Charlie Crist is lying on CSPAN this morning! What a crock!

[Sancho]

He's telling everyone that insurance rates are down, taxes down, schools excellent, etc.! He lives in the same county with me. He didn't tell about the rates for his own insurance (and his parents) skyrocketing last year. He also didn't report that Fl. is DEAD LAST in per capita support for higher education, the colleges have cut off admissions, and the Board of Governor's (higher education) have sued the legislature over support!

He is running, running, running for VP. One of the biggest liars ever to hold public office: Chain Gang Charlie!

[ixion]

1. liar... property taxes have increased, even though home prices fell

gotta love that spin... not. :grr:

[flashl]

2. Yes, beloved Charlie the first black governor.

Crist hailed as 'first black governor' - Topix

[Earth_First]

3. That's funny because we just received our tax assessment yesterday

and we've been reassessed to the tune of $7,600.

Mind you, we purchased this house only 7 months ago and the only capital improvements we've done to the place is remove a eighty foot diseased silver maple tree and replaced the roof.

Not to mention that because of the Republican controlled county legislature, our County Executive presented a 08/09 budget that cuts off sales tax revenue to the suburban school districts in order to plug gaps in the budget elsewhere. As a result some school districts (including ours) will receive increased school tax bill next year.

[yellowdogintexas]

7. the whole county was probably reassessed for the first time in maybe 3 or 4

years. Florida seems to be in a reassessment cycle right now. You can find out how often property is reassessed by calling the county assessor's office. You can appeal your assessment. Don't forget to get your homestead exemption, the assessment should show it if it is already in place ..it is worth $25K off that assessment value. Are you a disabled veteran? there is a small one for that. Also, if you purchased from a heavily exempted homeowner, you won't have their exemptions so this may be reflecting that. Were they over 65? disabled? retired military or disabled veteran? Any exemptions or discounts the seller had would drop off your assessment when change of ownership went through. Look yourself up on the county tax collector's website; Florida has excellent websites for this, by the way. You can see prior years on some of them, then you can tell how the assessment cycle runs in your county.

I do not think Florida automatically reassesses for change of ownership (other than for loss of specialized discounts as discussed above). It seems to be a countywide thing and I don't know if all counties reassess in the same year. Again, ask the assessor.

[Earth_First]

8. Oh yes, our house was heavily exempted

The previous owner was a retired, 71 year old widow.

We'll be eligible for a few exemptions come June. In our state (NY) one must own for a period of one full year before we are eligible for the two most substantial exemptions.

[edhopper]

10. You bought in Florida

during the biggest housing collapse in 60 years, what were you thinking?

[ThomWV]

4. I feel sorry for you guys if that turd is your Governor. He's a spin-machine, empty hat.

[yellowdogintexas]

5. do you think he is talking about homeowner's insurance, not health?

I work in an escrow dept for a major mortgage co and the taxes and insurance down there are unreal..the percentage of increase on insurance especially has been huge. er.. HUGH!!11... There were reassessments in many counties which drove the taxes sky high, more because the base number being used was twice what it was in prior years. Rates didn't change all that much, but if your house was assessed for 100K and suddenly it is assessed for 300K even if rates went down the taxes will go UP. and UP and UP

Florida is not the only state impacted by this we just really have a lot of homeowners down there so it was the first one we really saw it in. Indiana is in turmoil over this by the way

however, apparantly some sort of legislation set up a way for homeowners to get less expensive coverage via Florida based companies and I have taken a lot of calls involving replacement of existing insurance with these new lines of coverage, with nice reductions in premiums.

I am being told by my callers that legislation has done something with the taxes which should reflect in their tax bills in 2008, but I don't know if it is a bigger homestead exemption, or re assessment to reflect the drop in property values or what.

[KharmaTrain]

6. Just Wait...The Other Ticking Bomb...

As usual GOOPies cite old statistics that were cooked to begin with. The on-going real-estate crisis will soon be felt in his pocket...those empty houses with falling values will mean less tax revenues into his coffers and demands from the counties and municipalities to help cover their shortfalls as well. Be assured the banks will try to find ways to either defer texes or not pay them at all so those empty houses will be a drain on the local economy and an eyesoar. And where does the money to cover the shortfall come from? Ya think those nice properties on Palm Beach may chip in a little more? Naaaah...

Crist is a smooth talker...he's got that "seems sensible to me" type that will move up the ranks on the debris that will be left this fall.

[democrat in Tallahassee]

9. He can't move up; he's gay and that don't cut it with "value voters"

I'm not sure how they skirted the issue in his gubernatorial election; I guess it's because democrats don't see anything wrong with being gay and gave it a pass and Repubs were hiding it.

[monmouth]

13. I was just going to mention that, he better be careful for what he wishes

for 'cause if he's McCain's veep candidate that will come out in a big way. Repugs down here refused to listen or believe it, they were in shell shock over Foley.

[donsu]

11. agree and he looked like he had that spray-on tan

nt

[madfloridian]

12. State Farm won't write new policies here...Allstate won't provide papers..

State insurance will soon have to be the sole one...and rates will go sky high just like with private companies.