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Governor Charlie Crist spent the day pushing the January 29th Property Tax Vote in several Florida cities today. In Tallahassee, Opponents rallied their forces, while, as Mike Vasilinda tells us, state lawmakers are looking past January 29th and the possibility the amendment will fail.

Hear It Here: The Property Tax Baby Few Want to Claim

Standing next to a large fire truck, opponents of the property tax amendment predicted fire protection as you know it will end with the passage of the January 29th amendment.

“This will have an adverse impact on public safety, as to your response times, your ability to have new stations,” Bob Carver with Florida Professional Firefighters said.

The organizers of this event were quick to point out that even if this amendment passes and fire service is curtailed somewhat, Charlie Crist wont have a problem because the Governor’s mansion is just four blocks down the road.

In addition to longer response times to your house, the firefighters are also predicting higher home insurance rates.

“As you have proper fire protection in your community, your insurance rates are lowered. There is a direct correlation between the two,” Carver said.

As the firefighters news conference broke, a ladder truck screamed from the station. It turned out to be a false alarm. House speaker Marco Rubio says the firefighters are fighting the amendment for the wrong reason.

“Government may very well need this money,” Rubio said. “But if people can’t afford to pay it, we shouldn’t take it from them.”

But Florida Democrats are also urging a “no” vote on January 29th, saying it is the only thing that will lead to real reform.

“I hope this thing fails. I hope we come up with a more holistic, statesmen-like approach,” Rep. Dan Gelber said.

To pass, the amendment must get at least 60 percent of the ballot cast. It is a benchmark few truly contested amendments have ever achieved.