Chamber of Commerce Doesn’t Represent “Green” Business

February 24, 2011 Leave a comment

The Chamber of Commerce would like us to take the risk of the severe impacts from Climate Change.  They often hide behind the “green” symbol while promoting unscientific thinking about the future of the planet.

The Chamber, described by 350.org founder Bill McKibben as the “power plant” of “money pollution” in Washington, DC, has led lobbying efforts to block action on climate change for decades.

Because of its pro-pollution, anti-science stance, the Chamber is threatening American prosperity — its supposed mission. Several companies, including Apple, Exelon, and Pacific Gas & Energy, have quit the lobbying group over its climate denial. In the Tom Dispatch, McKibben explains how 350.org plans to expose the split between real American businesses and the multinational polluters that fund the “U.S.” Chamber of Commerce, with the simple message, “The U.S. Chamber Doesn’t Speak For Me“:

via Climate Progress.

Filed under Business and Commerce, Coral Gables, Environment

Increased House Sales Not Really So Great For Local Governments

February 23, 2011 Leave a comment

Increases in home sales in South Florida should lead to a reduction in assessed property values and further reductions in city and county revenues at the current tax rates.

This may lead to increases in property taxes and fees next September just to hold the line on tax revenues.

When will the commissions of Coral Gables and the county get us off this roller coaster.

Filed under Coral Gables, Miami-Dade County

More on House Prices Double Dip

February 23, 2011 Leave a comment

There was not a bit of good news in the S&P/Case-Shiller data about the housing market for the last quarter of 2010. The National Index was down 4.1% from the same period last year. Many markets reached lows which matched home prices in 2000. The trouble in cities which include Las Vegas, Detroit, and Cleveland was  particularly bad. But, almost no city has escaped the powerful down draft.

via In Housing Trouble, The Seeds For Recovery – 24/7 Wall St..

Filed under Coral Gables

House Prices Double Dip Decline in Coral Gables

February 22, 2011 Leave a comment

The recent S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices show a pronounced double dip in house prices throughout the country.  Coral Gables will face another year of declining property values.  The pressure to increase taxes again will be enormous.

Data through December 2010, released today by Standard & Poor’s for its S&P/Case-Shiller1 Home Price Indices, the leading measure of U.S. home prices, show that the U.S. National Home Price Index declined by 3.9% during the fourth quarter of 2010. The National Index is down 4.1% versus the fourth quarter of 2009, which is the lowest annual growth rate since the third quarter of 2009, when prices were falling at an 8.6% annual rate. As of December 2010, 18 of the 20 MSAs covered by S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices and both monthly composites were down compared to December 2009. (Source:  S&P Press Release, Feb. 22)

Question For Candidates

Since house prices continue a double dip decline in Miami, do you favor property tax increases for Coral Gables in light of  declining property values for the city?

Filed under Coral Gables, Housing, Taxes and Fees

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