Sunday, September 30, 2012

2012 Proposed Amendments to the State of Florida Constitution–Part II

 

I started a series last week commenting on the 2012 Proposed Amendments to the State of Florida Constitution.

You can get the whole list from the State of Florida. See if you can understand the intentional Doublespeak. Why would they do it this way? Don’t forget who controls the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee and who the Governor is.

In this installment we go to Amendment 4:

PROPERTY TAX LIMITATIONS; PROPERTY VALUE DECLINE; REDUCTION FOR NONHOMESTEAD ASSESSMENT INCREASES; DELAY OF SCHEDULED REPEAL

(1) This would amend Florida Constitution Article VII, Section 4 (Taxation; assessments) and Section 6 (Homestead exemptions). It also would amend Article XII, Section 27, and add Sections 32 and 33, relating to the Schedule for the amendments. (2) In certain circumstances, the law requires the assessed value of homestead and specified nonhomestead property to increase when the just value of the property decreases. Therefore, this amendment provides that the Legislature may, by general law, provide that the assessment of homestead and specified nonhomestead property may not increase if the just value of that property is less than the just value of the property on the preceding January 1, subject to any adjustment in the assessed value due to changes, additions, reductions, or improvements to such property which are assessed as provided for by general law. This amendment takes effect upon approval by the voters. If approved at a special election held on the date of the 2012 presidential preference primary, it shall operate retroactively to January 1, 2012, or, if approved at the 2012 general election, shall take effect January 1, 2013. (3) This amendment reduces from 10 percent to 5 percent the limitation on annual changes in assessments of nonhomestead real property. This amendment takes effect upon approval of the voters. If approved at a special election held on the date of the 2012 presidential preference primary, it shall operate retroactively to January 1, 2012, or, if approved at the 2012 general election, takes effect January 1, 2013. (4) This amendment also authorizes general law to provide, subject to conditions specified in such law, an additional homestead exemption to every person who establishes the right to receive the homestead exemption provided in the Florida Constitution within 1 year after purchasing the homestead property and who has not owned property in the previous 3 calendar years to which the Florida homestead exemption applied. The additional homestead exemption shall apply to all levies except school district levies. The additional exemption is an amount equal to 50 percent of the homestead property's just value on January 1 of the year the homestead is established. The additional homestead exemption may not exceed an amount equal to the median just value of all homestead property within the county where the property at issue is located for the calendar year immediately preceding January 1 of the year the homestead is established. The additional exemption shall apply for the shorter of 5 years or the year of sale of the property. The amount of the additional exemption shall be reduced in each subsequent year by an amount equal to 20 percent of the amount of the additional exemption received in the year the homestead was established or by an amount equal to the difference between the just value of the property and the assessed value of the property determined under Article VII, Section 4(d), whichever is greater. Not more than one such exemption shall be allowed per homestead property at one time. The additional exemption applies to property purchased on or after January 1, 2011, if approved by the voters at a special election held on the date of the 2012 presidential preference primary, or to property purchased on or after January 1, 2012, if approved by the voters at the 2012 general election. The additional exemption is not available in the sixth and subsequent years after it is first received. The amendment shall take effect upon approval by the voters. If approved at a special election held on the date of the 2012 presidential preference primary, it shall operate retroactively to January 1, 2012, or, if approved at the 2012 general election, takes effect January 1, 2013. (5) This amendment also delays until 2023, the repeal, currently scheduled to take effect in 2019, of constitutional amendments adopted in 2008 which limit annual assessment increases for specified nonhomestead real property. This amendment delays until 2022 the submission of an amendment proposing the abrogation of such repeal to the voters.

An easy one to read. Short too! Do you think uninformed voters will take the time and be able to decipher this and make a conscientious decision while in the voting booth?

This gobbledygook is in effect a reduction in property taxes. I received a political ad in the mail from an outfit called TaxYourAssetsOff.com urging me to vote yes on this one.

They claim:

#1 – It protects YOU from rising property taxes

#2 – It helps small businesses and renters

#3 – It will encourage first-time homebuyers

#4 – It will create jobs and stimulate the economy

I dislike being pushed by special interests in mailed political ads and I could not independently confirm their claims that it will “create nearly 20,000 jobs and add nearly $5.3 billion to the pockets of taxpayers”. Sounds too good to be true, but based on some common sense I am inclined to see this as a benefit as presumably more money in the pockets of the people will get them to spend some more in the economy, or at least pay debt or save.

On the other hand, given the State’s budget deficit, more reductions in taxes are problematic. I’ll give this a Yes NO (edited after reading the opinion in The Miami Herald which contends that there’s no reason to change the State Constitution. I agree). Feel free to set me wrong and make me change if you do not agree. There is still time left (four weeks) till election day.

So far, on all the proposed amendments I have considered in this series so far, all are NO.

How to burn 800 calories in only 30 minutes

 

funny-burnt-pizza-black

From Amazing Creations via G+

When can I get one?

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Expert advice

 

2012 - 1

Photo of the Day


Embassy Row, Washington DC

Saturday, September 29, 2012

The first cellphone interruption of a musical performance?

