Broward County: Straw vote urged on property tax issue

Broward County: Straw vote urged on property tax issue: "Broward County: Straw vote urged on property tax issue
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Aug. 10, 2006 -- It's a question with a predictable answer for homeowners eager to move: Are you afraid that buying a new home would boost your property tax bill?

Broward voters may be able to weigh in with their responses this fall -- but their vote would only be a straw poll of their opinions, not a binding referendum.

Broward County Commissioner Jim Scott wants to ask voters whether they support the concept of 'portability' in property taxes. The idea is to allow homeowners to take the taxable value of their old home and transfer it to their new home, even though the new home might cost more.

'People are really prisoners in their homes, and property taxes are too high. This is going to help,' said Scott, who will ask commissioners next week to put the straw ballot question to Broward voters this fall."