Florida bill requiring supermajority for millage rate increases passes first committee assignment

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Legislation by Rep. Sam Garrison, R-Fleming Island, requiring a two thirds supermajority vote for counties and municipalities to implement a millage rate increase passed its first committee assignment on Monday.

Garrison’s bill, HB 1195, is a companion to Sen. Blaise Ingoglia’s, R-Spring Hill, legislation.

The House Ways and Means Committee passed the bill 15-7 and adopted a technical amendment that was introduced by the sponsor.

The legislation will also be reviewed for approval by the Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts House Subcommittee and the State Affairs House Committee before it reaches the floor.

Garrison explained to the committee that the bill was in line with Florida’s emphasis on limited government. He also tied in how the legislature is already required to have a supermajority vote in order to raise taxes at the state level, and that his legislation would require similarly local compliance as well.

Rep. Daryl Campbell, D-Fort Lauderdale, questioned why the bill was needed at this time.

“All we’ve known since I’ve I’ve come to Tallahassee is that it takes two-thirds to raise taxes,” Garrison responded. “The voters, by an overwhelming majority, supermajority of the voters actually, made it very clear that that’s their expectation for government officials when taxes are raised.”

With this being the case, he explained that it’s never made sense to him that property taxes, taxes that effect everybody, can be raised by a simple majority.

Ingoglia told Florida’s Voice that he believes it is “really good public policy” if local governments are held to the same standard as the state legislature.

“Local elected officials need to remember it’s not their money. It’s the taxpayers money and they should use it as efficiently as possible,” he said.