Senate President Ken Pruitt and House Speaker Marco Rubio
Jointly Call a Special Session to Reduce Property Taxes
Session to begin on June 12, 2007

Tallahassee - - Senate President Ken Pruitt (R-Port St. Lucie) and House Speaker Marco Rubio (R-Miami) jointly called a Special Session today that will begin on June 12, 2007. Both leaders expressed confidence that an agreement will be reached during the Special Session that will result in lower property taxes for Floridians.

“There is no doubt property taxes are too high and must be reduced,” said President Pruitt. “We are committed to doing everything we can to provide meaningful and responsible relief to those who are being crushed under the weight of soaring taxes.”

“The next property tax bill Floridians receive must be a bill they can afford,” said Speaker Rubio. “Our property tax system is hurting Florida’s families and destroying our small businesses. It must be reformed if we are going to protect and strengthen Florida’s economy for the future.”

Included with this release is the official proclamation for the 2007 Special Session. The Senate and House have agreed to hold two interim joint committee meetings in Tallahassee on Property Tax Relief and Reform.

The interim joint committee meeting schedule is as follows:

May 21 – Joint committee meeting to review and discuss options.

June 4 – Joint committee meeting to present proposed legislation.

June 12 – 22 -- Special Session

Members of the joint committee:

Senate: Senator Mike Haridopolos, Senator Daniel Webster, Senator Steve Geller, Senator Lisa Carlton, Senator Jeff Atwater, Senator Ted Deutch, Senator Ronda Storms;

House: Representative Dean Cannon, Representative Thad Altman, Representative Frank Attkisson, Representative Ellyn Bogdanoff, Representative Don Brown, Representative Joyce Cusack, Representative Anitere Flores, Representative Luis Garcia, Representative Dan Gelber, Representative Michael Grant, Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Representative Dave Murzin, Representative Michael Scionti, Representative Jack Seiler, Representative Will Weatherford.

“Taxpayers have been overcharged for far too long, and it is time for them to get a refund,” said Senate Finance and Tax Chairman Mike Haridopolos. “Government needs to go on a diet. Our comprehensive plan will require cuts to wasteful spending and will result in lower property taxes, both now and in the future.”

“We’re working towards a plan that focuses on the taxpayer, not the tax collector,” said House Economic Expansion and Infrastructure Chairman Dean Cannon. “It’s the taxpayers’ money, not governments’, and they deserve to keep more of it. We remain dedicated to giving Floridians a choice on how they will be taxed on their homes and properties.”

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