 

The first episode of Get Smart. Mel Brooks and Buck Henry were visionaries.

Part I

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Part II

Part III

Who’s the poorest around here?

 

poorest

Debt

 

debtincrease

The 7 biggest economic lies

 

Pass it on and spread the truth

By Robert Reich

 

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Mellow Yellow–Donovan (1966)

 

 

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Photo of the Day


Giant Panda
National Zoo, Washington DC

Friday, September 28, 2012

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Magnetic Induction Heating

 

Ultra high freq

 

How it works

Perhaps

 

questions

Why Your Phone, Cable & Internet Bills Cost So Much

 

From Yahoo! Finance:

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While everyone argues over Apple vs Samsung vs Android, EVERYONE MISSES THE POINT.  True evil are the telcos.  They have burnt through US$500 BILLION of YOUR money to deliver the following:


“Americans pay four times as much as the French for an Internet triple-play package—phone, cable TV and Internet—at an average of $160 per month versus $38 per month.
The French get global free calling and worldwide live television. Their Internet is also 10 times faster at downloading information and 20 times faster uploading it.
Americans pay 38 times as much as the Japanese for Internet data.”

(Thanks Adam for pointing to the article)

Glenn Miller - Chattanooga Choo Choo - Sun Valley Serenade (1941)

 

Sun Valley Serenade is the first of the only two movies featuring The Glenn Miller Orchestra (the other is 1942's Orchestra Wives)

The amazing dancers are The Nicholas Brothers.

YouTube link

Photo of the Day


Metro Center station, Washington DC Metro

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

The Daily Show: Barack Obama is the luckiest dude on the planet

 

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Joe Scarborough reacts to Romney clip–Facepalm

 

When their own GOP chatterbox goes this way, what else is there to be said?

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Photo of the Day


National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

2012 Proposed Amendments to the State of Florida Constitution–Part I

 

Looking at the 2012 Proposed Amendments to the State of Florida Constitution, which will be in the ballot this coming November for the General Election I see the disgusting hand of the Republican-controlled Legislature.

You would think, in a perfect world, that you would get to vote on sensible, rational, non-partisan ideas for the betterment of the citizens of the State. Not in Florida, not this time.

There are 12 (twelve) amendments.
http://election.dos.state.fl.us/initiatives/initiativelist.asp?year=2012&initstatus=ALL&MadeBallot=Y&ElecType=GEN

Take a look at this sample:

1. HEALTH CARE SERVICES:
"Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to prohibit laws or rules from compelling any person or employer to purchase, obtain, or otherwise provide for health care coverage; permit a person or an employer to purchase lawful health care services directly from a health care provider; permit a health care provider to accept direct payment from a person or an employer for lawful health care services; exempt persons, employers, and health care providers from penalties and taxes for paying directly or accepting direct payment for lawful health care services; and prohibit laws or rules from abolishing the private market for health care coverage of any lawful health care service. Specifies that the amendment does not affect which health care services a health care provider is required to perform or provide; affect which health care services are permitted by law; prohibit care provided pursuant to general law relating to workers’ compensation; affect laws or rules in effect as of March 1, 2010; affect the terms or conditions of any health care system to the extent that those terms and conditions do not have the effect of punishing a person or an employer for paying directly for lawful health care services or a health care provider for accepting direct payment from a person or an employer for lawful health care services; or affect any general law passed by two-thirds vote of the membership of each house of the Legislature, passed after the effective date of the amendment, provided such law states with specificity the public necessity justifying the exceptions from the provisions of the amendment. The amendment expressly provides that it may not be construed to prohibit negotiated provisions in insurance contracts, network agreements, or other provider agreements contractually limiting copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, or other patient charges."

This is a blatant attempt to stop one of the most important parts of the Federal Affordable Care Act, he most significant regulatory overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system since the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965.

One of the key provisions is a shared responsibility requirement, commonly called an individual mandate, which requires that all individuals not covered by an employer sponsored health plan, Medicaid, Medicare or other public insurance programs, purchase and comply with an approved private insurance policy or pay a penalty, unless the applicable individual is a member of a recognized religious sect exempted by the Internal Revenue Service, or waived in cases of financial hardship.

Simply, this ensures that people will have coverage and will reduce the cost to everybody else, as hospitals now provide service to these people and then pass the cost to all of us.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act
http://www.healthcare.gov/law/index.html

I'll be voting NO on this one.


6. PROHIBITION ON PUBLIC FUNDING OF ABORTIONS; CONSTRUCTION OF ABORTION RIGHTS:
"This proposed amendment provides that public funds may not be expended for any abortion or for health-benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion. This prohibition does not apply to an expenditure required by federal law, a case in which a woman suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness that would place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, or a case of rape or incest. This proposed amendment provides that the State Constitution may not be interpreted to create broader rights to an abortion than those contained in the United States Constitution. With respect to abortion, this proposed amendment overrules court decisions which conclude that the right of privacy under Article I, Section 23 of the State Constitution is broader in scope than that of the United States Constitution."

