How many times have I heard human resource professionals say “ I really wish my company would recognize me as a strategic partner instead of the personnel guy” This has long been the dilemma of HR professionals and a source of many a topic of conversation.
The major concern of many human resources professionals is how to build or reshape the human resources function into a strategic partner. Our profession is viewed as an administrative function with little or no voice in determining how the business operates and a perception (and in some cases reality) of a human resources department with no impact on the organization.
Moving a human resources function from an administrative role to a strategic partner takes a great deal of effort and time. Many organizations may not desire to have their human resources department as a business partner. However, this change to a strategic partner role can be made if you understand the process that is required to be viewed as “one of the boys (or girls) that has earned the right to sit at the table.
One of my immediate goals upon becoming the Director of Human Resources for a hospitality development company was to transform the human resources function from an administrative function to a true operational partner. Although this effort was met with a great deal of departmental resistance and took a fair amount of time, it can be accomplished and I have provided some guidelines that may prove to be valuable.
The “Operational Friendly” Human Resource Department
A human resources department that is viewed as easily approachable and trusted is imperative in transforming the function to a business partner. If its customer base does not trust human resources, it will always be viewed as an "outsider" with no influence on the business operation. Respect and value to the organization is EARNED, not given. How are you perceived in your role?
Leadership
The senior human resource professional must possess the “drive and desire” to direct the new Human Resource Department. While there may be comfort in the “everyday” role and responsibilities, senior management cannot visualize the contributions made. There are risks associated with running a company and the human resource professional must be able to both understand those risks and be prepared to contribute to overcoming them.
Remember, no risk – no reward.
Understanding the Business
Do you, as the human resources professional, truly understand the business, product produced or service performed? If you cannot speak the language of your business partner, you can never be seen as a business partner. A very simple concept, but a most powerful one. Get out of your office and make every effort to understand the product or service your organization produces. Ask for help, training or maybe “work the line”. From my own experience, the human resource professional must visit the business sites, speak to those that are “doing the job every day” and understand the pitfalls as well as the successes.
Human Resource Objectives verses Business Objectives
Do your departmental goals contribute to the success of the business? If not, get this realigned immediately. If you are unsure of the business goals and objectives, you are most certainly not viewed as a strategic partner. Review the goals with your senior management team, read the annual report, understand the roadblocks to the success of your product and align your departmental goals to contribute to the success of the company.
HR Metrics
This is your “report card”. If what your department is doing is not measurable, how do you know if your efforts are successful. That which be measured can be controlled. This is a fact that human resources professionals must live with every day. Review your key goals and objectives for the human resource function and make sure that your results can be measured.
In summary, the credibility of the human resources function within the organization will always be challenged. Becoming a strategic partner takes time and effort as well as a complete rethinking (and reengineering) of our profession and its role in the business. Reshaping the human resources profession into a strategic business partner provides us with many more ways we can contribute to the success of OUR business.
Martin McDonough is an experienced human resources professional with operational and staff experience in the human resources and training discipline. Mr. McDonough is well recognized for his cutting-edge philosophies and partnering with organizations to redefine the HR role.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Stripping Freedoms - One at a Time
Just the other day I read this article. How many times have I heard that "loud pipes save lives" in a conversation with my Brother and Sister riders. Driver EDUCATION saves lives. Teaching drivers to look out for other moving vehicles saves lives. Getting off the cell phone most certainly saves lives. Loud pipes or new legislation - That DOES NOT save lives....it just pisses people off. Read on my Brothers an Sisters......
MILWAUKEE - Cities from New York to Denver are giving motorcyclists the silent treatment.
That worries riders rights groups, which fear that a wave of ordinances aimed at muffling Harley-Davidsons, hushing Hondas and stifling Suzukis will create a confusing patchwork of laws that motorcyclists won't be able to navigate. The motorcycle industry is concerned it could turn these frustrated riders away.
