Amendment One

The proposed property tax amendment that will appear on the ballot Jan. 29 is a bad deal for Florida.
It provides minimal tax relief while putting our public schools and our public safety at risk. The average tax savings for individual home owners is relatively small, but the combined loss in revenue to local governments--and particularly to school districts--would be devastating.
Experts project that the amendment could cost public schools$204 million next year and $2.76 billion over the next five years.
Click here to let your state legislators know you will oppose the property tax amendment:http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/811owPs1IPlb/

And click here to tell others to oppose the amendment:http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/8d1owPs1IPl6/

For Florida's public schools, community colleges and state universities, these cuts could not come at a worse time. Earlier this year, the Legislature cut the state's education budget by$500 million. The most recent estimates show state revenues declining even further.
In all, public schools, community colleges and state universities are facing reductions that could exceed $1.7billion in less than 12 months--and that doesn't include the anticipated effects of the proposed tax amendment.
These combined budget cuts would have a devastating impact on school districts, classrooms and education employees--programs would be cut, school services curtailed and some layoffs would occur.
As Florida Times-Union columnist Ron Littlepage wrote about the amendment:
"If you thought the cuts in services and programs during the last budget process, brought on by previous action by the Legislature and [Gov. Charlie] Crist, were bad, it's going toget even uglier. Our parks system will stagnate. Needed infrastructure improvements won't happen. Social services will suffer. Our schools won't be adequately funded. Police and fireprotection will be reduced. Crist doesn't get that. Either that or he doesn't care."
The property tax amendment will cost too much in return for too little.
Voters should reject this proposal and insist on real tax reform that benefits all Floridians.

Click here to show your opposition to the proposed property tax amendment:http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/811owPs1IPlb/