Environmental Protection. That program,
sold to the Legislature as possibly generat-
ing up to $50 million, has fallen far short of
expectations. A related legislative act in 2013
called for $10 million in doc stamp revenue to
be set aside from the Land Acquisition Trust
Fund for military base buffering.
Backers of Amendment 1 say it is the best
way to ensure adequate funding is dedicated
to restoring critical natural areas, such as the
Everglades, and protecting Florida's waters
and lands.
"We are talking less than 1 percent" of the
state's overall $74 billion budget for land and
water conservation, Abberger pointed out.
LOCAL FISCAL IMPACTS?
Robinson said it is important that state and,
ultimately, local transportation and afford-
able housing dollars are not decreased. She
wants voters to know the amendment could
result in trickle-down impacts to "programs
very important to Sarasota County."
Voters just might think twice about marking
"Yes" on their ballots if it means "less funding
for roads," Robinson told the News Leader.
"It is not creating a new stream," Robinson
said of Amendment 1. "It is taking money
from where we need it."
A chart shows documentary stamp tax collections and distributions as of December 2013. Image
courtesy State of Florida
Sarasota News Leader March 14, 2014 Page 21