"From our perspective, this creates enormous problems for us because people notice the one motorcycle that makes a lot of noise," said Bill Wood, spokesman for the American Motorcyclist Association. "They don't notice the 50 that pass that don't. So there's a perception that motorcycles are noisy."
Ordinances come in many forms. Some are against certain types of products, like mufflers that would rattle the apples off of trees, but others are aimed more on the intent of the driver, who may want to turn some heads or rile up the neighbors on a Sunday afternoon.
•As of July 1, riders in New York City are subject to a minimum $440 fine for having a muffler or exhaust system audible more than 200 feet.
•In Lancaster, Pa., starting this month riders and all motor vehicle drivers could be ticketed for drawing attention to themselves, whether by creating too much noise by revving their engines or doing hard accelerations. Tickets start at $150.
•As of July 1, motorcyclists in Denver could be ticketed $500 for putting mufflers on their bikes made by someone other than the original manufacturer, if the bike is 25 years old or less. These so-called after-market products can be louder than their manufacturer-made counterparts.
Denver's plan is unique because it targets the after-market equipment. Wood said it limits riders' freedom to choose what products to use. Many motorcyclists who need to replace parts use these products, rather than go to a dealer, which can be more expensive, Wood said.
Ordinances restricting motorcycle noise have been around for years. The American Motorcyclist Association does not track the number of ordinances and often hears about them only as they're being passed, Wood said.
The association would rather see an ordinance that targets all vehicles or uses a decibel test to measure actual noise output.
The changes leave riders confused, said Pamela Amette, vice president of the Motorcycle Industry Council, the industry's trade group. Enforcement can be subjective, too.
The Council is working with the American Society of Engineers to establish a sound test that would help equalize enforcement. A similar test has been set for off-road bikes, and several states have adopted it, Amette said.
The group hopes to have the test ready next year. The new tests could even heighten demand for quieter systems, she said, because riders will know what they need.
"Unless it's very precise and adopted uniformly, then it's just really not fair to the riders and to the industry," Amette said.
The stakes for the industry are big. There were 1.1 million new motorcycles sold for $9.8 billion in 2005, the most recent year available, the Council said. Parts, including those after-market mufflers, accessories and riding apparel, were an additional $2.8 billion.
Noise complaints of all types are on the rise, as more Americans feel they are losing control of their neighborhoods, said Ted Rueter, who leads a national antinoise group. Denver's ordinance is music to his ears.
"I think more and more people are putting pressure on communities," said Rueter, director of Noise Free America, based in Madison, Wis. "That fact that Denver has done so is going to give a lot of encouragement to people who love peace and quiet."
Harley-Davidson, which tried in the 1990s to trademark its products' distinctive rumble, is monitoring the growth of antinoise ordinances that target motorcyclists, said Rebecca Bortner, a Harley spokeswoman.
The Milwaukee-based motorcycle maker feels the issue is less about the equipment and more about what riders do with it. The company asked its dealers a few years ago to stop carrying the loudest of after-market mufflers, straight unmuffled pipes, Bortner said.
All motorcycles sold for road use in the United States are subject to federal noise laws keeping them within a certain range of decibels, below 80 decibels from 50 feet away, said the industry council's Amette. A good rule of thumb is that your average motorcycle, as approved by government standards, should hum like a sewing machine, she said.
MILWAUKEE - Cities from New York to Denver are giving motorcyclists the silent treatment.
That worries riders rights groups, which fear that a wave of ordinances aimed at muffling Harley-Davidsons, hushing Hondas and stifling Suzukis will create a confusing patchwork of laws that motorcyclists won't be able to navigate. The motorcycle industry is concerned it could turn these frustrated riders away.
"From our perspective, this creates enormous problems for us because people notice the one motorcycle that makes a lot of noise," said Bill Wood, spokesman for the American Motorcyclist Association. "They don't notice the 50 that pass that don't. So there's a perception that motorcycles are noisy."
