While the article is more about property tax vs sales tax, seems that Mr. Hogan wants to be the next Mayor.
I had not heard that for sure. I must have missed the memo....
From http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/index.php
Hogan stands behind revenue cap bill
03/21/2008
by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Mike Hogan was not concerned Thursday about his 2011 bid for mayor and he wasn’t intimidated by a table full of some of Jacksonville’s most influential civic and private leaders that comprise the chairs of the various Jacksonville Journey committees.
The current Tax Collector talked for nearly 20 minutes about his proposal to limit growth by capping property taxes and implementing a sales tax to make up for the lost revenue. Then the grilling began. For over an hour, each committee chair in attendance questioned the logic behind the bill and wondered why Hogan didn’t back an amendment that would allow an exemption for Jacksonville because of its consolidated government.
After the meeting and after the handshakes, Hogan admitted he pondered turning down the invitation to speak. Hogan also said nothing he heard from anyone â€" a group that included former Mayor Ed Austin, former Sheriff Nat Glover, former State Sen Betty Holzendorf, former local Republican Party Chair Mike Hightower and several others â€" will convince him to change his mind.
“I originally told them I would not come,†said Hogan, who is pushing the bill through a statewide tax commission, of which he’s the only representative from Northeast Florida. “I told them if they were going to try to change my opinion about introducing the bill, and bring me here only to spank me, there was no need for me to come. They told me to be parochial. I am not going to do that to the taxpayers of the state.â€
Hogan, who admits he intends to run for mayor in 2011, said he’s heard the proposed bill may or may not affect his candidacy.
“Some have called me intimating that it is a bad decision if I am serious about running. Some have called me the other way,†said Hogan. “If they know me, they know it doesn’t matter. I’m going to vote my conviction.â€
According to Hogan, the genesis of the bill is to help the entire state by limiting growth. His bill is based on the Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TBOR), which has been adopted in Colorado. That legislation limits the growth of government through a relatively simple formula: the Consumer Price Index plus the growth rate.
“Government revenue plus spending can’t grow faster than that,†said Hogan, adding exceptions can be made with a two-thirds vote of local elected bodies.
Hogan’s bill deviates some from TBOR by including a 1 percent “fudge factor.†However, the premise is still the same.
“The goal is to tether the growth of government to the ability of the taxpayers to pay for it,†he said. “We call it the Taxpayer Protection Act.â€
Hogan’s commission consists of 25 members from across the state. In order to get the bill to first the House of Representatives, then the State Senate, it must get the required minimum 17 votes from his taxing commission.
“I think I have more than that,†he said.
Hogan contends there’s more than enough wiggle room for growth regardless whether a cap exists or not.
“Our (Florida’s) best years were in 2005 and 2006 and didn’t tickle it (the growth cap). It’s too generous,†he said.
Hogan’s detractors are local, most of whom contend Jacksonville’s consolidated form of government has created a system that self-governs better than anywhere else in the state. Thursday, Hogan was repeatedly asked to exempt Jacksonville from his legislation.
Former Jacksonville Jaguar Tony Boselli suggested the bill was another method for Tallahassee to slowly erode the control local governments have and suggested private/public partnerships would be more beneficial than a bill that caps property taxes and adds a sales tax.
“That’s an age-old fight,†said Hogan, who has served on City Council and the State Legislature.
“To raise the sales tax will put a much greater burden on business owners,†said Boselli.
Hogan says the difference between what will be saved on property taxes and the potential sales tax is huge.
“I’d have to spend a whole lot on taxable items to spend as much as I’d save on property taxes,†he said.
Glover said Jacksonville being the “murder capital of the state†is reason enough to leave property taxes alone. He called that distinction “a big stick you can use. It’s almost criminal if you don’t.â€
Linda Lanier, executive director of the Jacksonville Children’s Commission, implored Hogan to look into exempting her organization. Because the JCC is a dependent service that relies on funding from the City, Lanier hopes it can be considered a “special district†â€" something that would make it exempt from the legislation. According to Lanier, from birth to age 18 children only spend 10 percent of their time in school. The Children’s Commission, she says, provides valuable programs that take up a good portion of the other 90 percent. Hogan assured Lanier he would look into who is exempt and who isn’t.
