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Natural Resources Amendment Secures Environmental Funding But Raises Concerns

Former governor Bob Graham (left), Jon Mills (center) and David Hart (right) from the Florida Chamber of Commerce discuss how Amendment 1 would affect Florida in front of an audience at Pugh Hall Sept. 4. Graham, a supporter of the amendment, said Florida should be viewed as a treasure to be protected instead of a “commodity,” while Hart said that passing this amendment could cause some serious implications for balancing the state budget.
Former governor Bob Graham (left), Jon Mills (center) and David Hart (right) from the Florida Chamber of Commerce discuss how Amendment 1 would affect Florida in front of an audience at Pugh Hall Sept. 4. Graham, a supporter of the amendment, said Florida should be viewed as a treasure to be protected instead of a “commodity,” while Hart said that passing this amendment could cause some serious implications for balancing the state budget.

After gathering almost one million signatures from Florida voters, Amendment 1 – also known as the Florida Land and Water Conservation Amendment – will appear on the November ballot.

The amendment would not raise any taxes but proposes to take one-third of the documentary stamp tax from real estate transactions and divert those funds for the restoration, management and land acquisition of Florida’s natural areas.

“The concept is that real estate will pay for green space,” said Tom Kay, executive director of theAlachua Conservation Trust. The trust is one of 13 founding organizations that helped the amendment get off the ground.

Kay said if it were passed, it would have an incredible impact on the area because the springs in North Central Florida would get the necessary resources for their protection.

“By making it a constitutional amendment, it will secure funding for 20 years,” Kay said.  Over that period, it is estimated about $10 billion will be generated for conservation projects.

But the amount of money to be collected for environmental funding has opponents riled up.

“Imagine if you will that we have another recession… and our legislature and our governor have $20 billion over that time period that are set aside and dedicated to one purpose,” said David Hart from the Florida Chamber of Commerce in a panel discussion on Sept. 4. “They’re left with some even tougher choices, which might include, ‘What program do I cut?’”

With Dean Emeritus of the UF Levin College of Law Jon Mills moderating, Hart and former Florida governor Bob Graham debated the effects of the proposed amendment at the Bob Graham Center at Pugh Hall.

http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2014/09/Graham-and-Hart-Interviews1.mp3"

Hart voiced his concerns over being able to balance the state budget efficiently if it were to pass.

“I believe that funding for these programs ought to have to compete each year in the budget process just like everything else that comes before the legislature,” he said.

However, Graham is still encouraged by the support and said Florida voters have passed similar amendments multiple times.

“This [amendment] will not only return us to where we’ve been in the past, but assure the people of Florida that for 20 years we’re going to be buying land for their benefit,” Graham said.

A significant portion of the documentary stamp tax already supports environmental programs such as the Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund and the Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund. Money collected from the taxes also goes toward state housing and transportation. A small portion goes into the General Revenue Fund, which encompasses anything from Medicaid to education.

Although the amendment proposes that one-third of the documentary stamp tax would be going to conservation projects, it does not necessarily mean funding for other programs would be cut, said Amy Baker, coordinator of the Legislatures Office of Economic and Demographic Research.

“At this moment, it is unknown what programs will be affected going forward until the legislature makes the policies down the road,” she said. “There are many permutations that can be made by redistributing the funds.”

The campaign has amassed nearly one million signatures – more than enough required to have it appear on the ballot this November.

“Our only challenge was getting the signatures in the two-year window,” said Will Abberger, campaign manager at Florida’s Water and Land Legacy, the amendment's sponsoring organization.

Abberger said the support has been overwhelming, particularly once voters understood the funds would come from a real estate fee already in place and not increase taxes in any way.

“The documentary stamp tax has been the historic source of funding for water conservation, dating back to the 60s,” he said. “Future generations of Floridians will be able to enjoy clean water and see that the environment is protected.”

Lauren is a reporter who can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.