|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The International Union of Police Associations (I.U.P.A.) Local 6020 represents approximately 1200 members who are employed as Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) Deputies and Sergeants at the Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BSO). The I.U.P.A. Local 6020 partnered with Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar and Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser Pedro Garcia in support of House Bill 101 which is sponsored by State Representative Marie Woodson and Senate Bill 184 which is sponsored by State Senator Tina Polsky. Currently, F.S. 196.081 provides a full ad valorem property tax exemption to surviving spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty who are employed by the state or its political subdivisions but does not include federal law enforcement officers. This legislation expands the definition of “first responder” for the purpose of receiving this property tax exemption to include federal law enforcement officers.
This legislation will also expand the availability of the full ad valorem property tax exemption for first responders who are totally and permanently disabled in the line of duty to include federal law enforcement officers.
Every day, hundreds of thousands of law enforcement officers around the country leave their families to protect and serve their respective communities. Every law enforcement officer hopes to return to their family upon the completion of each shift. Working as a law enforcement officer comes with great risks. Unfortunately, some of our law enforcement officers sacrifice their life in the line of duty or become disabled while protecting their community.
Family members of law enforcement officers are reliant on them for mental support, emotional support, financial support, and companionship. The tragedy of a law enforcement officer being killed in the line of duty or becoming disabled leaves the family with many scars which can ultimately never be healed.
Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP) keeps track of and honors law enforcement officers throughout the country who have died in the line of duty. According to the statistics kept by the ODMP, 10 law enforcement officers who were employed by the federal government were killed in the line of duty in 2022. Of those 10, one died in the line of duty in Florida in 2022.
The Revenue Estimating Conference’s analysis of the bill has concluded this legislation will have a “negative insignificant fiscal impact” while providing meaningful financial relief for the families affected by the tragic death or disability of their loved one.
The I.U.P.A. Local 6020 appreciates the support of Senator Polsky, Representative Woodson, Property Appraiser Kiar, and Property Appraiser Garcia for the continued support of Florida’s first responders.
For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area. Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts about the community, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered.
