September 24, 2007

ISSUE 1185

GOV. CRIST PROPOSES RAISING CITRUS SERVICE CHARGE

Gov. Charlie Crist told citrus industry leaders at a Sept. 19 Florida Citrus Commission meeting that, due to budget shortfalls, he is considering raising the annual "service charge" levied against citrus tax revenue.

Money raised by the service charge goes into the general revenue fund, which pays for education and other basic services.

The governor’s proposal would increase the charge from 3.3 percent to eight percent and would ciphon $1.98 million from the department's current budget. The proposal totals $983.2 million toward closing the budget gap, estimated at more than $1 billion.

Members of the Florida Department of Citrus and the Florida Citrus Commission say they will fight the proposed increase.

The state’s budget shortfall arose after state officials revised tax revenue projections downward following the 2007 legislative session.

SENATORS REQUESTS FUNDING FOR SPECIALTY CROPS

AG SECRETARY JOHANNS RESIGNS

NATIONAL FOOD SAFETY LEGISLATION INTRODUCED

BENEFIT AUCTION RAISES $43,000 FOR RCMA

GOV. CRIST PROPOSES RAISING CITRUS SERVICE CHARGE

CITRUS GREENING CONFIRMED IN POLK COUNTY

UF/IFAS TO HOLD AG WORKSHOPS