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Governor Should Veto Florida Forever Suspension

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 27, 2009

Gov. Charlie Crist is wise to be suspicious of the Legislature's plan to suspend Florida Forever funding this year. This looks to be not the temporary measure backers claim, but an effort to kill the state's highly successful land acquisition program altogether.

After all, the amount of money to be saved from the suspension of the program for the rest of the fiscal year is modest, only $4.2 million. And that money - which goes to the debt service on the bonds issued for land acquisition - would allow the state to buy more than $100 million worth of land at bargain-basement prices during the depressed real estate market.

But the legislative leaders behind this move appear to have their sights set on more than just saving $4.2 million.

As Crist aptly observes, "What concerns me is that if you start to do something one year, it takes on a repeat performance in the next year."

Indeed, Senate President Jeff Atwater's comments make it clear that the one-year suspension is likely to become permanent. He told the Tribune's Catherine Dolinski: "That debt service, of about $20 million - you can equate that to about 800 teachers. You can equate that to about 1,100 Florida Highway Patrol officers. You can equate that to about 18,000 students in voluntary pre-K."

Atwater knows that the vote only applies to the rest of the fiscal year, and saves only $4.2 million. So he obviously is thinking of killing Forever Florida's future funding. It usually costs the state about $20 million to serve the debt service on bonds issued for the program, which normally spends about $300 million a year on acquisitions.

By pitting conservation against other critical state needs, Atwater provides further evidence he and his team are setting the stage for killing Florida's most important environmental program. Crist should not let them.

A responsible government doesn't abandon its key obligations, whether education or conservation, during tough times.

This doesn't mean Florida Forever should be spared cuts. The state is likely to face at least $3.4 billion shortfall for the next fiscal year. Virtually every state program must be trimmed. Lawmakers could not be faulted for reducing the $20 million allocation next year. But they should ensure its continuation.

Florida Forever is, after all, no frill. It protects our water supplies, prevents sprawling growth that requires costly roads and other services and sustains the state's growing ecotourism industry. It saves beautiful natural places that are enjoyed by teachers, students and, no doubt, highway patrolmen.

One of the purchases that will be submarined unless Crist comes to the rescue is that of Three Sisters Springs, a magnificent system that helps feed Crystal River in Citrus County. It also is a haven for manatees. The property was once targeted for development. Local, state and federal officials have been working for years to secure enough money to make this dream purchase happen. The Legislature's move will kill that opportunity.

Forever Florida is not about simply saving trees and critters. It's about ensuring a better Florida for future generations.

Moreover, as former Gov. Bob Martinez, who initiated the original land-buying program, points out, the money from Florida Forever goes back into the economy, as landowners invest it in other ventures.

And a portion of the program is used to buy development rights on significant environmental tracts from landowners, who can continue to use the land. This provides a way to help ranchers and growers weather hard times while enabling the state to prevent development in inappropriate places.

The claim that the cut will only last one year rings hollow. Atwater and the Legislature can't be trusted on this. Crist should veto the suspension and demand future budgets include some funding for Florida Forever.

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