Ordinances come in many forms. Some are against certain types of products, like mufflers that would rattle the apples off of trees, but others are aimed more on the intent of the driver, who may want to turn some heads or rile up the neighbors on a Sunday afternoon.
•As of July 1, riders in New York City are subject to a minimum $440 fine for having a muffler or exhaust system audible more than 200 feet.
•In Lancaster, Pa., starting this month riders and all motor vehicle drivers could be ticketed for drawing attention to themselves, whether by creating too much noise by revving their engines or doing hard accelerations. Tickets start at $150.
•As of July 1, motorcyclists in Denver could be ticketed $500 for putting mufflers on their bikes made by someone other than the original manufacturer, if the bike is 25 years old or less. These so-called after-market products can be louder than their manufacturer-made counterparts.
Denver's plan is unique because it targets the after-market equipment. Wood said it limits riders' freedom to choose what products to use. Many motorcyclists who need to replace parts use these products, rather than go to a dealer, which can be more expensive, Wood said.
Ordinances restricting motorcycle noise have been around for years. The American Motorcyclist Association does not track the number of ordinances and often hears about them only as they're being passed, Wood said.
The association would rather see an ordinance that targets all vehicles or uses a decibel test to measure actual noise output.
The changes leave riders confused, said Pamela Amette, vice president of the Motorcycle Industry Council, the industry's trade group. Enforcement can be subjective, too.
The Council is working with the American Society of Engineers to establish a sound test that would help equalize enforcement. A similar test has been set for off-road bikes, and several states have adopted it, Amette said.
The group hopes to have the test ready next year. The new tests could even heighten demand for quieter systems, she said, because riders will know what they need.
"Unless it's very precise and adopted uniformly, then it's just really not fair to the riders and to the industry," Amette said.
The stakes for the industry are big. There were 1.1 million new motorcycles sold for $9.8 billion in 2005, the most recent year available, the Council said. Parts, including those after-market mufflers, accessories and riding apparel, were an additional $2.8 billion.
Noise complaints of all types are on the rise, as more Americans feel they are losing control of their neighborhoods, said Ted Rueter, who leads a national antinoise group. Denver's ordinance is music to his ears.
"I think more and more people are putting pressure on communities," said Rueter, director of Noise Free America, based in Madison, Wis. "That fact that Denver has done so is going to give a lot of encouragement to people who love peace and quiet."
Harley-Davidson, which tried in the 1990s to trademark its products' distinctive rumble, is monitoring the growth of antinoise ordinances that target motorcyclists, said Rebecca Bortner, a Harley spokeswoman.
The Milwaukee-based motorcycle maker feels the issue is less about the equipment and more about what riders do with it. The company asked its dealers a few years ago to stop carrying the loudest of after-market mufflers, straight unmuffled pipes, Bortner said.
All motorcycles sold for road use in the United States are subject to federal noise laws keeping them within a certain range of decibels, below 80 decibels from 50 feet away, said the industry council's Amette. A good rule of thumb is that your average motorcycle, as approved by government standards, should hum like a sewing machine, she said.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Hurricane Grants Off-Limits For Many
This program was a SCAM of paramount proportions. When it was rolled out, it seemed like something I should participate in. I waited, made the frist calls, made the first cut, got a control number, waited for confirmation, got confirmation, waited some more, got an inspection and GOT REJECTED as I DO NOT live in a WIND FIELD DEBRIS ZONE!! What an absolute waste of over a year. One more hit for the little guy, one more WASTED vote for Charlie "Special Friends" Crist. See text below
TAMPA - The state's My Safe Florida Home program was launched a year ago as a way to give all Floridians a chance to fortify their homes against hurricane damage.
But recent changes in state law have eliminated half the state from eligibility, including most of Hillsborough County and all of Polk County, which was ravaged by hurricanes three years ago.
In fact, the changes leave only coastal counties - home to the state's wealthiest residents - eligible for the state grants. Friends of JEB!!!!
