Florida Forever land program dropped

FLORIDA: Legislature drops Florida Forever program from budget

Florida Forever, the nation's largest environmental land-buying program, was dropped from the state budget.

Both chambers wanted to zero out the program's $12 million appropriation as the state is facing a $6 billion shortfall. However, Sens. Al Lawson (D-Tallahassee) and Carey Baker (R-Mount Dora) found a new funding source -- $10 million from the potentially $400 million expected by the state from closing a corporate tax loophole.

For now, the program is dead.

ALSO IN THE SOUTH:

ALABAMA: House unanimously approves $6.2 billion budget for education

ARKANSAS: Legislature to be asked to pass law against releasing petitioners' personal information

GEORGIA: SW Ga. mayors want Gov. Perdue to veto tax freeze

KENTUCKY: State's women observe 'Pay Equity Day'

LOUISIANA: Legislature to look at hospital and ethics bills today

MISSISSIPPI: Smokers in Mississippi may see additional 50 cent rise in cigarette prices

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue orders furlough of state employees

SOUTH CAROLINA: Senate rejects alternative budget

TENNESSEE: Bill passed by House to allow megasite expansions

VIRGINIA: Democratic candidates for governor gear up for second debate in two days

OPINIONS: Patrick Leahy: Voting Rights Act still has work to do for states
"Today the U.S. Supreme Court will consider a case challenging the constitutional authority of Congress to reauthorize Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. Three years ago, the Senate and House of Representatives overwhelmingly reauthorized expiring provisions of this critical civil rights law. The challenge brought today before the nation’s highest court threatens to undermine one of the nation’s premier laws protecting the right to vote."

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to: info@bettersouth.org