With Mike Fasano vacating House District 36 after his appointment by Governor Scott as tax collector of Pasco County, a special election was held on October 15th. Democrat Amanda Murphy defeated Republican Bill Gunter, both of New Port Richey, 51%-49%. Though she won by only 322 votes, it did not trigger an automatic recount. In Read more about Fall 2013 Special Election[…]
The Florida Supreme Court approved a ballot proposal that would provide funding for the Land Acquisition Trust Fund. The funding will be secured by requiring 33 percent of net revenues from the documentary tax paid on real estate transactions be used for conservation land purchases, trails, beaches, protecting drinking water sources, encouraging fish and wildlife programs Read more about 2014 Ballot Initiatives[…]
VOTER PURGE. As previously reported, the Governor announced his intention to continue with the removal of non-citizen registered voters as a result of a Supreme Court decision allowing such activities. Secretary of State Ken Detzner, who oversees the elected Supervisors of Elections, began a tour called ‘Project Integrity’ to explain the new procedures. Florida now plans Read more about Fall 2013 Legal Updates[…]
COMMON CORE. The past few months have seen an increase in the debate regarding the Common Core Standards for K-12 education. Forty-five states and the District of Columbia adopted the standards, which would create a uniform outline of what students at each grade level should master. In response to criticism of the standards by some groups, Read more about Fall 2013 Issues of Interest[…]
Despite Florida’s economists projecting an $845 million surplus for fiscal year 2014-2015, Governor Rick Scott instructed state agencies to submit budgets with a 5% cut to recurring funds. State agencies were required to send their proposed budgets to the Governor by October 15th. Coupled with these proposed reductions is the Governor’s intent to cut taxes Read more about Florida’s Projected Budget 2014-2015[…]