We have learned via the lies of Peyton (yes, he lied) - but I proceed with caution here to say that I can't think of a better man right now for the position of Mayor than Hogan. We'll have to continue watching him, but forget the policy (I like it - he is right - too much DOCUMENTED waste - who knows what is not yet found out) ... yeah, forget the policy - i love the fact that he stands up to the duval republican machine and says f you basically. If he remains true to his word and takes smart stances like this, he doesn't need them to get elected.
btw...Hogan was profiled briefly about a year ago on this site in the Beware the 26 article...
"Mike Hogan - Hogan is currently the elected Tax Collector of Duval County. After Mike Weinstein's announcement of his intentions to run for State Representative, it is thought in many circles that Hogan has the inside track to win the office of mayor in 2011. Hogan is a conservative Republican who served one term on the City Council. Little else is known about Hogan at this time, so it remains to be seen whether he will HELP or HURT Jacksonville. "
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/385/121/
I'm a bit confused on this issue. How can capping property taxes and instituting a sales tax hurt a consolidated city government? Capping property taxes will allow property owners to invest more in their property, and the sales tax will help draw in more revenue because as more investment occurs, more people will buy more things.
Quote from: stephendare on March 22, 2008, 06:23:49 PM
Mike was a decent guy when he was on council.
oh wow! you were around and were involved in the local politics scene then as well? how long ago was that? what kind of a guy was he - i mean, what do you mean as "decent"?
Hulk Hogan? ???
If the Hogan Revenue Caps are implemented, how do you expect to fund all of the things this site has been (rightly so) promoting: commuter rail, lighting up downtown, maintaining the parks better, a streetcar system, better policing - especially of downtown, and so on? All of these things cost money.
Quote from: Charles Hunter on April 18, 2008, 11:19:11 PM
If the Hogan Revenue Caps are implemented, how do you expect to fund all of the things this site has been (rightly so) promoting: commuter rail, lighting up downtown, maintaining the parks better, a streetcar system, better policing - especially of downtown, and so on? All of these things cost money.
Charles, I think I know that you are not a solid 100% believer that your tax dollars are not currently being wasted, right? I would guess to the tune of 10% waste. That would be a nice start. Btw, don't worry about the "tax me please" crowd...Littlepage will have them falling in line come mayor-pickin' time. It IS funny how so many of those that pay so little in taxes love to see the few of those who pay so much - pay more.
Quote from: stephendare on April 18, 2008, 11:25:34 PM
If you are asking me, Charles, Mike Hogan would NOT be my choice for mayor, ive already promised my heart to someone else.
Who else has made public that they're running to the degree Mike Hogan has? Stephen, who in the race has your heart? I feel like I've been asleep at the switch. What's new in this race?
Well, yeah, I know. But who has your heart? You said it wasn't Mike Hogan.
To whom could SD have promised his heart? Hmmmm....
There's a former City Council member that he was quite close to that I have heard still harbors a phantasma of herself as Mayor?
She's made some rather curious moves lately... This individual founded a "Consulting" firm with Shirley Dasher, but the company's latest corporate filings seem to indicate that she's no longer an officer of the company. (Of course, the company--quite curiously--doesn't list a President: http://www.sunbiz.org/pdf/38100010.pdf)
One has to wonder if she's in... Of course, I'm not even sure they are still close...
Does anyone have a list of the people who have announced there canidacy?
Has anyone announced their candidacy? If so, they didn't announce it very loudly.
Quote from: stephendare on April 20, 2008, 03:12:14 PM
no one has.
But there are tons of people with intentions.
An open invitation to all people on this site: Notwithstanding who will actually run for mayor, what platforms are you most interested in for the mayor of Jacksonville. Obviously there are plenty of options: Crime/murder rate, The St. John's River, downtown development, etc. What is most important to the readers here and how can any of us be sure whomever claims these platforms isn't just puffing?
Quote from: RainorShine on April 19, 2008, 06:33:59 PM
To whom could SD have promised his heart? Hmmmm....
There's a former City Council member that he was quite close to that I have heard still harbors a phantasma of herself as Mayor?
She's made some rather curious moves lately... This individual founded a "Consulting" firm with Shirley Dasher, but the company's latest corporate filings seem to indicate that she's no longer an officer of the company. (Of course, the company--quite curiously--doesn't list a President: http://www.sunbiz.org/pdf/38100010.pdf)
One has to wonder if she's in... Of course, I'm not even sure they are still close...
No phantasma of herself as Mayor here. I am not interested in any more years of public service. 8 years was enough of a sacrifice for me and my family. I am happily in the private sector and am the owner of a consulting business. I don't know that i need the title of President when Principal works just fine. Not sure what you find "curious about my moves" since leaving the public sector. I have spent the time becoming Jacksonville Small and Emerging Business certified, Minority Owned Business Certified and JTA certified. I have several clients that I enjoy working for and am happily in the private sector.
Hopefully this will put an end to this folly of speculation. There are plenty out there that will be running for an open seat. I will not be one of them.
Quote from: Charles Hunter on April 18, 2008, 11:19:11 PM
If the Hogan Revenue Caps are implemented, how do you expect to fund all of the things this site has been (rightly so) promoting: commuter rail, lighting up downtown, maintaining the parks better, a streetcar system, better policing - especially of downtown, and so on? All of these things cost money.
I don't favor raising taxes. The amount being taken up already causes problems with most resident's ability to maintain a certain standard of living. I believe the amount we already take in is plenty if it were managed better and the local government were streamlined even more than it currently is. I also believe, many of the items listed on the wish list can be financed through a series of creative solutions that would not require raising taxes, such as public/private partnerships.
Quote from: stephendare on April 20, 2008, 04:56:56 PM
Great Question, Billbo.
for myself:
1. Growth Management. Iron handed growth management to create recentralized development and ruthlessly cut off sprawl. MUCH better management of our resources.
2. Making basic government functions like Mass Transit and Public Health work.
No more of these freaking sprawl making highways, instead create a mass transit system that works and that all people in Jacksonville would be proud and happy to use. Environmental clean up and public health needs to be given a priority.
3. Development of the Port. We have unique opportunities for growth that are being actively pissed away. It will take us ten years of projected growth until our port reaches the same tonnage as Savannah for the love of Pete. The channel needs to be deepened, and access to ships has to be made a priority. There are billions of dollars that would go into the economy if we were only smart enough to do it.
4. Economic Development. Bringing better jobs and better industries to Jax. Making sure they are greeen, sustainable and higher income. Attracting and keeping more educational opportunities and graduees here. Reaching out to globalize our economy and in the process globalize our outlook.
5. Long Term planning, including environmental concerns like climate change, its effect on our shorelines, no more low lying development of any kind, and opening the doors of the mayors office to futurist ideas and thoughts.
6. Quality of life. Improving the cultural and recreational options for the whole city, based out of a centralized, easy to access via public transit urban core. Free internet access for all citizens.
7. Conversion of our cities energy policy to one that either strongly encourages solar based home power, or makes the installation of solar systems mandatory on all dwellings and public buildings.
8. Racial and Cultural cooperation and progress. Economic development and participation in all areas of our municipal life, from Law enforcement and education to recreational opportunities.
And those are the things that I would like to see on a mayoral platform.
Great list Stephen, and thanks for responding as in depth as you have. A question I have, is how do you cut off sprawl? Obviously, it's more attractive for developers to easily construct cookie cutter retail outlets like they have been doing all over Jacksonville. Is there a way, legally, to give some of these developers some incentive to further help the urban core? I'm sure we all know about LaVilla's failings, and most everyone would agree that they are sick of the city council throw more money away for failing projects into downtown. I would add to your list a need for the St. Johns to be a VERY main priority for any mayoral candidate. It would be nice if people could enjoy the river and swim in it without fear of contracting the vibrio virus. Further, Jacksonville must prevent Seminole county from taking water from us. I fully agree with your point of needing to get more entertainment throughout the city, and of course having it centralized. I feel as though san marco, downtown and avondale are on the cusp of being a very good urban core, but there is obviously a lot missing. I would defintely be all about extending operational hours of bars, although there are plenty of good arguments for keeping them the way they are. Last, crime prevention needs to be a main priority. We should not lead the state in murders ever. The mayor, the sherriff and the new state attorney (whoever that is-hopefully Plotkin) need to really work together to make this city safer. Just my .02
Quote from: Suzanne Jenkins on April 20, 2008, 09:55:18 PM
No phantasma of herself as Mayor here. I am not interested in any more years of public service.
