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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2013 This November, Florida voters will have the chance to take part in a historic vote.<\/p>\nby:\u00a0Stephanie Carroll Carson, Public News Service-FL<\/p>\n
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2013 This November, Florida voters will have the chance to take part in a historic vote.<\/p>\n
The Legacy Amendment \u2013 now classified as Amendment 1 \u2013 will be on the ballot.<\/p>\n
If it passes, it would dedicate a portion of the state’s real estate transfer fee to water and land conservation.<\/p>\n
Manley Fuller, president of the Florida Wildlife Federation, says the consistent funding stream is necessary to protect one of the state’s greatest environmental and economic resources.<\/p>\n
“Florida has experienced tremendous population growth,\u201d he points out. \u201cIt has incredible natural resources, but we believe that we need a long-term, steady commitment of resources for our conservation lands.”<\/p>\n
To get on the ballot, the amendment\u2019s supporters got more than 700,000 signatures, and approval from the state Supreme Court and the Florida Department of State.<\/p>\n
Opponents of the amendment say it gives the state government too much control of the land.<\/p>\n
If passed, 33 percent of the state’s documentary stamp tax revenue \u2013 paid when real estate is sold \u2013 would be dedicated to land conservation, provide for outdoor recreation, managing existing lands and protection of lands critical to the water supply.<\/p>\n
Fuller reminds voters this is not a new tax, just an allocation of what they’re already paying.<\/p>\n
“We think that this is a win-win situation for Florida,\u201d he says. \u201cAnd the voters have the opportunity to express their opinion in November 2014 on the Legacy Amendment.”<\/p>\n
The amount of money collected by Amendment 1 from the existing stamp tax amounts to less than 1 percent of the state budget.<\/p>\n
Fuller stresses it’s important to note that the Legacy Conservation Lands Program would not force any landowner to sell to the trust or agree to an easement.<\/p>\n