In The News 
Florida Judge Pulls Amendment 5 Off the Ballot
A court in Leon County has thrown out a ballot measure advocates say could reduce property taxes by as much as 40 percent citing the measure is not properly explained in voting materials.
Florida Builders Hear Sides of Tax Swap Proposal
Florida's homebuilders were told Saturday that a proposal to slash property taxes raised for schools in exchange for other new revenue will boost home sales and help an industry that's suffering through an economic downturn.
65 Percent Solution’ School Plan Comes to Florida
Conservatives and libertarians nationwide tout the "65 percent solution," an enticing, simple - and some say deceptive - school budgeting concept, as a way to increase classroom spending without raising taxes.
Florida Realtors Launch Campaign in Support of Amendment 5
The Florida Association of Realtors on July 22 launched a new grassroots campaign pushing for the passage of Amendment 5 in November. The association also plans to contribute $1 million to the "Give Me 5 for Florida's Future" campaign, which supports the amendment that would eliminate the school portion of local property tax to save property owners an estimated $9.3 billion in 2011.
Time to Talk Taxes
State Sen. Mike Haridopolos announced plans Tuesday to step up his opposition to November's Amendment 5 with 10 public forums to debate the proposed property tax changes.
Debunked Idea is Stealth Ally to voucher Vote
A national school funding fad widely derided as a gimmick has been revived to boost passage of a pro-voucher ballot item.
Snake Oil Peddlers
To fool voters even more, commissioners added to Amendment 9 a politically appealing, but practically meaningless, provision "Requiring 65 percent of school funding for classroom instruction." The implication is that more school funds will be directly targeted at teachers and classroom activities. But that's a ruse to sell an amendment that is otherwise intended to clear the way for more state spending on private, not public, schools.
School Voucher Plan Faces Challenge From Teachers
The state teachers union intends to file a lawsuit soon, arguing that the commission overstepped its authority when it took up the issue of vouchers. They and others are also planning to campaign against the amendments, should the court challenge fail.
Bush Allies Put Pro-Voucher Plans on Ballot
Voters will get two different choices in November to enshrine vouchers in the state constitution. On Friday, the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission voted 19-6 to approve a constitutional amendment that would remove the state's ban on using taxpayer money to fund other K-12 education schools. Yesterday, the TBRC approved an amendment that would remove the constitutional ban on using taxpayer money for religious-based or church-run schools and institutions.
