Friday night, Cape Canaveral, Florida- A rocket launched successfully that carries the Kepler Telescope. This telescope will be trying to find other planets similar to Earth with bodies of water and potentially capable of sustaining life. This mission is to take place over the next 3 1/2 years. For more information about this visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html

In researching one of the proposed new amendments we will be voting on in the November election in Florida, I felt you might miss this one and it sounds like it could have quite an impact for boaters, marinas, waterway access, fishermen and the fishing industry-  all very important to Florida and most Floridians.

Apparently, currently the taxation of waterfront property is based on the most expensive comps and usage in the area including condos for example and new structures, and waterfront property (even if it is a mom and pop establishment or dry storage racks for boats (drystacks) or a marine repair facility), is not based on how the property is actually and currently used (which is reasonable and also how most other properties are assessed). The higher taxes are hurting these businesses. This amendment would change how they are assessed to a more reasonable one based on their current usage, and so in effect, it would also help those businesses by lowering their taxes. This will help protect these waterfront based businesses that so many Floridians need and appreciate.

Apparently this amendment needs at least 60% yes to pass. So if you agree with the above and want to do your part in helping this amendment to pass, you would want to vote Yes on Constitutional Amendment No. 6 Assessment of Working Waterfront Property Based Upon Current Use

 Liz

FOLLOW-UP to this story/Voting Results: This amendment passed!