I find it ironic that Gov. Rick Scott professes that his budget cuts will create jobs and revive our economy, yet most local officials will tell you that they expect their revenues to continue to fall over the next two to three years. Shouldn’t prosperity mean more sales taxes, increases in property values and thus more revenue for local governments?
Conservatives also decry big government and say they support more local control. However, our conservative lawmakers are supporting legislation to prevent counties doing just that. Santa Rosa County has a noise ordinance that regulates gun ranges –Sen. Greg Evers and Rep. Matt Gaetz have a bill that will outlaw that ordinance. Rep. Clay Ingram has a bill that will prevent counties from regulating fertilizer usage.