Matt Reed: What did you expect from Amendment 1?
- Take our poll or leave a comment
- Millions from land-acquisition fund pay general state expenses
Tell me: If you voted for Amendment 1 two years ago, did you understand what it meant? Take our Amendment 1 poll here.
Or were you one of those “low information voters” talk-radio hosts rant about when elections don’t go their way?
I’m asking for your take on the constitutional amendment today to double-check the will of the voters. For two years now, the Florida Legislature has interpreted Amendment 1 more conservatively than the conservation groups that put it on the ballot and – I’m guessing – some of the 75 percent of Brevard County voters who helped pass it in 2014.
POLL: Take our Amendment 1 poll
The difference in funding comes to several hundred million dollars over the past two years, some of which might have launched projects to purify the Indian River Lagoon. Environmental groups have sued the Legislature, accusing it of shortchanging conservation and breaking the law.
Now, a judge in Tallahassee will try to interpret the will of voters, based on the ballot language they saw.
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What voters approved
What did you see? If you voted in Florida in 2014, here’s what the summary on your ballot said:
"Water and Land Conservation – Dedicates funds to acquire and restore Florida conservation and recreation lands
"Funds the Land Acquisition Trust Fund to acquire, restore, improve, and manage conservation lands including wetlands and forests; fish and wildlife habitat; lands protecting water resources and drinking water sources, including the Everglades, and the water quality of rivers, lakes, and streams; beaches and shores; outdoor recreational lands; working farms and ranches; and historic or geologic sites, by dedicating 33 percent of net revenues from the existing excise tax on documents for 20 years."
That 33 percent share of state taxes from real estate transactions is a big deal. It amounts to about $740 million in 2016 – more during real estate booms, less during busts.
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If you voted, what did you think the money would pay for?
If you’re a wonk like me, you might have looked up the full text of the amendment, now part of the state Constitution that lawmakers swear to uphold.
The longer version adds that the money can cover debt payments on land purchases and pay for staff and equipment needed for the “management and restoration of natural systems.” It also prohibits the Legislature from “commingling” the conservation money with general revenue and expenses.
I thought I knew what that meant in 2012.
But I don’t write the state budget.
“There’s a whole lot more to being a conservationist than acquiring property,” Sen. Alan Hays, then chair of the Senate appropriations subcommittee, wrote in an opinion column. “There is no requirement to spend a specific portion solely on land acquisition.”
Guess what? He’s right.
Follow the money
Still, my review of the 2016-2017 budget for the Land Acquisition Trust Fund this week found it doesn’t exactly match a common-sense reading of Amendment 1.
Of the $740 million mandated by voters for conservation, $584.3 million – about 80 percent – will be spent on purchasing land or easements, restoring that land, or cleaning up springs and waterways.
The biggest portion is $215 million for Everglades restoration (including $28 million for land acquisition), followed by $175 million for bond payments on past land purchases.
But the state’s signature land-preservation program, Florida Forever, gets just $15.2 million. Water management districts will get $10.4 million to help local projects. Springs restoration gets $50 million. Beach projects get $21.6 million.
What’s next for the Indian River Lagoon?
So where will the other $156 million from Amendment 1 go? That’s hard to say because it’s commingled in the land-acquisition fund with another $162 million the Legislature added from general revenue – along with legacy expenses previously covered by other money.
Those expenses include all or part of $162 million to be paid by the land-conservation fund for salaries, benefits and bonuses at various state agencies. Another $25 million (more than Florida Forever) goes to “agency operating expenses” such as building maintenance, motor vehicles and computer services. Historic preservation gets $2 million.
Is that what voters expected?
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Does 80 percent funding for Amendment 1 equal a “B” grade to you?
Or did you have something else in mind?
Share your comment or email your opinion to Reed at mreed@floridatoday.com.
POLL: Take our Amendment 1 poll.