Increasing the Homestead Exemption

[fsu813]

Spoke with someone involved in local business thought leadership regarding this referendum. They said there's consensus among business that it's a net negative, but no consensus on how to dissuade it. Searching for the right voice/message, and searching for any type of statewide coordinated opposition - which there doesn't appear to be at the moment. I imagine various Chambers of Commerce may feel too intimidated to publicly oppose now... we'll see in a couple months as it becomes more real.

[Jankelope]

It would be nice if the Chamber of Commerce had the balls to just go ahead and come out against it with the simple message of "This will drain our public services, which the business community depends on to exist and operate at all"

Is it that hard to say? What exactly is the issue with talking about how the private sector requires a funded and functional public sector to exist?

Also, I know that a lot of the Chamber's are really only thinking about business interests (as that is their job) but they should absolutely be aware that money for public budgets has to come from somewhere, and don't be surprised if citizens respond to funding shortfalls with pushing increased corporate taxes/levies...maybe that's not the worst outcome.

[fsu813]

It would be nice if the Chamber of Commerce had the balls to just go ahead and come out against it with the simple message of "This will drain our public services, which the business community depends on to exist and operate at all"

Is it that hard to say? What exactly is the issue with talking about how the private sector requires a funded and functional public sector to exist?

Also, I know that a lot of the Chamber's are really only thinking about business interests (as that is their job) but they should absolutely be aware that money for public budgets has to come from somewhere, and don't be surprised if citizens respond to funding shortfalls with pushing increased corporate taxes/levies...maybe that's not the worst outcome.

Also, if Jacksonville (and other FL cities) are competing for HQ relocations with similar metros in our region, divesting in quality of life services and the capacity to have nice things is a gigantic disadvantage vs other states/cities that are able to provide.

[jaxoNOLE]

It would be nice if the Chamber of Commerce had the balls to just go ahead and come out against it with the simple message of "This will drain our public services, which the business community depends on to exist and operate at all"

Is it that hard to say? What exactly is the issue with talking about how the private sector requires a funded and functional public sector to exist?

Also, I know that a lot of the Chamber's are really only thinking about business interests (as that is their job) but they should absolutely be aware that money for public budgets has to come from somewhere, and don't be surprised if citizens respond to funding shortfalls with pushing increased corporate taxes/levies...maybe that's not the worst outcome.

Also, if Jacksonville (and other FL cities) are competing for HQ relocations with similar metros in our region, divesting in quality of life services and the capacity to have nice things is a gigantic disadvantage vs other states/cities that are able to provide.

It's a double-whammy, because there will be less available for cash incentives to overcome the QOL differential as well.