Fla. Voters To Decide On Conservation Amendment

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) —  Florida voters will get to decide if they want to set aside $10 billion in state funds over a length of 20 years for land and water conservation.

The group pushing the amendment has gotten enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. The state Division of Elections on Thursday reports that the amendment has gotten nearly 686,000 signatures.

Environmental groups started the amendment after the Legislature slashed spending on the Florida Forever program. The program is designed to purchase and manage environmentally endangered lands.

Florida Forever was supported by existing taxes on real estate transactions. The amendment would not raise the tax but would direct existing tax money to Everglades restoration, as well as protecting drinking water, natural lands and wildlife habitat.

The amendment needs a yes vote from 60 percent of voters to pass.

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