Florida Amendment 3, State Revenue Limitation Amendment (2012)
| Florida Amendment 3 | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic Education and State and local government budgets, spending, and finance |
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| Status |
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| Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment |
Origin |
Florida Amendment 3 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Florida on November 6, 2012. It was defeated.
A “yes” vote supported increasing the state's revenue limitation and requiring excess funds be deposited into a budget stabilization fund until the fund hits its maximum, at which time the money first be spent on public education and then additional excess funds be returned to the taxpayers. |
A “no” vote opposed increasing the state's revenue limitation and requiring excess funds be deposited into a budget stabilization fund until the fund hits its maximum, at which time the money first be spent on public education and then additional excess funds be returned to the taxpayers. |
Election results
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Florida Amendment 3 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 3,204,350 | 42.44% | ||
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4,346,740 | 57.56% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Amendment 3 was as follows:
| “ | This proposed amendment to the State Constitution replaces the existing state revenue limitation based on Florida personal income growth with a new state revenue limitation based on inflation and population changes. Under the amendment, state revenues, as defined in the amendment, collected in excess of the revenue limitation must be deposited into the budget stabilization fund until the fund reaches its maximum balance, and thereafter shall be used for the support and maintenance of public schools by reducing the minimum financial effort required from school districts for participation in a state-funded education finance program, or, if the minimum financial effort is no longer required, returned to the taxpayers. The Legislature may increase the state revenue limitation through a bill approved by a super majority vote of each house of the Legislature. The Legislature may also submit a proposed increase in the state revenue limitation to the voters. The Legislature must implement this proposed amendment by general law. The amendment will take effect upon approval by the electors and will first apply to the 2014-2015 state fiscal year. | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
Support
Senate President Mike Haridopolos is, reportedly, a long-time supporter of "Smart Cap." On February 24, 2011, he said, "Florida’s families are forced to spend their money responsibly and so should state government. Historically government has spent more when times are good and then been forced to make dramatic cuts when the economy takes a downturn. The ‘Smart Cap’ amendment ensures the state budget doesn’t grow beyond a family’s ability to pay for it."[1]
Opposition
Opponents include groups like the AARP and the League of Women Voters. Jack McRay of the AARP said the proposed revenue cap could prevent government services from keeping up with demand.[2]
On March 2, 2011 the League of Women Voters officially announced their opposition to SJR 958. "The League has opposed this bill since it was first introduced in Florida in 2008. TABOR has been brought up and defeated in more than twenty states; the only state to pass TABOR is Colorado," said the league.[3][4]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the Florida Constitution
A 60% vote is required during one legislative session for the Florida State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 51 votes in the Florida House of Representatives and 18 votes in the Florida State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot. Amendments on the ballot must be approved by 60% of voters to pass.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Senator Mike Haridopolos,"'Smart Cap' bill approved by final committee, moves to Senate floor," February 24, 2011
- ↑ The Florida Independent, "TABOR-style revenue cap ready for final Florida Senate vote," February 25, 2011
- ↑ League of Women Voters, "Take Action TODAY: Stop TABOR!" March 2, 2011
- ↑ Orland Business Journal, "League of Women Voters against TABOR," March 2, 2011
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State of Florida Tallahassee (capital) |
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