As of May, only residents of counties that fall inside a designated "wind-borne debris region" are eligible for the grants, which match a homeowner's cost to reinforce the home with up to $5,000 in state money.
The eligible areas are those most likely to be reached by winds over 120 mph.
Before May, everyone in Florida was eligible for the grants provided the home was insured for no more than $500,000 and the owner had a homestead exemption.
Applicants for the grants in Hillsborough and other ineligible areas are just now learning they can't get state help, and they aren't happy.
"People are very much frustrated about how the law has changed," said Jim Ford, who is administering the program in Hillsborough County. "I've been talking to folks who had been in the process for a while, getting their documents ready and trying to schedule an inspection, only to find out that now they're not eligible."
'I Ran Through All The Hoops'
Ford said he's been fielding an average of 20 calls a day from residents trying to figure out whether they qualify. Of the people he's talked to this month, only two have had homes that fall into the "wind-borne debris region."
The state continues to pay for an inspector to visit homes that are no longer eligible and to leave homeowners with a report on what they need to fortify their homes, although no state money will be forthcoming to help with the cost.
David Hardingham signed up last fall to have his Tampa home inspected, but he said an inspector didn't arrive until May 6, five days after the law changed. The inspector generated a report, although his home near Carrollwood is no longer eligible.
"I ran through all the hoops," Hardingham said. "I got all my paperwork in, but then they took so long to do the wind inspection that basically by the time they came out, I wasn't eligible anymore. What really gets me is I did all this, and then they changed the rules."
Of the 53,000 people in the state who applied for inspections during the program's pilot phase that began in August, nearly 18,000 didn't receive their inspections until after May, making them ineligible for the grants.
Despite that, the state paid for the 18,000 inspections and will continue to pay for inspections regardless of eligibility.
"We feel that it's valuable for everyone to get an inspection even if they're not eligible, so at least they know how safe they are," said Tara Klimek, a spokeswoman for Florida's Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who oversees the program.
Then-Gov. Jeb Bush unveiled the grant program with a budget of $250 million during an annual hurricane conference in May 2006.
It was part of an insurance bill the Legislature passed earlier that year and immediately drew attention from homeowners before Bush even signed the legislation.
Under the original provisions, the state would pay up to $5,000 for homeowners to reinforce their houses and the homeowner pay an equal amount for a total of $10,000. It was limited to homes with an insured value of $500,000 or less and restricted to owners with a homestead exemption. Mobile homes did not qualify.
Victim Of Its Popularity
A free inspection by a state-certified inspector would detail what improvements were needed such as improved shingles, reinforcing exterior and garage doors and window shutters. Homeowners who met low-income requirements would not have to pay the matching money for up to $5,000 in improvements.
Homeowners were supposed to be eligible for reductions of insurance premiums when the work was complete.
The program quickly suffered from its own popularity.
It was intended to cover 50,000 applicants. By the end of August, two weeks after the state began accepting applications for inspections, more than 50,000 homeowners had applied.
The law was retooled by this year's Legislature. It dropped the insured value of eligible homes to $300,000 and added this provision: That all eligible homes must be in a "wind-borne debris region" as defined by international building codes. Although the law didn't spell it out, that code specifies areas where winds of 120 mph or more are likely to hit, meaning coastal areas.
As passed, only six of the state's 67 counties are entirely covered now: Pinellas, Sarasota, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Escambia. Thirty counties are partially covered, with only slivers of Hillsborough and Pasco counties making the cut.
Sen. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, et who sponsored the Senate's version of the bill, and Rep. Trey Traviesa, R-Tampa, who sponsored the House bill, could not be reached Tuesday.
Ford, the program's administrator in Hillsborough, said he tries to explain to homeowners why they are ineligible.
"Some seem to understand," he said. "But then you get the individual that says, 'That's fine and well, but I've gotten hurricane force winds several times.'
