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Another Chance

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THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: March 4, 2009

The 2009 regular session of the Florida Legislature is under way. The issue dominating the proceedings is the dwindling state government revenue stream. According to current estimates, planned spending for the state's 2010 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, will have to be cut by $5 billion. If not, there would be a budget deficit, which the state constitution bans.

In one corner will be those who want to offset the shortfall in state tax and fee revenue with the money Florida is being offered as part of the federal government's economic stimulus plan. Others in Tallahassee worry the money from Washington will only lure the state into making more budgetary obligations it can't meet once the federal cash runs out.

The Legislature could reduce the future red ink potential by asking the Florida voters to do away with the class size amendment to the state constitution they approved in 2002. Unfortunately, lawmakers may only delay class-size compliance a year and ask voters to approve a change in the way compliance is determined next year.

Even in the best of economic times imposing class-size limits on local schools boards is a bad idea. How compliance with this mistake is measured makes no real difference. Voters in 2004 repealed the high-speed rail amendment they had approved in 2000. Given another chance, voters in 2010 might agree it's time for the class-size amendment to go as well.

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