Crist announces support for Amendment 5 property tax reform

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Aug. 5, 2008 – The property tax reform amendment advocated by FAR has a new backer – Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. Concerned about the Florida economy, Crist offered his first full endorsement yesterday, and says he will stump for passage.

“If this Amendment 5 were to pass in November, which I hope it does, people will look at that as a lot more than a tweak,” Crist says. “I think it could be a significant stimulant for Florida’s economy.”

Crist’s position puts him firmly on the side of Florida’s Realtors but at odds with a number of other groups, including schoolteachers, business groups and some fellow Republicans. But even opponents admit that Crist carries significant weight in Florida, and say that his support will go a long way to pass the Amendment 5 at the polls in November.

“I think the governor would be formidable in his campaign,” says Associated Industries of Florida President Barney Bishop, who opposes the property tax reform. “I just hate to see him lose, because I don’t think this amendment is going to pass.”

Other opponents are not deterred. “He’s one person, but statewide, we have 260,000 teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers,” says Pat Santeramo, president of the Broward Teachers Union.

However, proponents of the amendment see Crist’s support as a significant coup. “I don’t think it would be possible to overestimate the importance of the governor’s endorsement,” says former Senate President and Amendment 5 architect John McKay. “Charlie may be the best campaigner I’ve ever seen. I think the governor will sell this quite effectively.”

There is one caveat to Crist’s support, however: If John McCain picks him as a vice-presidential running mate, Crist won’t have much time to spend advocating Amendment 5. “Only time will tell,” Crist says. “I’m just trying to figure out the degree of help, the time I’ll have to do it. I hope to be very helpful.”