"It's based on designated criteria. But does it mean your home won't be subject to flying debris? Obviously not."
Once again, FOJ (Friends of Jeb) get all the booty. People like us just get kicked in the booty.
TAMPA - The state's My Safe Florida Home program was launched a year ago as a way to give all Floridians a chance to fortify their homes against hurricane damage.
But recent changes in state law have eliminated half the state from eligibility, including most of Hillsborough County and all of Polk County, which was ravaged by hurricanes three years ago.
In fact, the changes leave only coastal counties - home to the state's wealthiest residents - eligible for the state grants. Friends of JEB!!!!
As of May, only residents of counties that fall inside a designated "wind-borne debris region" are eligible for the grants, which match a homeowner's cost to reinforce the home with up to $5,000 in state money.
The eligible areas are those most likely to be reached by winds over 120 mph.
Before May, everyone in Florida was eligible for the grants provided the home was insured for no more than $500,000 and the owner had a homestead exemption.
Applicants for the grants in Hillsborough and other ineligible areas are just now learning they can't get state help, and they aren't happy.
"People are very much frustrated about how the law has changed," said Jim Ford, who is administering the program in Hillsborough County. "I've been talking to folks who had been in the process for a while, getting their documents ready and trying to schedule an inspection, only to find out that now they're not eligible."
'I Ran Through All The Hoops'
Ford said he's been fielding an average of 20 calls a day from residents trying to figure out whether they qualify. Of the people he's talked to this month, only two have had homes that fall into the "wind-borne debris region."
The state continues to pay for an inspector to visit homes that are no longer eligible and to leave homeowners with a report on what they need to fortify their homes, although no state money will be forthcoming to help with the cost.
David Hardingham signed up last fall to have his Tampa home inspected, but he said an inspector didn't arrive until May 6, five days after the law changed. The inspector generated a report, although his home near Carrollwood is no longer eligible.
"I ran through all the hoops," Hardingham said. "I got all my paperwork in, but then they took so long to do the wind inspection that basically by the time they came out, I wasn't eligible anymore. What really gets me is I did all this, and then they changed the rules."
Of the 53,000 people in the state who applied for inspections during the program's pilot phase that began in August, nearly 18,000 didn't receive their inspections until after May, making them ineligible for the grants.
Despite that, the state paid for the 18,000 inspections and will continue to pay for inspections regardless of eligibility.
"We feel that it's valuable for everyone to get an inspection even if they're not eligible, so at least they know how safe they are," said Tara Klimek, a spokeswoman for Florida's Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who oversees the program.
Then-Gov. Jeb Bush unveiled the grant program with a budget of $250 million during an annual hurricane conference in May 2006.
It was part of an insurance bill the Legislature passed earlier that year and immediately drew attention from homeowners before Bush even signed the legislation.
Under the original provisions, the state would pay up to $5,000 for homeowners to reinforce their houses and the homeowner pay an equal amount for a total of $10,000. It was limited to homes with an insured value of $500,000 or less and restricted to owners with a homestead exemption. Mobile homes did not qualify.
Victim Of Its Popularity
A free inspection by a state-certified inspector would detail what improvements were needed such as improved shingles, reinforcing exterior and garage doors and window shutters. Homeowners who met low-income requirements would not have to pay the matching money for up to $5,000 in improvements.
Homeowners were supposed to be eligible for reductions of insurance premiums when the work was complete.
The program quickly suffered from its own popularity.
It was intended to cover 50,000 applicants. By the end of August, two weeks after the state began accepting applications for inspections, more than 50,000 homeowners had applied.
The law was retooled by this year's Legislature. It dropped the insured value of eligible homes to $300,000 and added this provision: That all eligible homes must be in a "wind-borne debris region" as defined by international building codes. Although the law didn't spell it out, that code specifies areas where winds of 120 mph or more are likely to hit, meaning coastal areas.