Yeah, I hear that Grand Jury testimony was a b.
Folio is letting my choice for Mayor out of the bag today.
We've been all about a "draft Glorious" movement since last year. Looks like it's gaining some traction!
I won't just cross party lines to support Johnson, who has always had my heart, but I'll burn the party lines to the ground!
Not as much an announcement as talking openly about the possibility. There's a fair amount of exploration that needs to be done. But she gets it on so many issues that are important. And she's so open to new ideas and new ways of doing things. The exploratory phase is going to be lots of fun! And great for the City!
She's always been a Republican and has done her part for the local party -- and more importantly -- for the people. Her appeal is broad throughout the socioeconomic strata of Jacksonville. It could be very interesting. GOP power-brokers might pause... but that's not a bad thing. She breaks the mold in many ways.
No idea about her official platform yet. I know she's been instrumental in getting Ennis, Steve, Lunican, and Bob connected with people who can do something about their transit ideas. And she's very much opposed to BRT. Not a bad place to start.
If she runs, and I hope she does, I guess these will be things that we'll learn in the months (and, wow, years) to come.
I think my skills are better suited to getting other people elected. I'm not running in 2011. (And a sigh of relief was heard throughout the land...)
Thanks. We have a lot of outstanding people who I hope will run for Council this next go-around. People like Tony Allegretti -- could you imagine him representing District 7? That would be awesome.
I haven't seen the Folio yet. She told me that it was a tongue-in-cheek photo. And it's a shirt she was given when she was made an honorary member of the Sons of the Confederacy, or some such. It comes with an excellent story that she should tell you sometime! I've been waiting for Folio to get delivered to Avondale all day...!
I found a small shot of the cover on their site.
This is gonna be a hoot!
I'm going out again in search of a Folio. I really wish they'd take their content online!!
Quote from: Jimmy on April 22, 2008, 12:14:48 PM
Folio is letting my choice for Mayor out of the bag today.
We've been all about a "draft Glorious" movement since last year. Looks like it's gaining some traction!
I won't just cross party lines to support Johnson, who has always had my heart, but I'll burn the party lines to the ground!
Looks like you picked the wrong day to quit smoking crack!!!
I was finally able to track down a stocked newstand in Riverside. Guess it takes a while to make it out to Avondale! I was beginning to think the Folio had acquired a cash value!
Anyway -- it's a wonderful article. The only people who could think anything negative about it are Tom Slade, Pat Locket-Felder, and Falconetti, all of whom were portrayed in a less-than-flattering light. Bob Mann, Diane Melendez, JB Coxwell, Paul McCormick, Glorious Johnson, and Jacksonville itself should be glowing. They were all mentioned in nice terms in the piece. This newish reporter -- Gwynedd -- does a great job.
Oh yeah! It's in there! Well worth the read!
Someone should bring one along. It's nice to open Folio and read a positive story...
LOL! See! 8)
Is there a website that has some info on what Glorious Johnson has done while on the city council?
www.soglorious.com
The Folio article gives some snippets. And a search of Jacksonville.com over the past few years will reveal a lot of information.
What's funny is this: she is often snubbed and fails to get the credit she deserves. For example, she's the lead person on the JALA foreclosure bill. But another councilman gets the credit. She doesn't mind -- all she wants is for the bills to make it through and the people to get the help. All of this goes back to her struggle with the GOP leadership in 2003. They'd all written checks to her Democratic opponent.
She's one of only two councilmembers who voted against the recent tax hikes. She's for historic preservation and reuse if you look at her stances on the Brewster Hospital and Firehouse No. 5. I think her record is pretty interesting, but you do have to search for it at this point.
