Higher bar for new state taxes and fees wins support in House

In an election-year appeal to tax-conscious voters, the Florida House voted Thursday to make it harder for future state legislators to raise taxes or fees.

By a lopsided vote of 80-29, the House endorsed a super-majority vote of two-thirds of both chambers to find new money. That means a mere third of members in either the House or Senate could block future tax hikes or repeal long-standing sales tax exemptions that mainly benefit businesses.

“Taking a citizen’s hard-earned money should not be done lightly,” said the bill sponsor, Rep. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach. “You either stand with the people whose money the government takes or you stand with the government that takes it.”

Gov. Rick Scott and Republican lawmakers say their goal is to prevent future tax hikes.

Read more: http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/01/25/higher-bar-for-new-state-taxes-and-fees-wins-support-in-house/