In a unanimous decision issued last week, the Florida Supreme Court upheld a Circuit Court's decision to remove Amendment 5 from the November general election ballot along with Amendments 7 and 9. In an earlier judgment, Circuit Court Judge John Cooper ruled that the Amendment 5 summary prepared for voters was confusing and might mislead voters on the potential impact on school funding. The $8 billion "tax swap" amendment would have eliminated most school taxes paid by property owners (roughly 25% statewide). Some estimates placed the cut as high as $11 billion by 2010 when the amendment would have taken effect. In an attempt to make up the school funding shortfall, legislators had options to raise the state's 6-cent sales tax, close sales tax exemptions and cut state services. Amendment analysts cast doubt as to whether the legislature could realistically fill such a large funding gap with the options before them. Opponents of the amendment also pointed out that the amendment only required legislators to make up the difference in the first year. Following last week's decision, the Supreme Court Justices indicated they would not consider requests for a re-hearing. The hearing on Amendment 5 was bumped up to ensure a ruling was issued before counties starting printing their Nov. 4 ballots. See a sample of news clips about the Supreme Court's decision from across the state:

• The Lucky Governor
• Court does us big favor
• Ballot items rightly removed
• State supreme court was right to toss out three flawed amendments
• High court axes three key amendments
• Real tax reform needed

Children's Trust Victory Has Ripple Effect

News of The Children's Trust reauthorization in Miami-Dade County on Aug. 26 is sparking enthusiasm at home and in communities across the state that want to invest in the future of their children. A recent editorial in Jacksonville's Florida Times-Union is one inspiring example. Read the editorial, "Try Miami funding model on the Jacksonville Journey." Also read the Op-Ed in the Miami Herald written by The Children's Trust Board Chair David Lawrence, as well as the newspaper's editorial.

Children's Board and FCSC Honor Rep. Glorioso with "Stepping Up for Children" Award

The Children's Board of Hillsborough County, together with the Florida Children's Services Council, honored Rep. Rich Glorioso (R-Hillsborough) with a legislative award during a monthly meeting of the Hillsborough Community Alliance. The award, titled "Stepping Up for Children," recognized his strong support for school readiness and foster care programs during an economically challenging 2007 legislative session. Rep. Glorioso was instrumental in passing legislation to preserve the state's independent living program for young adults aging out of foster care.

"Rep. Glorioso's leadership and perseverance over time clearly demonstrates his strong commitment to advancing the cause of all of Florida's children and their families. He has shown that he is committed to finding permanent solutions to barriers and challenges in our state," said Dr. Luanne Panacek, C.E.O. of the Children's Board of Hillsborough County. "While there is work left to be done, Rep. Glorioso has set the stage for progress and promise on many key issues."

Dr. Wil Blechman Honored by Early Education Community