As passed, only six of the state's 67 counties are entirely covered now: Pinellas, Sarasota, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Escambia. Thirty counties are partially covered, with only slivers of Hillsborough and Pasco counties making the cut.
Sen. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, et who sponsored the Senate's version of the bill, and Rep. Trey Traviesa, R-Tampa, who sponsored the House bill, could not be reached Tuesday.
Ford, the program's administrator in Hillsborough, said he tries to explain to homeowners why they are ineligible.
"Some seem to understand," he said. "But then you get the individual that says, 'That's fine and well, but I've gotten hurricane force winds several times.'
"It's based on designated criteria. But does it mean your home won't be subject to flying debris? Obviously not."
Once again, FOJ (Friends of Jeb) get all the booty. People like us just get kicked in the booty.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Governor Crist Response
Governor Charlie Crist announced his suggestions for reducing the propertytax burden by $34 billion on Florida’s homeowners, businesses and rentersover a five-year period. The Governor’s proposal would encourage homeownership while also capping runaway spending by local governments. TheGovernor will continue to work with the legislature upon their return forthe special session in June.
This plan would provide immediate relief to both those who are barred fromthe American dream of owning their first home and those current homeownerswho feel unable to move and trapped by skyrocketing property taxes,Governor Crist said. By providing immediate relief now along with a planfor future reductions, we can reverse the trend of high property taxes andmake living in Florida more affordable.Details of the plan include four components, including immediately rollingback local government revenue caps to 2003 levels, with an allowance forinflation and growth. Under the Governor’s proposal, Florida homeownerswill benefit from a 12 percent tax cut on their property taxes on theirhomestead in 2007 and 21.5 percent in 2008. This measure would provide thehomeowner of an average-priced home of $290,000 a savings of $340 on their2007 property taxes. Over five years, each present-day homeowner wouldsave $1,987 in property taxes because property taxes would not continuegrowing at their current rate.The revenues of local governments have ballooned over $17 billion beyond aresponsible growth rate during the past five years, taking money out of thetaxpayers’ pockets, Governor Crist said.
We must give the people ofFlorida hope that relief from this tax burden is on the way.Governor Crist also proposed three additional components that require aconstitutional amendment for voter consideration. The constitutionalamendment would phase in three additional savings for property owners by2008:· Provide an additional homestead exemption of $25,000. This measurewould provide an additional average savings of $238. In addition to thetax rollback in 2007, the homeowner’s total savings would be an average of$601. If passed by voters in 2007, this property tax savings would beginin 2008.· Make Save Our Homes Portable While Also Providing Assistance toFirst-Time Home Buyers. Governor Crist proposes making the Save Our Homescap portable statewide so that homeowners can take their current taxsavings with them when they move. In the first year alone, the homeownerwho purchases an average-priced home of $290,000 is expected to save anadditional $923 in property taxes. If passed by voters in 2007, thisproperty tax savings would apply to individuals who buy homes in 2007 andwould affect their 2008 taxes.Because portability of the Save Our Homes cap applies only to existinghomeowners, an additional measure would ensure that first-time home buyersin Florida and new residents to the state would also benefit.
GovernorCrist recommends providing a 25 percent exemption for first-time homebuyers, which would provide a savings of $546, or 11.9 percent.· Exempt the first $25,000 of businesses’ tangible personal property.Businesses would save $200 million annually on this property tax. Ifpassed by voters in 2007, this property tax savings would also begin in2008. By 2011, this exemption will save businesses a total of $800million.I applaud House Speaker Marco Rubio and Senate President Ken Pruitt and theleadership of the House and Senate for their tireless work on exploringpossible ways to reform property taxes, Governor Crist said. Now is thetime to come together and find a way to relieve the financial burden on ourcitizens.
