC), has developed, at tax payer expense, a "communications toolkit" to be used by Florida county governments to work against property tax reform. Check how your tax dollars are being spent to work AGAINST property tax relief. Sweetheart Deal for $390 Million Dollar corporation in St. Petersburg - Company receives $30 Million in state, city and County taxpayer dollars! See Cut Taxes Now Chair on story with video at TampaBays10. See our Analysis of the $30 Million taxpayer dollar giveaway to SRI here. Pinellas County with highest "Rainy Day fund" in state: $146 Million in the bank (Taxpayer money that they would like back!) (At TBO.com). Taxpayers Subsidize Groups in St. Petersburg. City of St. Petersburg Loses Taxpayer Money on Risky Port Gamble What Could Have Been - A Responsible Tax Policy Scenario. St. Petersburg refuses request to ROLLBACK THE TAX RATE in September 2006! City of St. Petersburg Tax Record St. Pete City Council Members Votes 2000-2006 A proud member of the Florida Taxpayers Alliance! Taxpayers Converge on Tallahasee and Demand Tax Relief! Read About the Rally here and full text of Cut Taxes Now Speech there. How Do Beer Buddies Get Tax Relief? Find out here! Who is paying the tab and who gets relief? "We have the snowbirds - valuable seasonal residents who mean so much to the Florida Economy - thinking it might just be better to go to Arizona or Georgia or Elsewhere in the winter. All the while the government is making them bear the largest tax loads. Since Seasonal residents don't vote here it is the same as TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTAITON! Well, they are going to be VOTING - VOTING WITH THEIR FEET to leave the state!". Chairman's Speech to Tallahasee Tax Rally, 4/17/2007. This Week in the Blog:   Super Homestead Exemption Removed From January Ballot   Constitutional Amendments   Ten Million Here, Ten Million There   The Breaking Point Could Be Near   Revisit The Property/Sales Tax Swap   Super Homestead Exemption Amendment - Tax Break or Shell Game   Where to Cut? How To CUT? Where/what will local Governments cut to meet tax reductions. City of St. Pete Budget Meeting thursday 5/24 at 6 pm.  Show up or pay higher taxes. Tallahassee Democrats waging war on tax relief. St. Petersburg Seeks to Take Over Private Marina Operations - Is your business next? Pinellas County Sheriff Staff increases since 2001? - only 10% are Deputies.   Tallahassee Tax Rally a Success.   Cut Taxes Now Officers take on St. Pete City Councilman Bennet at Neoghborhood meeting.   Come ask for a budget cut - Pinellas County Budget Meeting, 315 Court Street, Thursday 4/19/07!  Tallahassee Update – Calculate your tax relief at Florida House Website  Cut Taxes Now in the Press – Another local Mayor fears head-on Debate with Cut Taxes Now Chair! Tampa Police growth by TWO officers in four years despite $54 million more in taxes!

Did you know that Property Tax Collections have risen far faster than personal income growth in Florida? Find out more.

Cut Taxes Now Needs You. JOIN TODAY! 3/27/07: Pinellas Beach Hotel Owner on the Brink...read her letter to the Senate. Cut Taxes Now Chair and Florida Taxpayers Alliance spokesperson Op. Ed. published in St. Petersburg Times calls for tax and spending caps - This year. How does your county compare?  Find out which counties have raised taxes the most and which have acted responsibly.  Click Image to find your county!

Spending, Taxes and Tax Reform in Florida What are politicians, the newspapers and others saying about tax reform and government spending and taxing?

Did you know that Property Tax Collections have risen far faster than personal income growth in Florida? Find out more (data from Florida Senate). National Federation of Independant Business Poll Reveals Taxes are Hurting Small businesses in Florida. Shows support for spending and tax caps.(2/7/07) CUT TAXES NOW TESTIFIES AT SENATE HEARING ON TAX REFORM Crist Proposes Tax Relief - Will it be Enough? (1/30/2007) Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio Calls for Tax Relief! State, County and City taxpayer dollars used to bring private corporation (SRI) to St. Petersburg. TAX DOLLARS WASTED ON POLITICAL ADVERTISING as Exposed by Howard Troxler of St. Pete Times.

Taxing and Spending Stories Cut Taxes Now has performed detailed research on taxing and spending habits of state and local governments.

LAND SALE SMELLS ROTTEN Pinellas County with highest "Rainy Day fund" in state: $146 Million in the bank (Taxpayer money that they would like back!) (At TBO.com). Cut Taxes Now Board Member Judi Reed (left), Research Chair Tom Murphy (sitting) and Committee Member Rod Moren analyze the St. Petersburg City Budget.  Committee member Sarah Lopez snapped this picture during the session at City Hall. A Penny for the Taxpayer or the Government? Pinellas County Property Taxes double in eight years as government asks to extend the Penny for Pinellas. Taxpayers Subsidize Groups in St. Petersburg. City of St. Petersburg Loses Taxpayer Money on Risky Port Gamble What Could Have Been - A Responsible Tax Policy Scenario. St. Petersburg refuses request to ROLLBACK THE TAX RATE in September 2006! "There were some talking about campaign contributions and  Quite honestly I don’t think any of us here really care in that regard. I can’t run again...."  St. Petersburg City Council Chair Bill Foster in response to Cut Taxes Now Chair advising that contributions could be raised that would educate voters. 9/14/06 City Council Meeting. Gulfport Candidates Sign Our Pledge. City of St. Petersburg Tax Record St. Pete City Council Members Votes 2000-2006 Comments by City Council members Bennet, Flowers and Kriseman Renee Flowers and 2007 Property Tax vote.