TALLAHASSEE - If you drive a car, wet a fishing hook, get a divorce or buy a burial plot, some of Florida's leaders want to dip into your pocket by levying what they call a "user fee."

A tax by any other name would be as steep.

Seeking to plug a $6.1 billion shortfall, budget writers in the Legislature have packed a dozen or so spending bills with higher fees that would affect Floridians from all walks of life: motorists who renew licenses; anglers who fish along the coast; people who file for divorce, sue for injuries or visit a state park.

It would cost $20 to register a burial plot.

"It's a bad sign when our politicians start mixing death and taxes," said Regan Swann, 67, of Fort Lauderdale Is your Fort Lauderdale restaurant clean? "It just seems like they're trying too hard to get into our pockets. Soon they'll start taxing us for crossing the street."

Not yet, but plans now being discussed at the Capitol have kindled a semantic tug of war over the concept of "tax" vs. "user fee."


http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/legislature/sfl-more-fees-b040309sbapr03,0,6103095.story

Seems like just yesterday I was complaining about these damned cigarette taxes, now not only can I not smoke where I want, I have to pay more and supposedly I am killing myself and still yet have to pay to register to die. (sorry, early morning sarcasm, gonna get coffee)

I figured it was only a matter of time with all these forclosers..Since we have no State tax they will raise "Fees" on anything and everything... Funny my house is not worth %25 of what it was but my property taxes havnt dropped!!!

Hello State clerk.

I am going to die. so, I am here to register for that.....

clerk: when are you going to die?
me: idk.???

Clerk: Where re you going to die?

me: idk ???

Clerk: Ok...That will $30.00.....with a $15.00 dollar surcharge for not filling out the form completely ....

Hey Florida,
Why not put a toll booth at the park entrances. The homeless can pay to have somewhere to hang out during the day.

Here's to ya', my dear Ms. Franshade! It's coffee

don't forget the user fee for using my pen, for sitting on my chair, for placing your feet on my floor

it is the basic divide and conquer theory

only instead of conquer it is charge

with the advent of the mememememeememe attitude no one wants to stick together anymore

i don't fish what do i care

i don't smoke what do i care

until people start caring about one another enough to do something it will never change

the people need to take there govt back

Very wise for a Buckeye!!! Wait I was born a Buckeye...Many good things come from Ohio....How ya been my friend?

still sucking air

so i guess to complain would be futile

hope all is well with you

I'm heading the gun range as often as I can you with me

And to you,

I would say Im well but probably would get another fee!!! Na all is good...Working, paying taxes...Life goes on the sky isnt falling...

of course as long as i am not the target

check out bill maher thread

Probably safe as long as you don't invite D-ck Cheney.
And ya' don't let Ted Kennedy drive ya' home.

I carry a big gun and am not scared to use it

Missouri and Illinois require a fishing license to fish. It's been that way for a long time.

Do they also charge fees for registering burial plots?
Why is the government/state getting involved with burial plots? Should not the cementery or place of rest have their own registries?

JMO - Underhanded way to make money - but then again I smoke so it must be ok

I don't know anything about burial plots.

Be careful what you say, winx......someone will post a link to wikipedia on burial plots