HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 97-03
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EDUCATIONAL FUNDING THAT WAS WITHDRAWN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
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S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor
(SEAL)
FOR USE AND RELIANCE ONLY BY
THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
this 1- day of April, 1997.
FOLEY & LARDNER
By: W) t4JfJ
City Attorney
APPROVED by the OCOEE CITY
COMMISSION at a meeting held
on the date indicated above under
Agenda Item No. VI ~ .
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