Florida tax reform commission thrusts state-church issues onto voters in November

[Judi Lynn]

Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel/McClatchy-Tribune

Florida tax reform commission thrusts state-church issues onto voters in November
Thursday, March 27, 2008; Posted: 11:25 AM

TALLAHASSEE, Mar 27, 2008 (South Florida Sun-Sentinel - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- -- Tax dollars could be funneled to Florida religious schools and a controversial private school voucher program be revived under a proposal the state's powerful tax reform commission is sending to the November ballot.

Florida's constitution now prohibits the state from spending public funds directly or indirectly in aid of sectarian institutions -- a longstanding provision used by an appeals court in 2004 to declare the state's landmark voucher program unconstitutional.

State voters on Nov. 4 will be asked to remove that prohibition and replace it with this language: "Individuals or entities may not be barred from participating in public programs because of their religion."

The proposed amendment to the state constitution passed the Florida Tax and Budget Reform Commission on Wednesday on a 17-7 vote. A minimum of 17 votes are needed to put a proposed constitutional change on a statewide ballot. To become law, 60 percent of voters must approve.



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[meegbear]

1. The ACLU has an email alert on it ...

You can click here to read it and there's a link on the page to the message section of the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission’s web site.

[ooglymoogly]

2. Seems to me this will be the death knell of the public school system

and a gazillion nails in the building of the madrases of MURKA

[lark]

3. Florida continues to do it's best

to operate like it's a third world country. I've lived here for 18 years, taking care of elderly and sick parents, and I continue to be embarassed for my state.

[JerseygirlCT]

4. Oh my. Talk about turning the law on its head! nt