HomeMy WebLinkAboutVI (B) Discussion/ Action re: Resolution No. 97-03 in support of citizens efforts to restore educational funding that was withdrawn after passage of the Florida Lottery AGENDA 4-1-97
item VI li
RESOLUTION NO. 97-03
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA IN
SUPPORT OF CITIZEN EFFORTS TO RESTORE
EDUCATIONAL FUNDING THAT WAS WITHDRAWN
AFTER PASSAGE OF THE FLORIDA LOTTERY
WHEREAS, in 1986 voters approved amending the Florida Constitution to allow the
creation of state operated lotteries. At that time, citizens were assured that funds generated by
the lotteries would be used to enhance the state educational system and, in fact, the lotteries
were entitled "Florida Education Lotteries" with net proceeds to be deposited in a state trust fund
designated as "The State Lotteries Trust Fund"; and
WHEREAS, during the intervening ten (10) years, the Florida Legislature has simply
reduced state funding for education in an amount equal to the net proceeds generated by the
lotteries, with the result that education has failed to benefit in any way from the enactment of
the state lotteries system; and
WHEREAS, the failure to use lotteries proceeds to augment educational funding is
unjust, improper and a violation of the covenant with the people of the State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, there is a strong, vigorous effort by certain citizens to amend Article IX,
Section 1, of the Florida Constitution to require that the Legislature restore state funding of
education to the level that existed prior to the institution of the state lotteries so that lottery
dollars would augment, rather than replace, state funding; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature can and should take the initiative to restore the state's
education funding to pre-lottery levels; and
WHEREAS, this reduction in funding has resulted in an estimated cumulative total loss
of $12.8 billion dollars to education over the past ten years while the school population has
increased by 650,000 students during that same time; and
WHEREAS, if the state's education funding were to be restored to its pre-lottery levels,
Orange County would receive, according to certain projections, an estimated increase in funding
equal to $65 million dollars annually; and
WHEREAS, concurrent with restoring such funding, whether by initiative of the
Legislature or under constitutional mandate, it should be incumbent on the Legislature to recoup
any resulting shortfall in the state budget by either cutting costs and expenses or by finding
sources of revenue other than local political subdivisions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Commission of the City of Ocoee,
Florida:
•
Section 1: The City Commission of the City of Ocoee hereby urges the Legislature
of Florida to restore the state's level of education funding to the total appropriations percentage
level that existed prior to the institution of the state lotteries, so that net proceeds from the
lotteries can be used solely as an enhancement to education, not a replacement for other state
funding, and to restore education funding by statute, without the need for a constitutional
amendment.
Section 2. The City Commission of the City of Ocoee further encourages the
Legislature that it would be unjust to attempt to shift to cities, counties or school boards, any
shortfall in the state budget that may result from the restoration of state educational funding
levels. The Legislature is therefore, exhorted to either cut costs and expenses or find alternative
sources of revenue.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this day of April, 1997.
APPROVED:
ATTEST: CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA
Jean Grafton, City Clerk S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor
(SEAL)
FOR USE AND RELIANCE ONLY BY
THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
this day of April, 1997.
FOLEY & LARDNER APPROVED by the OCOEE CITY
COMMISSION at a meeting held
on the date indicated above under
By: Agenda Item No.
City Attorney
2
-19-1597 4:004fl FP.CH P. 2
CAL TY
GOVERNMENT
FLORIDA
TO: Mayor S . Scott Vandergrift
PROM: Commissioner Clarence M. Hoenstine
District $4
DATE: February 6, 1997
SUBJECT: A Revised Resolution in Support of Citizen
Efforts to Restore Educational Funding that
was Withdrawn After Passage of the Florida
Lottery
Attached is the revised resolution that is going before
the Board of County Commissioners for approval on
Tuesday, February 11, 1997 .
School issues are very close to my heart and I feel that
we both have a strong commitment to the families and
the children of our adjoining boundaries . Please review
this resolution and if this meets your approval, would
you please submit this to your board.
This is a state effort and I would like to have your
assistance in this matter. I_` there is any further
information that you need, please feel free to phone me
at any time. I can be reached at (407) 836-5371 .
BOARD OF COUNTY COM IISSIONFRS
201 South Rosalind Avenue•Reply To:HrsL Oft1c.Box 1393•Orlando, Fimtda 82802.1393
Telephnne(407)836-7350•Fax(40I) '3365879
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3-19-1S97 d:01Arl FROM P_ 3
OtAIE
C6NTY�
GOVERNMENT
FLORIDA
To : City of Ocoee
Mayor Scott Vandergrift
From: Commissioner Clarence M. Hoenstine � 'LL-N�"z"'
District #4
Date: March 3 , 1997
Subject : Follow-up on Revised Resolution in Support of
Citizen Efforts to Restore Educational Funding
that was Withdrawn After Passage of the
Florida Lottery.
In February, I faxed you a copy of the revised resolution to
support educational funding. As T am very concerned about
this issue, I would appreciate knowing if and when the
resolution received your board' s approval . If not, please
let me know when will you be able to submit it to your board.
I would also appreciate a copy of the passed resolution for
our records .
It is also very important to let our state legislators know
how we feel about this issue. Please send a copy of the
Passed resolution to the following:
Senate President Toni Jennings
Senate District #9
1032 Wilfred Drive
Orlando, Florida 32803
and
House of Representatives President Daniel Webster
House District #41
358 West Story Road
Ocoee, Florida 34761
I appreciate your support in this matter. If you have any
questions, or if there is anything that I or my staff can do
for you, please call . I can be reached at (407) 836-7350 .
BOARD OF COUNTY COM MTSSIONERS
201 South R.wallnd Avenue a Reply To,Yoit UOlee Box 1393.Orlando, Florida 32802-1393
Telephone(407)K16-7350.Pax(407)88S-3879
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