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Scott Signs Property Tax Cuts Into Law

WEST PALM BEACH (CBSMiami.com) – Governor Rick Scott has signed a bill that will cut property taxes paid to state water management districts. But, while some taxpayers may get a refund, it will come at a cost in jobs.

Scott held the ceremonial signing at the South Florida Water Management District in West Palm Beach. The SFWMD is the largest water management district in the state.

The SFWMD will see their budget cut by around $130 million. That will bring the overall budget down from $1.1 billion in 2010.

"We can still function," said SFWMD chairman Joe Collins. "It's going to redirect us to really focus."

Collins would not elaborate questions on layoffs among its 1,900 workers, but did say the disrict's core duties would not be impacted by the cuts.

Scott acknowledged that there would be job losses, but said that the job losses from the public sector will be a means to stir job growth in the private sector.

Scott's office reported that the water district tax cuts would amount to: 36 percent for the Southwest Florida district; 30 percent for the South Florida district; 26 percent for the St. John's district; 8 percent for the Suwanee River district; and no change for the Northwest Florida district.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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