MITCH NEEDELMAN

State Representative, District #31

 Chair: Environmental Regulations l  Vice Chair: Juvenile Justice Committee
lState Resources Council l Justice Appropriations
lSelect Committee on Juvenile Detention Facilities

     

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Bill Johnson
April 5, 2006	(321) 984-4848

TALLAHASSEE – For the second session in as many years CAPIT, the Brevard County Charter amendment which was passed overwhelmingly by the voters of the County, failed to be passed out of the Local Government Council today. The Council chaired by Representative Ken Sorensen of Key Largo voted 5 to 2 against moving the House Bill 917 sponsored by Representative Mitch Needelman.

The Bill would have authorized counties to cap annual growth in ad valorem tax revenues thereby complying with the will of the citizens of the county. The Association of Counties lobbied heavily against the bill. In testimony today The Association claimed that the passage of this bill would lead the “bankrupting” of their counties. “The taxpayers never met a tax they didn’t want to eliminate or lower” paraphrased on member of the Association.

"The taxpayers and voters of our counties were once again rebuffed by the bureaucrats who have come to power in the state. The Association of Counties has yet again told the taxpayers that they know better how to spend their money" said Rep. Needelman.

Needelman represents Melbourne, Palm Bay and many beachside communities. “The Association must be told that we are the custodians of the PEOPLES money. That money is not ours and we are mandated to be good stewards of their money. By allowing the citizens of a county to have a say in how their money is spent is the aim of my legislation. I will present this bill again next year and hope to have the ‘power of the people’ behind me” Needelman said.

The nays on the Council were cast by Representatives Thomas Anderson, (former Mayor of Dunedin), Allen Hayes, Julio Rubino (former S. Miami Commissioner) Matt Meadows and Terry Fields (former Jacksonville City Councilman). The yeas were from Chair Ken Sorensen and Mike Davis.

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