How legislature decisions affect you
by Michael C. Bender | May 9th, 2009The state budget was in a $6 billion hole this year, and legislators for the first time in years are turning to a new source of income: you. On Friday, they passed the budget and wrapped up another session. Here are some of the ways what they did will affect your bottom line:
$1-a-pack increase in cigarette taxes, up to $1.34 a pack.
Bright Futures cut: The scholarship will no longer offer a free ride. Students will pay for tuition increases starting in the fall, which will be at least 8 percent, some schools as high as 15 percent.
School boards allowed to raise property tax rates by 25 cents for every $1,000 of assessed value to help pay for operations. The owner of a $300,000 house would pay $75 more. After two school years, voters must approve the increase.
Court fees:
Fees on driving, tags:
Property tax breaks for first-time home buyers and non-homesteads (both in same amendment). (SJR 532)
Where's the money? Use The Post's interactive database of who wants and who's getting federal dollars.
Use these interactive graphics to find and contact Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast legislators.
Sentenced to die for crimes judged heinous and cruel, inmates await execution in a 9 feet by 6 feet cell.
