Ever felt like your head was swimming?
Sweeps is kind of like a college exams. You do nothing but think about the story for days and days. It becomes your life. And when it’s all done all you want to do is sleep and never ever… ever… consider the topic again.
Whereas during most general education college courses you have the luxury of forgetting everything you learned when the test is over, (i.e. I have used absolutely nothing that I learned in European Government or Statistics in my real life), that is not so much the case in the world of journalism. Because after every great report comes… the follow up report.
So, in step one, we’re working to build a great report on the importance of Florida’s Greenbelt Law. Whether you agree with the law or not, it takes a dramatic toll on your taxes… here’s why…
The law was enacted in 1976 by a state legislature that wanted to help small farmers and cut them a deal on their property taxes, so long as their land is being used for a “bona fide agricultural purpose.” There have been, in recent years, a growing number of questions as to who should receive that exemption. Some people I have talked to feel the agricultural classification is being used by big development companies to skirt their taxes. And it’s all totally legal.
But is it fair? I’m hoping you’ll tell me what you think. If you wanted to say you owned agricultural property that you use something like timber farming, could you get that less pricey classification? Even if you only have one pine tree on your lot? It’s my job to find out.
And what a task it is to find out… I’m talking to legislators, state agencies, county commissioners, property appraisers, farmers, and most importantly, you the taxpayer.
I have a lot of research I’m still trying to wrap my head around. So if you would like to offer some perspective please do! Please?
No really… please?
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About Me
I am a native of Chesapeake, Virginia. I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia in August, 2006. While there, I found time to be a cheerleader, a reporter for VCU Insight and the Recruitment Director for Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. I'm totally enjoying my life as a Panama City Beach resident and my job as a reporter for News13. Local politics just facinate me and I'd love to hear from you about anything.
Recent Entries:
- No place like Home
- Exciting Stories!!!
- Guitar Hero
- A week to envy
- Ever felt like your head was swimming?
- Columns
- Still Here :-/
- Just another Thursday
Other News13 Blogs:
- The Casual Historian - Larche Hardy
- Derby Girl - Enocha Van Lierop
- The Newby - Jessi Chapin
- Gainesville, Georgia's All American Girl - Tuquyen Mach