Except for the exemption on businesses’ tangible personal property,Governor Crist’s property tax reform proposals do not affect funding forschools.Earlier in the week, Governor Crist visited with about 300 citizens in PalmBeach Gardens and about 100 citizens in Orlando during town hall meetingsto hear their concerns about rising property taxes. Lt. Governor JeffKottkamp held similar town hall meetings in Punta Gorda and Pensacola.We are hearing over and over that Floridians need hope that their propertytaxes will come down so that they can continue living in Florida, Lt.Governor Kottkamp said. This issue is impacting every Floridian, and it istime for us to make changes that will make Florida affordable once again.
This plan would provide immediate relief to both those who are barred fromthe American dream of owning their first home and those current homeownerswho feel unable to move and trapped by skyrocketing property taxes,Governor Crist said. By providing immediate relief now along with a planfor future reductions, we can reverse the trend of high property taxes andmake living in Florida more affordable.Details of the plan include four components, including immediately rollingback local government revenue caps to 2003 levels, with an allowance forinflation and growth. Under the Governor’s proposal, Florida homeownerswill benefit from a 12 percent tax cut on their property taxes on theirhomestead in 2007 and 21.5 percent in 2008. This measure would provide thehomeowner of an average-priced home of $290,000 a savings of $340 on their2007 property taxes. Over five years, each present-day homeowner wouldsave $1,987 in property taxes because property taxes would not continuegrowing at their current rate.The revenues of local governments have ballooned over $17 billion beyond aresponsible growth rate during the past five years, taking money out of thetaxpayers’ pockets, Governor Crist said.
We must give the people ofFlorida hope that relief from this tax burden is on the way.Governor Crist also proposed three additional components that require aconstitutional amendment for voter consideration. The constitutionalamendment would phase in three additional savings for property owners by2008:· Provide an additional homestead exemption of $25,000. This measurewould provide an additional average savings of $238. In addition to thetax rollback in 2007, the homeowner’s total savings would be an average of$601. If passed by voters in 2007, this property tax savings would beginin 2008.· Make Save Our Homes Portable While Also Providing Assistance toFirst-Time Home Buyers. Governor Crist proposes making the Save Our Homescap portable statewide so that homeowners can take their current taxsavings with them when they move. In the first year alone, the homeownerwho purchases an average-priced home of $290,000 is expected to save anadditional $923 in property taxes. If passed by voters in 2007, thisproperty tax savings would apply to individuals who buy homes in 2007 andwould affect their 2008 taxes.Because portability of the Save Our Homes cap applies only to existinghomeowners, an additional measure would ensure that first-time home buyersin Florida and new residents to the state would also benefit.
GovernorCrist recommends providing a 25 percent exemption for first-time homebuyers, which would provide a savings of $546, or 11.9 percent.· Exempt the first $25,000 of businesses’ tangible personal property.Businesses would save $200 million annually on this property tax. Ifpassed by voters in 2007, this property tax savings would also begin in2008. By 2011, this exemption will save businesses a total of $800million.I applaud House Speaker Marco Rubio and Senate President Ken Pruitt and theleadership of the House and Senate for their tireless work on exploringpossible ways to reform property taxes, Governor Crist said. Now is thetime to come together and find a way to relieve the financial burden on ourcitizens.
Except for the exemption on businesses’ tangible personal property,Governor Crist’s property tax reform proposals do not affect funding forschools.Earlier in the week, Governor Crist visited with about 300 citizens in PalmBeach Gardens and about 100 citizens in Orlando during town hall meetingsto hear their concerns about rising property taxes. Lt. Governor JeffKottkamp held similar town hall meetings in Punta Gorda and Pensacola.We are hearing over and over that Floridians need hope that their propertytaxes will come down so that they can continue living in Florida, Lt.Governor Kottkamp said. This issue is impacting every Floridian, and it istime for us to make changes that will make Florida affordable once again.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Wasted Tax Dollars
Ok, enough is enough. It seems like the campaigning for the presidential elections begin earlier and earlier. Do these elected officials that have decided to run for the Office of President have real jobs? Are the taxpayers of their home state getting what their tax dollars are paying for? It may be appropriate to find out just how many days the Obama's, Clinton's and other candidates have spent in their home state or Washington DC doing the job that they were elected to do. Maybe it is time for campaign reform as I for one do not need 18 months (or more) of posturing prior to an election in 2008. Get off the campaign trail and do your job. Those are the results that America will judge you by and vote accordingly.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Florida Insurance and Water Crisis
An Open Letter to Charlie Crist:
Mr. Crist, contrary to popular belief, I did not create the insurance or water crisis in Florida! First things first. I voted for you Mr. Crist because I BELIEVED that you wanted to make a difference. You convinced me that you were the best candidate for the job and one where I believe my trust to be well placed. Was I wrong?
