AARP Fights Florida State Revenue Cap Amendment Government Spending
AARP Fights Florida State Revenue Cap Amendment - Government Spending
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— Receive access to exclusive information, benefits and discounts. The amendment would establish a formula based on and to set limits on the growth of state revenues. If revenue growth exceeded the cap, would be deposited into the state's "rainy day" fund. Jack McRay, advocacy manager, said the proposed revenue cap would result in serious cuts in spending on vital state programs. Restricting revenue growth would hamper the state's ability to restore funds for programs and services cut because of the recession. "It's not about good government; it's not about rightsizing government; it's about strangling government," McRay said. "It makes no more sense to put your car on cruise control and try to steer through the rush hour traffic on I-4 in Orlando than it does to put the state budget on an automatic formula." Legislature can cut taxes Amendment 3 is unnecessary, McRay said, because the legislature already has the power to whenever it wants. A Florida Senate staff analysis reported that taxes on intangibles, sales, beverages, corporations and pari-mutuel earnings have all been reduced since 1999.
Florida has had a revenue cap on the books since 1994, but it has never kicked in because revenue never exceeded the cap. A Senate staff analysis predicted the proposed amendment, over time, would be "more likely to constrain growth in state revenues" than the current law. "Over time, the proposed state revenue limitation is more likely to constrain growth in state revenues than the current limitation," according to a Senate staff analysis of Haridopolis' proposal. McRay disagrees with Amendment 3 supporters who say it would probably be 2019 or 2020 before the revenue cap would impose cuts in state spending. He said it is "likely to be much sooner and a lot more severe." Limiting state revenues would require cuts in aid to local government, spending on schools and a wide variety of health and social services, McRay said. Older Floridians should be especially wary of the impact that future revenue reductions would have on services such as Medicaid assistance to pay for nursing home care, and programs supporting Alzheimer's patients and their loved ones, he said. Public interest advocate Brad Ashwell of Tallahassee is coordinating a campaign to defeat Amendment 3. "It really doesn't lead to more responsible spending," Ashwell said. "It doesn't lead to better government. It just ties the hands of our legislature, and it leads to more cuts." McRay said, "Amendment 3 is a wolf in sheep's clothing. AARP Florida urges all of our members to vote against this dangerous proposal." John C. Van Gieson is a veteran news reporter and writer living in Tallahassee, Fla. Remember to go to the every day for tips on keeping healthy and sharp, and great deals. Taxes: Medicare: Voter ID: Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
AARP Florida Fights State Revenue Cap
Proposal could cut spending on vital state services and programs
A proposed state constitutional amendment that would limit the growth of is being called a "" by its supporters and a "wolf in sheep's clothing" by its opponents. See also: has joined forces with cities, counties and schools, as well as health, environmental and social service activists to defeat Amendment 3 on the . To take effect, it must be approved by 60 percent of the voters.State Issues
46 states have cut services to reduce their deficit.
Cost of living, climate, crime rates and more factor into Money-Rates.com’s rankings
50-plus voters in Missouri, Virginia, Florida, New Hampshire, Ohio and Nevada weigh in on the issues.
— Receive access to exclusive information, benefits and discounts. The amendment would establish a formula based on and to set limits on the growth of state revenues. If revenue growth exceeded the cap, would be deposited into the state's "rainy day" fund. Jack McRay, advocacy manager, said the proposed revenue cap would result in serious cuts in spending on vital state programs. Restricting revenue growth would hamper the state's ability to restore funds for programs and services cut because of the recession. "It's not about good government; it's not about rightsizing government; it's about strangling government," McRay said. "It makes no more sense to put your car on cruise control and try to steer through the rush hour traffic on I-4 in Orlando than it does to put the state budget on an automatic formula." Legislature can cut taxes Amendment 3 is unnecessary, McRay said, because the legislature already has the power to whenever it wants. A Florida Senate staff analysis reported that taxes on intangibles, sales, beverages, corporations and pari-mutuel earnings have all been reduced since 1999.
Tax-Aide Needs You
More than 3,000 helped prepare tax returns for 230,000 low- and moderate-income Floridians in 2011. Volunteers are needed again this year. You don't have to be an expert in accounting or finance. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, , email [email protected] or call toll-free 1-866-595-7678. Amendment 3 was a priority of outgoing R-Merritt Island, who got the legislature to put it on the ballot. Haridopolos said Smart Cap will assure Floridians that their taxes are limited and are being spent wisely on essential programs. "The Smart Cap amendment will create budget certainty for our state," Haridopolos said. "Citizens will be assured that their state budget will not grow faster than their ability to pay for it," he said. "Moreover, any additional funds the state has will go into a rainy day fund. Finally, if legislators feel they would like to spend more, it will require a super-majority vote of both houses of the legislature." Next:Florida has had a revenue cap on the books since 1994, but it has never kicked in because revenue never exceeded the cap. A Senate staff analysis predicted the proposed amendment, over time, would be "more likely to constrain growth in state revenues" than the current law. "Over time, the proposed state revenue limitation is more likely to constrain growth in state revenues than the current limitation," according to a Senate staff analysis of Haridopolis' proposal. McRay disagrees with Amendment 3 supporters who say it would probably be 2019 or 2020 before the revenue cap would impose cuts in state spending. He said it is "likely to be much sooner and a lot more severe." Limiting state revenues would require cuts in aid to local government, spending on schools and a wide variety of health and social services, McRay said. Older Floridians should be especially wary of the impact that future revenue reductions would have on services such as Medicaid assistance to pay for nursing home care, and programs supporting Alzheimer's patients and their loved ones, he said. Public interest advocate Brad Ashwell of Tallahassee is coordinating a campaign to defeat Amendment 3. "It really doesn't lead to more responsible spending," Ashwell said. "It doesn't lead to better government. It just ties the hands of our legislature, and it leads to more cuts." McRay said, "Amendment 3 is a wolf in sheep's clothing. AARP Florida urges all of our members to vote against this dangerous proposal." John C. Van Gieson is a veteran news reporter and writer living in Tallahassee, Fla. Remember to go to the every day for tips on keeping healthy and sharp, and great deals. Taxes: Medicare: Voter ID: Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures