ACLU Florida: Tax Reform Commission could threaten public schools

ACLU Florida: Tax Reform Commission could threaten public schools

The Florida Budget and Taxation Reform Commission has recently begun meeting. You may not have heard of the Commission which meets only every 20 years, but it has the power to place constitutional amendments directly on the November 2008 ballot. Some recent proposals to the Commission have given rise to civil liberties issues of interest.

ACLU concern about the Commission

While there are exceptions, the ACLU does not normally become involved with issues relating to taxation and budget. Our primary focus is substantive policy, not how or to what extent a particular policy might be funded.

ACLU assumed that few, if any, issues addressed by the Commission would raise civil liberties concerns. That assumption proved incorrect when at a recent meeting of the Commission, it was suggested that the Commission act where the Florida Legislature has not by placing a constitutional amendment on the November 2008 ballot that would overrule a decision by the Florida Supreme Court finding the Opportunity Scholarship Program (school vouchers) unconstitutional. ACLU was co-counsel in the Florida Supreme Court case.

ACLU would vigorously oppose any proposed constitutional amendment that would authorize the payment of state tax dollars to religious or private institutions that otherwise would benefit public education.

At this point, a school voucher amendment is merely a topic, among many, for discussion by the Commission. Nonetheless, it is an issue that needs to be monitored closely by the ACLU and others who believe not only in the separation of church and state, but also in a strong system of public education.

Web Site

Information about the Florida Budget and Taxation Reform Commission including the names of members, committee assignments, meeting schedules, and reports filed to date, can be found at the Commission's web site, www.floridatbrc.org.