Haridopoulos Convinces Dozens: Vote Against Amendment 5

State Senator Mike Haridopoulos (R-Indialantic) held what was supposed to be a public debate on the merits of the proposed property-tax-for-sales-tax swap today. But, as the Orlando Sentinel's blog recounts, it turned out to be a pretty one-sided debate, and a sparsely attended one at that.

In front of about a dozen attendees, Haridopolos repeatedly called Amendment 5 a “bait and switch” that would result in a net tax increase.

Anyone who's ever tried to hold a forum on tax issues knows the pain of nobody showing up. So, kudos to the Senator for trying. But if the poor attendance is disappointing, the lack of participation on the part of lawmakers supporting the swap is, well, very disappointing:

Haridopolis said he originally intended his series of 10 forums to be debates, but the amendment’s proponents have not attended any so far.

In a way, putting complicated tax matters on the ballot is a signal by lawmakers that they simply don't want an open and informed debate on tax issues. But everyone would be better off if the lawmakers who like the tax swap faced off publicly with those who don't.