NFIB Poll Story AT NFIB website
NFIB poll results:
Background: The
Florida Legislature is currently considering a number of options aimed at reducing commercial and personal property taxes
across the state. Please provide your insight and opinions on this two-page survey and fax back to (850) 561-6759 or (615)
874-5267 or mail to NFIB 110 E. Jefferson St., Tallahassee, FL 32301 BY TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6th. Please note that a proposal
to extend the 3 percent cap on annual valuations to all property was included on the 2007 Florida State Ballot and is not
included here.
1. Have your commercial
property taxes increased over the last year?
Yes 89.2% No 4.4% NA 6.4%
2. If so, by how much? 0-5% 16.4% 6-10% 16.8% 11-15% 12.0%
16-20% 8.8% Over 20% 34.0%
NA 12.0%
3. What percentage have your commercial
property taxes increased over the last:
Three years _____ Five years _____
4. How have you coped with the tax increases? (Check all that apply)
Increased
prices 42.0% Absorbed by business 64.4% Reduced employee benefits 16.4% Reduced staff 20.8% Other 6.8% NA 8.4%
5. Do you believe commercial property taxes pose a
threat to your business, now or in the future?
Yes 80.8% No 14.4% NA 4.8%
6. If so, are you considering (please check all that apply):
Reducing staff/benefits
35.2% Postponing expansion 39.2% Relocating out-of-state 15.6%
Closing business 13.6% Other 14.4% NA 21.6%
Questions 7 and 8: Property tax versus sales/services
tax
7. Do you support eliminating all property taxes in favor of a higher sales tax?
Yes 31.6% No 47.2% NA 21.2%
8. Do you support eliminating all property taxes in
favor of implementing a services tax?
Yes 18.0% No 59.2% NA 22.8%
Question 9: Property tax versus tangible personal property tax
9. Do you support keeping
commercial property taxes at current levels in favor of reducing/eliminating the tangible personal property tax applied to
businesses?
Yes 34.8% No 40.4% NA 24.8%
Question 10: Local government revenue caps
10. Do you support restricting revenue growth and spending
for local government, including counties, cities, school districts and special districts?
Yes 76.0% No 14.8% NA 9.2%
Question 11: Voter approval
of millage rates and local government budgets
11. Do you support requiring voter approval of millage rates and local
government budgets?
Yes 60.8% No 28.0% NA 11.2%
Question 12: Increased homestead exemptions
12. Do you support raising the homestead exemption from $25,000 to
$50,000?
Yes 66.0% No 29.2% NA 4.8%
Question
13: Portability of the “Save Our Homes” valuation cap
13. Do you support portability of the 3 percent cap
on annual valuation increases for homesteaded property?
Yes 71.2% No 22.0% NA 6.8%