April 22: Would a Subscription To "Yachting" Help?

By Sylvia Gurinsky

In the alternate reality that is the 2009 Florida Legislature, the latest proposal from lawmakers representing their home planets (because they certainly don't represent Florida) is to limit the sales tax on yacht and private airplane purchases while putting a full sales tax on magazine subscriptions within the state.

The argument from lawmakers that the wealthy won't pay any tax on yachts and planes they don't buy in Florida loses traction with people who have been laid off or soon will be.

As for the magazines, legislators argue that if readers pay the full six percent at the newsstand, they should also pay for mail subscriptions. That's not going to cheer workers at print publications already struggling to hold on to subscribers and their futures.

In its alternate reality, the Legislature seems to have forgotten basic reality: People are struggling and need a break. Common sense tax reform is needed. As usual, Floridians aren't getting either relief or sense from their elected representatives.