When we look at the newly constructed homes, we ask why the taxes on those homes are $15,000 to $20,000. It's because there is no tax revenue to offset the high taxes, and this plan is a start. We have to start somewhere.

As a local taxpayer, I understand the continued concerns toward increased local and state taxes, but with the state assuming only 37 percent of public education costs when it should be closer to 50 percent, we have no place left to turn than to the local taxpayer to make up the difference,

It's a way to keep taxes down and a way to make sure there won't be new taxes. If it passes, what it would really do is make the legislature second banana in the budget process.

Every year, the number of lots going up for sale on taxes would fill the Citrus County Chronicle. It wasn't that long ago you could buy those lots at a tax sale for $500. Now I understand most are going for $15,000 to $20,000.

What with the referendum were they truthful about? The taxes people had to pay? No. The finances? No. How much debt we had? No. How much did they get right?

No school board member in this state likes raising taxes, but if we're not properly funded by the state or the federal government, and the costs are increasing, we don't have a choice.