And I have no idea what driven1 is pushing. That website has nothing to do with Councilwoman Johnson. ;)
Quote from: Driven1 on April 22, 2008, 04:17:34 PM
www.soglorious.com
I have to admit, that was pretty funny. At least it wasnt some porno site.
Quote from: Jimmy on April 22, 2008, 04:24:17 PM
The Folio article gives some snippets. And a search of Jacksonville.com over the past few years will reveal a lot of information.
What's funny is this: she is often snubbed and fails to get the credit she deserves. For example, she's the lead person on the JALA foreclosure bill. But another councilman gets the credit. She doesn't mind -- all she wants is for the bills to make it through and the people to get the help. All of this goes back to her struggle with the GOP leadership in 2003. They'd all written checks to her Democratic opponent.
She's one of only two councilmembers who voted against the recent tax hikes. She's for historic preservation and reuse if you look at her stances on the Brewster Hospital and Firehouse No. 5. I think her record is pretty interesting, but you do have to search for it at this point.
And I have no idea what driven1 is pushing. That website has nothing to do with Councilwoman Johnson. ;)
Yeah, I found a few articles from the past. It's nice to see a politician who's top goal isn't trying to make a name for him or herself, but just wanting to see to society they are in grow, progress and become better as a whole.
Quote from: SLAPHAPPY on April 22, 2008, 03:19:34 PM
Looks like you picked the wrong day to quit smoking crack!!!
And I'm guess you are still going strong...guess that Grand Jury really got to ya.
Looked like a random crank to me. But what do I know.
You got that right!
Quote from: Charleston native on April 18, 2008, 11:20:52 AM
I'm a bit confused on this issue. How can capping property taxes and instituting a sales tax hurt a consolidated city government? Capping property taxes will allow property owners to invest more in their property, and the sales tax will help draw in more revenue because as more investment occurs, more people will buy more things.
Ummm...can somebody answer my question, please?
Quote from: Charleston native on April 23, 2008, 04:49:08 PM
Quote from: Charleston native on April 18, 2008, 11:20:52 AM
I'm a bit confused on this issue. How can capping property taxes and instituting a sales tax hurt a consolidated city government? Capping property taxes will allow property owners to invest more in their property, and the sales tax will help draw in more revenue because as more investment occurs, more people will buy more things.
Ummm...can somebody answer my question, please?
Well, everything is good in doses. For example, what if we capped property taxes to $500 per home. It would be great for the individual, but who would pay the police.
One of the things that I don't understand is capping revenues without a plan to handle expenditures. Shouldn't it be the other way around?
Steve, I would assume that if basic revenue is going to be capped, city leaders have to devise a better plan with the city's financial management, but we all know how well government in general does with that. ::) However, instituting the sales tax should offset any losses from the cap. Again, it also depends on how the city manages that money. It can be either a good or bad idea, because it depends on the city's willingness to not take the revenue from the sales tax and use it for other frivolous projects.
Frugality is a rare trait exhibited by people in this country, Stephen, for certain. You and I would take whatever money we saved and use it to enhance our property, but many other people would indeed spend it on stuff. But that's what makes the sales tax such an effective tool...it takes the financial burden off of the property tax statement and acquires revenue in a less threatening venue: whatever people purchase.
Quote from: stephendare on April 23, 2008, 06:31:21 PM
Quote from: Charleston native on April 23, 2008, 04:49:08 PM
Quote from: Charleston native on April 18, 2008, 11:20:52 AM
I'm a bit confused on this issue. How can capping property taxes and instituting a sales tax hurt a consolidated city government? Capping property taxes will allow property owners to invest more in their property, and the sales tax will help draw in more revenue because as more investment occurs, more people will buy more things.
Ummm...can somebody answer my question, please?
Well I think its a great argument if it were based on actual behavior.
Normally whenever a homeowner is going to do property improvements, they take out a loan. Only seriously frugal people like myself and the seriously anti debt wing of some fundamentalist churches do otherwise.
Personally I don't think there are enough numbers to claim that people pass on imaginary tax savings in to property improvements.
Second, if they are all being americans and spending on 'stuff' rather than their property, there isnt much of an argument that the improved properties will lead to investment which will lead to....
Your response is too reality based.
Could you please reconsider your answer based on political dogma instead?