No, Amendment One does NOT RAISE TAXES. Here is how it works: some folks think Amendment 1 will raise taxes. The fact is that it sets aside a portion of an existing source of funding – documentary stamps on real estate transactions – not taxes and a good income source to offset development with conservation. Documentary stamp revenues have funded conservation programs for decades. This is only continuing what has been a very successful conservation program in the past that was eliminated in recent years. This method has been used by other states around the nation. If Amendment 1 does not pass our waterways will continue to be filled with slime/algae producing pollution, our forests will get clear cut to make way for new mini-malls and housing developments and our beaches will become packed with more condos – all without conservation to balance the growth. Not only do we risk extinction rates in our rich biodiversity and future generations experiencing nature but also loosing tourist interest. Without all those tax dollars that they pay, we will have to make up the difference – or else our schools will suffer, our affordable housing will suffer and our seniors will suffer. I am concerned about the future of Florida. Over the past several years, I’ve seen a significant decline in the quality and quantity of water coming out of our springs. I’ve seen photos of dead manatees and dolphins floating in the Indian River Lagoon. I’ve seen photos of horribly polluted water being released into the St Lucie estuary and the Caloosahatchee River. More disturbingly, I’ve witnessed the inability of the Florida Legislature to discipline themselves to create a reliable way to fund the restoration of our treasured waterways. That is why I am voting “YES” on Amendment 1. If our legislators are really committed to cleaning up the problems they have caused through their own negligence (following state statutes on the levels of pollution allowed in rivers and springs, they would wholeheartedly endorse Amendment 1. Please pass my message along to your friends, family and colleagues who have questions about Amendment 1. (Thank you Karina Veaudry.)
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 09:39:30 +0000
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