Why? Have these people ever heard of Separation of Church and State? If your religious beliefs do not allow for abortions, then don't have one. Live and let live. There are women that for no fault of their own, get raped or pregnant. Some are their fault due to low education or simple stupidity. Forbidding these people to have access to safe, legal abortions (mind you, it is legal), will only force them to do it in back-alley shops.

Am I pro-abortion? No. It is something horrible that I do not wish on anyone. But I am not against it and I defend the freedom of having one for women that need it. Who are a bunch of white, rich, fat-cat Republicans in Tallahassee to decide what’s best for them?

I'll be voting NO on this one.


8. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM:
"Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution providing that no individual or entity may be denied, on the basis of religious identity or belief, governmental benefits, funding or other support, except as required by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, and deleting the prohibition against using revenues from the public treasury directly or indirectly in aid of any church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian institution."

Great title folks. It is so misleading that makes the gullible think that it increases religious freedom. Does it? All it does is it allows public funding of religious schools, in direct contravention of the US Constitution and the Separation of Church and State. If you want to send your kids to religious schools to be taught creationism, by all means. I am sorry for them, but it is your choice. To force public money into religious schools, opens a can of worms. Would you like your tax money funding Catholics schools? How about Mormon schools? How about an Islam Madrasah? Why not one for the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster instead?

I'll be voting NO on this one.

ORBX - Longview Ranch & Lands Inn

 

A new video by ateh1 on the newly released Longview Ranch (OG39) and Lands Inn by Orbx, for FSX Flight Simulator

This one has cattle invading the runway! Fearless ducks! Butterflies galore, and a Rottweiler guarding the place.

YouTube Video

and here is one of my shots at Lands Inn:

 

Photobucket

 

FS Flight Simulator (FSX)

Scenery and landclass by Orbx

Aircraft: Wacom YMF-5 by Alabeo

Repaint by JanKees

Help end the violence

2012 - 1

Photo of the Day


Indonesian Embassy at dawn, Washington DC

Monday, September 24, 2012

Glenn Miller - In The Mood

 

Picture is from the movie "The Glenn Miller Story" (1953) starring James Stewart

YouTube link

Photo of the Day


A change of pace. I have been posting photos from our vacation in Washington DC (still lots more to process and post).
I also have a lot left unprocessed from the 2012 Sun-N-Fun aviation show in Lakeland Florida, from earlier this year.
Here is a beautiful old lady, a Grumman Mallard.
Now back to Washington DC for tomorrow. Enjoy!

Sunday, September 23, 2012

BBC Infographic - How big is our own solar system?

 

BBC Infographic - How big is our own solar system?  The galaxies are far, far away - but how big is our own solar system?

http://www.bbc.com/future/bespoke/space_infographic.html

Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the drug store, but that's just peanuts to space.  (Douglas Adams)

Neptune discovered September 23, 1846

Neptune is the eighth and farthest planet from the Sun in the Solar System. It is the fourth-largest planet by diameter and the third-largest by mass. Neptune is 17 times the mass of Earth and is somewhat more massive than its near-twin Uranus, which is 15 times the mass of Earth but not as dense.

It was discovered independently by Urbain Le Verrier (1811-1877), John C. Adams (1819-1892), and Johann G. Galle (1812-1910). The official date is given as September 23, 1846 which is when Galle observed it for the first time, given the mathematical calculations prediction by Le Verrier and Adams.

(Credit: Wikipedia)

Who’s on first

 

Abbott & Costello’s immortal funny routine

 

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YouTube link

Say no to hunting

 

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YouTube link

Fear not

IaoSK

Photo of the Day


National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Memo to O’Reilly

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Photo of the Day


National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

Friday, September 21, 2012

Stop fooling yourselves

reps

Meanwhile, At The Apple Store

applestore

Irony

 

taxirony

 

irony2

 

Baldrick explains what irony is:

 

YouTube Link

ios6

imap

Photo of the Day

On our vacation in Washington DC, we visited many museums. The one I liked the most was the National Gallery of Art (West Gallery).




The painting is "A Girl with a Watering Can" by Renoir

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Oh! Ok then

inmydefense

Crapple

 

NASA-Apple

Talk like Pirate day (yesterday) got Fox News (not!) discombubulated

 

Fox And Friends Falsely Reports Obama Met With A Pirate This Week

 

The photo is old and shows the President has a sense of humor. Fox (not) News did not waste an opportunity to badmouth the guy they do not like (no, not the pirate).

It was taken as a punch line for a joke Obama delivered to the White House Correspondents Association dinner in 2009 about the administration talking to enemies as well as friends.

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YouTube Link

Talk_Like_a_Pirate_Day

Great grandma responds to Romney

 

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YouTube video

Crapple

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A case for duct tape

cartoon romney stop speaking

10th anniversary of Firefly

Firefly

Serenity Typography Animation

Rhapsody in Blue – George Gershwin

 

YouTube link

Original RC Ornithopter

 

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YouTube link

Photo of the Day


View from the Old Post Office building, Washington DC