The Coalition to Protect Florida’s Economy’s Anti-Tax Initiative
SUPREME COURT OFFICIALLY REMOVES AMENDMENT 5 FROM BALLOT
The decision came only hours after justices heard oral arguments
Not long after oral arguments were heard, the Florida Supreme Court’s seven justices unanimously affirmed the Circuit Court decision removing Amendment 5 from the November 2008 ballot, as well as two voucher-related proposals placed on the ballot by the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.
The justices stated that no motion for rehearing will be entertained. Read the full order released by the Supreme Court of Florida.
While the FICPA has fought against a services tax since 1987, we could not have been successful without your voices and voluntary financial commitment to wage and now to successfully defeat four consecutive legal challenges!
Meeting this type of threat to our profession is one reason why the FICPA exists. The Institute and our allies will continue to fight legislation that attempts to place a services tax in Florida’s Constitution. While today’s Supreme Court decision is certainly great news, we must always be vigilant for tomorrow’s challenges.
About the Coalition to Protect Florida’s Economy
The Coalition to Protect Florida s Economy represents a wide-range of everyday Floridians including farmers, health care providers, educators, engineers, architects, CPAs, manufacturers, printers, small businesses, large businesses and many others. Many of these individuals took time away from their families, jobs and businesses to testify over the past year before the 2007 Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. This included several statewide public hearings and deliberations in Tallahassee.
Contributors to the Coalition to Protect Florida's Economy can be found below or on the Florida Division of Elections Web site. Those organizations listed with an '*' are named parties in the legal challenge against Amendment 5, but may not necessarily be contributors (see below):
Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida
Association of Florida Community Developers
Associated Industries of Florida *
Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects
Florida Association of District School Superintendents*
Florida Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
Florida Association of Insurance Agents
Florida Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors
Florida Association of School Administrators*
Florida Chamber of Commerce
Florida Engineering Society
Florida Farm Bureau*
Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association*
Florida Health Care Association
Florida Hospital Association
Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants*
Florida Life Care Residents Association
Florida Retail Federation
Florida School Boards Association*
Florida United Businesses Association
Humana, Inc.
JM Family Enterprises
Manufacturers Association of Florida
National Federation of Independent Business - Florida*
Printing Association of Florida*
Amendment 5
For nearly 8 years the Coalition to Protect Florida’s Economy – a group of more than 20 Florida organizations representing diverse areas of our state – has successfully defeated three proposed amendments to Florida’s Constitution that would have drastically turned Florida’s tax structure on its head. The Coalition’s members collectively oppose any effort to create a services tax in Florida. A services tax is not a tax on business or the wealthy – it is a tax on individuals who choose to utilize any service.
As we work to remove proposed constitutional Amendment 5 from the 2008 ballot we felt it important that you have readily available the most current and useful resources regarding this matter. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact John Johnson, Director of Governmental Affairs, at govaffairs@ficpa.org.
Amendment 5
Anti-Tax Initiative Voluntary Contribution
-
Please take the opportunity to support your profession in defeating Amendment 5. Your $50 voluntary contribution will be used solely to fight this tax proposal, which we believe opens the door to a tax on professional services. Contact the Governmental Affairs Department at govaffairs@ficpa.org for information on how to make a contribution.
Other Groups Opposing Amendment 5
Applicable Articles and Information
|
About Us