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A Look Back At Gov. Crist’s First Year In Office

December 31st, 2007 by flanews

In his first year in office, Governor Charlie Crist vowed to drastically cut property insurance and property taxes.  But so far, the jury is out.  As Chris Casquejo explains, the governor is betting that voters will change the state constitution in January to slash property taxes.

Hear it here: A Look Back At Gov. Crist’s First Year In Office

Charlie Crist’s first year began with a lot of promises.  He wasted no time signing insurance reforms into law, trading higher risk for the state for premium cuts.  But rates didn’t drop, and insurers are still public enemy number one for the governor.

“I think that they have violated the law,” Gov. Crist said.  “I think a class action lawsuit might be the appropriate way to go. And we’re investigating that option.”

The governor also tackled high property taxes head on, repeatedly promising that they would drop like a rock.  But when homeowners didn’t see big savings, lawmakers went back to work in October.

On January 29th, voters will decide whether to double the homestead exemption and allow their Save Our Homes benefit to go with them when they move.

“You want a property tax cut, vote yes on 1.  It’s that simple,” Crist said.

Despite the lack of progress, the governor is optimistic.

“We still gain 1,000 new people every single day,” he said.  “Jobs continue to come to Florida.  The climate is fantastic.  Where would you rather be than here?”

At least one cloud hovers over the start of the governor’s second year.  The stalled housing market and lower tax collections mean lawmakers have to slash the budget again after already cutting more than a billion dollars.

December 31st was the deadline to register to vote in January’s primary. 

Posted in Amendments, Charlie Crist, Elections, Insurance, Legislature, Politics, Property Taxes, State Budget, State News, Voting | No Comments »

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