Give me the $100

The Republicans and Democrats in our state legislature are proposing different forms of tax relief for Florida taxpayers this year. The GOP is proposing a week long sales tax holiday while the Democrats propose giving every property owner who has a homestead exemption $100.

I prefer the later. The former will not relieve Palm Beach County residents of the half cent local tax, plus I will never spend enough in a week to save $100. The Republicans like the Democrat's proposal, so the $100 does have a decent chance in the GOP controlled Florida legislature.

Open Post- Basil's Blog, Bright & Early, Right Wing Nation,

TALLAHASSEE - From plasma TVs to large appliances and even cars, Florida shoppers would dodge sales taxes on the first $5,000 of any purchase under a state Republican proposal Thursday to create the biggest weeklong sales tax ''holiday'' in state history.

Estimated cost to the state budget: about $500 million.

The election-year tax cut -- the largest in state history -- would be unique because it would apply to virtually any item, unlike previous holidays on sales taxes for back-to-school and hurricane supplies.

And unlike those tax holidays, this one would allow shoppers to receive the tax cut even if they buy a big-ticket item that exceeds the spending cap.

Potential savings: $300 from the 6 percent state sales tax rate on the maximum purchase. The holiday, which would not apply to business purchases or some county-levied sales taxes, would take place July 31 to Aug. 6.

House Republicans say they still want a separate back-to-school tax holiday -- and perhaps two more hurricane holidays that would bookend the storm season. Including a proposed elimination on stocks-and-bonds taxes, Republicans hope the total cost of this year's tax cuts could equal or exceed $1 billion -- a repeat of the 1999 cuts approved during Gov. Jeb Bush's first year in office. This year is his last.

A spokesman for Bush said he ''applauds'' the tax-holiday concept. It's backed by the speaker of the Florida House, Allan Bense, and next year's Senate president, Ken Pruitt. The current leader of the Senate, Tom Lee, said he ''could'' support the plan, but needs more information. All are Republicans.

Seeing the writing on the wall, House Democrats offered a counterproposal. Dropping the usual cries to spend more money on schools, social services or the environment, they want to send a $100 check to each of Florida's 4.2 million homesteaded property owners.

Republicans liked that idea, too.

''It's a great day when everyone agrees to cut taxes and the only dispute is how to do it,'' said Rep. Joe Negron, a Stuart Republican and House budget chief who's running for attorney general.