Floridians!!!

[Buzz Mills]

Please read this article and then contact you local reps to help Stop this movement ASAP!

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/082907/met_195414431.shtml

More than 3,000 prisoners statewide could see their sentences shortened under plans submitted to the House Safety & Security Council, which was meeting on the second of three days legislators set aside for committees to review proposed state budget cuts. Florida faces a $2.5 billion deficit because of lower-than-expected revenue over the next fiscal year.

State Corrections Secretary James McDonough laid out four proposals built around the general concept of easing low-risk prisoners back into society earlier than planned if they are already near the end of their sentences and have demonstrated good behavior. Violent and sexual offenders would be ineligible, and the changes would still allow inmates to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences as state law requires.

McDonough's favored proposal is to ease the state's work-release rules, allowing inmates to stay out of state custody at night if they are already working in the community during the day and are approaching the end of their sentences anyway. In exchange, the inmates would be required to report weekly, and a small increase in probation officers could provide stricter supervision.

RR, it's a nationwide problem. Most states still have residual budget problems, and in an attempt to alleviate some of these financial difficulties, most states have taken to early release, of so-called non-violent offenders (better defined as really unsavory characters who haven't YET, based on what they were arrested for, severely hurt anyone during their criminal actions; but please don't get in their way). If you think that is bad, the State of California has built new larger prisons, but can't afford to operate them because the ever so powerful California Corrections Officer's Union, which includes the California Highway Patrol, and many California Police Forces, won't allow these, out in the boonies, facilities, to be operated by corrections personnel who earn less than the average $100,000 a year that they do. Californians are being held up for more money to control, and house, the criminals, by the very people we have hired to protect us from the law breaking criminals. Is there any wonder why some people feel that unions are detrimental to our health.

 

[Glow]

Forgiven!!!

Its the truth! Historically Florida is a more transient state.
It should be noted however... that the majority of these criminals are not from Florida!
Also Florida has huge drug problems because it is mostly surrounded by water making it an ideal place for drug lords to land their drugs!

BTW I am still waiting for that large bail of money to float up onto the beach:angel:

The year round warm climate contributes greatly to the transient factor.

 

[BarnGoddess]

Question: Has anyone raised the possibility of initiating a state income tax? I know Florida is a good place to live. No income tax, good homestead exemption. Florida is one of seven states with no income tax. Historically, it depended greatly on tourists to pay taxes on rooms, gambling at tracks, etc. Nevada depends on the casinos for revenue.

Colorado's personal tax follows Federal guidelines and based on your Federal taxable income, most people pay from this line 5%. Any reason Florida can't earn a little revenue from this, or would there be a massive protest?

 

[GlitchWizard]

I certainly hope NOT!

Question: Has anyone raised the possibility of initiating a state income tax? I know Florida is a good place to live. No income tax, good homestead exemption. Florida is one of seven states with no income tax. Historically, it depended greatly on tourists to pay taxes on rooms, gambling at tracks, etc. Nevada depends on the casinos for revenue.

Colorado's personal tax follows Federal guidelines and based on your Federal taxable income, most people pay from this line 5%. Any reason Florida can't earn a little revenue from this, or would there be a massive protest?

 

[BarnGoddess]

I certainly hope NOT!

Why not? Leave it up to the next guy to pay? When there is a shortfall in revenue, not only do you look at cutting expenses, but ways to increase your income.

 

[Amraann]

Question: Has anyone raised the possibility of initiating a state income tax? I know Florida is a good place to live. No income tax, good homestead exemption. Florida is one of seven states with no income tax. Historically, it depended greatly on tourists to pay taxes on rooms, gambling at tracks, etc. Nevada depends on the casinos for revenue.

Colorado's personal tax follows Federal guidelines and based on your Federal taxable income, most people pay from this line 5%. Any reason Florida can't earn a little revenue from this, or would there be a massive protest?

There WOULD be a MASSIVE PROTEST!!


Glitch the programmers I was referring to are typically outsourced companies. Someone comes along and sells them on something that sounds grand and techno savy! But in reality its not functional for what its used for.

 

[GlitchWizard]

Why not? Leave it up to the next guy to pay? When there is a shortfall in revenue, not only do you look at cutting expenses, but ways to increase your income.

Because I disagree with how they are spending the money they already have. I'm not interested in flushing my money down the toilet when they refuse to give State workers even cost of living increases. So, no, I don't want the next guy to pay, I want them to stop wasting the money they do have.

 

[GlitchWizard]

There WOULD be a MASSIVE PROTEST!!


Glitch the programmers I was referring to are typically outsourced companies. Someone comes along and sells them on something that sounds grand and techno savy! But in reality its not functional for what its used for.

Oh, but if it were the programmers that would be one thing - but it's the non-programmer bosses who approve purchase orders and if they'd only consult the programmers, they'd be much better off! Purchasing according to the lowest bidder is a bad idea.

 

[sherri79]

That would not be wise since the state parks are one of the few state agency's that actually bring money into the state fund.

Closing them 3 days a week would have little impact on the cost of running them as they would still require maintainence weather people are visiting or not.

Many state park cost 1/3 the cost to run of what they bring in.

that all depends on what park we are talking about. i took my kids to many over the summer. Fort Clinch had had maybe 30 people there on a week day. Yellow Bluff Fort State Park had 1 other family.Fort George Island had a few people less than 20 with me and my 2 kids i would guess. Little Talbot Island was packed on a week day and even better on the weekend. my point is you can cut a little here and there. i love to take my kids to the parks. give me the choice of a park or more bad guys on the street and i'll give up a few parks. take my kids to the park on thursday instead of monday or have the guy who robbed my house get out early... i know what i would rather have.

 

[RiverRat]

Thank you for all of the replies. My one and only concern is for the future victims that are guaranteed only pain in their future. Is it going to be me? Amraan? GW? One of our family members? One of our friends? A co-worker? A neighbor?

Yes it is. These odds can't be beat.

The Early Release CRISIS that we suffered though in the late 80's through the late 90's is one that still affects many I know. The Victims in this State - that would not have been turned into victims had their offender not been released before their time was fully served -banded together and changed the law in order to protect ourselves when the governement would not do it for us. And now a mere decade later, the politicians want to undo this. :banghead:

Charlie Christ did not write the STOP Law as erroniously stated in the article but he was our sponsor in the Senate when the Bill passed. Charlie was very instrumental in passing many laws relating to public safety, so I have some faith that money will be found to handle this situation.....but trust me - I know the power of a public out-cry so if you do have a moment to pick up the phone or pop a letter off, for your own sake, I am begging you to.