March 2012 Archives
State needs to keep its trust funds
The state of Florida has long played a cynical game with its trust funds, turning the term on its head.
One example is the Sadowski fund, which is designed to make housing more affordable. It was perfectly designed to produce funds based on documentary stamp taxes. When prices are high, the taxes produce more revenue.
Read more>
Legislators hit hardest the pocketbooks of state workers, college students
TALLAHASSEE — After a year of incremental drops in the state’s unemployment rate, Florida lawmakers came to the Capitol armed with promises to jump-start jobs, but they left handcuffed by the stubborn economy.
Read more>
2012 session summary: Real Estate and Growth Management
Expectations were low going into the session that any significant growth management legislation would pass. In 2011, the Legislature approved sweeping law changes in SB 1122 despite opposition from environmental groups. Those changes removed much of the state oversight of local land-use decisions. Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton and chairman of the Senate Committee on Community Affairs, said during the 2012 session he wanted to give cities and counties time to understand and adjust to the changes made last year. “They didn’t do any real damage this time,” said Charles Pattison, president of 1000 Friends of Florida environmental group.
Read more>
EDITORIAL: Missed opportunities
The Florida Legislature ended its 60-day session with nothing to help cash-strapped homeowners or college students or those struggling to get a job or to ensure safety for the frail elderly at state-licensed facilities. Yet legislators delivered plenty of indiscriminate business tax breaks.
Read more>
EDITORIAL: Legislative session creates a slew of messes
The Florida Legislature ended its 60-day session with nothing to help cash-strapped homeowners or college students or those struggling to get a job or to ensure safety for the frail elderly at state-licensed facilities. Yet legislators delivered plenty of indiscriminate business tax breaks.
Read more>
EDITORIAL: Salvation Army’s plan would spare some families from homelessness
The Salvation Army’s idea to build affordable housing for families — and put a small plug in the gaping hole of local residential options for low-income workers — merits an open and honest community discussion. In the current market, apartment rents are out of reach for many with minimum-wage jobs and part-time employment.
Read more>