Florida Association of Realtors and Gov. Crist launch group supporting property tax amendment Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Gov. Charlie Crist, Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) President Nancy Riley joined forces with other supporters Monday to launch a bi-partisan group, “Yes on 1 – Save our Homes NOW,” urging Floridians to vote for the largest tax cut in the state’s history on Jan. 29, 2008.

"Floridians have been suffering long enough, and the people of this great state now have the opportunity to lower their taxes by voting 'Yes on 1' on Jan. 29," said Gov. Crist.

FAR President Riley added, "Passage of this amendment is critical to the future of Florida. It will provide first-time homebuyers a large tax exemption. It will begin to equalize property taxes among neighbors, and it will allow the people who are the foundation of our neighborhoods - teachers, nurses, police officers and emergency first responders – to afford to live in the communities they serve."

The announcement came during a media conference Monday afternoon at the home of Veronica Greco, a Tampa resident who supports Amendment 1 and understands how important passage of the amendment is to Florida residents who need relief from high property taxes. Greco wants to sell her home of 15 years and downsize to a condo, but feels trapped due to the "lock-in" effects of the state's Save Our Homes amendment.

"This is an opportunity for homebuyers, future homebuyers and those like Mrs. Greco, who has this home for sale, but she's locked in because she can't find a buyer who can afford the taxes on this home," said State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey. Passage of the constitutional amendment will give people the opportunity to lower their taxes, he said.