House Speaker Bound For Hernando

Hernando Today

BROOKSVILLE - Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio is set for a visit next week to rally residents around a new tax amendment proposal.

Rubio has set aside time on Thursday, Dec. 20 around 7 p.m., an assistant who does scheduling for Rubio's political events confirmed late Tuesday.

Linda Hayward, founder of the Hernando County Taxpayers Alliance, invited the Republican legislator from Miami to speak on why he's supporting a constitutional amendment that would cap property taxes at 1.35 percent of taxable value.

As of Tuesday, however, Hayward was still seeking a venue in the county that can accommodate as many as 300 people and that can also provide chairs.

"We're a poor grassroots group," Hayward said with a chuckle. "I'll bring the water."

Hayward's group is one of several throughout the state that are dissatisfied with the results of the Legislature's recent special session aimed at property tax reform and that are supporting the so-called "1.35 percent amendment."

The groups are trying to secure the 611,000 signatures required to get the amendment on the Nov. 8 ballot. Rubio also has said the legislature didn't go far enough and has taken the groups up on offers to visit, according to Rubio's assistant, who works for a private consulting firm and who asked not to be named.

For more information or to offer a venue for Rubio's visit, call Hayward at 797-9653 or visit www.hernandocountytaxpayersalliance.com.