On the front page of The Tampa Tribune (“Nationwide Rates Set To Rise”, Saturday, March 31, 2007) it appears that your work related to insurance rates has made little difference in the minds of the insurance companies. Nationwide is the first of what appears to be a long list of challengers to the premium reduction agreement. It is quite clear that this demands further attention, to include the possibility of using Citizens as the ONLY insurer in the State and revoking all other homeowner insurance companies charters. Drastic times require drastic matters so let’s get busy.
As to the water crisis in Florida, I did not create this problem, yet I am penalized for it. Counties restricting how and when I can irrigate my property?? I do not think so. If the State of Florida had addressed this issue years ago with additional desalinization facilities (multiple) on each coast, we would be reaping the benefits today. Unlike the Apollo Beach disaster, there ARE reputable companies that WILL build plants that work – on time and on budget, if the process is MANAGED. I will not be changing my irrigation behavior because the State of Florida has not MANAGED the process. On one hand, I am told to curtail the use of irrigation, yet Hillsborough County (as well as most others in Florida) allows developers to continue at an unchecked pace.
Mr. Crist, I might suggest that you dismiss all those highly paid professional engineers and advisors and come and speak to those of us that know how to think and will be accountable for our actions. Make no mistake; Florida is on a slippery slope as well as the verge of social unrest. The day of civil disobedience is at hand and only going to get worse if left unchecked or unaddressed.
Please do not let my trust in you as well as my vote mean nothing.
Mr. Crist, contrary to popular belief, I did not create the insurance or water crisis in Florida! First things first. I voted for you Mr. Crist because I BELIEVED that you wanted to make a difference. You convinced me that you were the best candidate for the job and one where I believe my trust to be well placed. Was I wrong?
On the front page of The Tampa Tribune (“Nationwide Rates Set To Rise”, Saturday, March 31, 2007) it appears that your work related to insurance rates has made little difference in the minds of the insurance companies. Nationwide is the first of what appears to be a long list of challengers to the premium reduction agreement. It is quite clear that this demands further attention, to include the possibility of using Citizens as the ONLY insurer in the State and revoking all other homeowner insurance companies charters. Drastic times require drastic matters so let’s get busy.
As to the water crisis in Florida, I did not create this problem, yet I am penalized for it. Counties restricting how and when I can irrigate my property?? I do not think so. If the State of Florida had addressed this issue years ago with additional desalinization facilities (multiple) on each coast, we would be reaping the benefits today. Unlike the Apollo Beach disaster, there ARE reputable companies that WILL build plants that work – on time and on budget, if the process is MANAGED. I will not be changing my irrigation behavior because the State of Florida has not MANAGED the process. On one hand, I am told to curtail the use of irrigation, yet Hillsborough County (as well as most others in Florida) allows developers to continue at an unchecked pace.
Mr. Crist, I might suggest that you dismiss all those highly paid professional engineers and advisors and come and speak to those of us that know how to think and will be accountable for our actions. Make no mistake; Florida is on a slippery slope as well as the verge of social unrest. The day of civil disobedience is at hand and only going to get worse if left unchecked or unaddressed.
Please do not let my trust in you as well as my vote mean nothing.
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