Tavares, FL - Oct. 27, 2011 - Hip, Hip, Hooray - The Orlando Sentinel came out with an editorial today questioning the need for taxpayer subsidized Hospital Tax Districts like the North Lake County Hospital District. Right now, execs from the hospitals are going to local service clubs, Chamber of Commerces, etc. to plead NO SUPPORT for Rep. Metz's proposal to reform the existing regulations AND require a voter referendum because they want local legislators to give them another 50 years of FREE tax funds without oversight. Read it...
I disagree, however, with the Sentinel in saying to WAIT until Governor Scott's Commission issues their report in January.
The new logo for those challenging the Hospital Tax is the pink flamingo with the "NO" circle because current regulations allow the local hospitals to spend tax funds on anything without specific oversight, even pink flamingos for the lawn.
Instead, on Nov. 9th, the Lake County Legislator's Delegation forum will meet to hear arguments for and against Rep. Metz's proposed law, and they should then support it and move the process forwared, since it takes months to get a law through the FL legislative process. If Scott decides to abolish or Sunset the Hospital Tax Districts, then the bill can be pulled.
vj