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Amendment One Battle Plan for Special Session

May 27th, 2015 by Mike Vasilinda

Three out of our Florida voters said yes to spending an existing real estate tax on purchasing environmentally sensitive land, but then state makers tried an end run, using the money for existing operations. Now, as Mike Vasilinda tells us, and upset environmental community plans to start pushing back.

Here’s why environmentalists are upset….they recommend 155 million for land buys …the Governor one hundred million…but House and Senate budgets had just 8 and and 15 million. Adding fuel to the fire….a third of the money voters approved is still destined to fund existing operations of  the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Amendment 1 Organizer Will Abberger says lawmakers aren’t keeping faith with voters.

“When Florida voters voted yes to fund the Land Acquisition Trust Fund they were voting they were voting for funding to acquire Florida’s threatened wildlife habitat, so funding agency operations that were previously funded out of general revenue seems a little bit inconsistent with that.”

During a conference call, Mary Barley, the principal behind the Everglades Trust promised a full court press to turn voters wishes into reality,

“We will continue to invest and keep you posted, because the cost of inaction could be catastrophic.”

Audubon Florida President Eric Draper acknowledges that dramatically changing funding during a special session is a heavy lift. “Voters should be angry by there fact legislators are not spending the money the way that Amendment one was supposed to be spent” says Draper.

One potential compromise making the rounds is going to a hundred million dollars for land purchases. That’s the Governor’s position. In exchange, he gets the tax cuts he wants.

At a Tuesday news conference, Senate President Andy gardiner  said the tax cuts were still on the table. “As far as I’m concerned, we’re very open to all if it” said Gardiner.

And what is becoming clearer is that the budget,  and money for health care and the environment are all intertwined.

A series of rallies are set for this Saturday to bring attention to the lack of funding. In our area (see below). After the rallies, environmentalists plan a direct mail campaign and robo calls targeting key lawmakers who are following through with funding for land and conservation.

Below is a list of the rallies on Saturday

Alachua

When: Saturday, May 30, 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Where: 15935 NW US Hwy 441, Alachua, FL 32615

(Parking at Lowes, Sonny’s BBQ, or other nearby lots. This is the stretch of 441 that everyone uses to get to Spring Country!)

Bradenton

When: Saturday, May 30, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Where: Manatee County Courthouse, 1115 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205

 

Fort Myers

When: Saturday, May 30, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Where: Lee County Alliance of the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Ft. Myers, FL 33919

Jacksonville

When: Saturday, May 30, 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Where: Walter Jones Historical Park, 11964 Mandarin Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32223

 

Melbourne

When: Saturday, May 30, 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Where: Grills Riverside, 6075 N US Hwy 1, Melbourne, FL 32940

On the Lagoon, east side of US Hwy 1, just north of Pineda Causeway.

Miami

City of South Miami Mayor Philip Stoddard invites you to a public meeting with the Water and Land Legacy Coalition.

When: Saturday, May 30, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Where: South Miami City Hall Commission Chamber, 6130 Sunset Dr., South Miami, FL 33143

Orlando

When: Saturday, May 30, 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Where: Eagle’s Nest Park, 5165 Metrowest Blvd, Orlando, FL 32811

Stuart

When: Saturday, May 30, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Where: Terra Fermata, 26 SE 6th St., Stuart, FL 34994

Tampa

When: Saturday, May 30, 10:30 am – 11:30 am

Where: Cypress Point Park, 5620 W. Cypress St., Tampa, FL 33607

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