October 1996

Sugar Tax Upheld

The Florida Supreme Court has upheld the placement of three proposed amendments to the Constitution on the November ballot that are intended to fund the cleanup of the Florida Everglades.

Amendment #4 imposes a 1¢ per pound tax on raw sugar grown in the Everglades Agricultural Area; #5 provides that those in the Agricultural Area who cause water pollution are primarily responsible for paying for the costs of pollution abatement; and, #6 establishes the Everglades Trust Fund, which will be administered by the SFWMD.

Political observers believe that the media effort for and against the sugar tax will easily be the most expensive campaign in Florida's history. TV ad space has been booked so far in advance that it is expected to effect availability of that type of advertising for persons seeking elected office this November.