Lake County Fiscal Rangers

Lake County School Impact Fees - Will Two Boards Vote to Re-instate them, or Support Builder Welfare and Waive them for another year?

Lake County, FL - Feb. 27, 2012

An Important Decision Regarding Approval or Waiver of School Impact Fees will be discussed at the Lake County School District meeting on Monday.

On Monday, the 27^th, at a 2:15 pm “Special Meeting”, the School board will vote on impact fee recommendations (see the attached agenda) to be sent to the Lake County Board, and the next day, the 28^th, the Lake County Board will decide whether to continue an existing waiver, or approve impact fees with or without the information sent by the School Board.  You can get more details on the agenda at the School Board “Board Docs” section HERE, and the Lake County Board meetings page HERE. 

This has been an ongoing issue with contention between Board members of the School District who would not vote on a recommended impact fee schedule to be sent to the County Board.  The County Board is the final approver of the School Impact Fee schedule.   Currently, a 15 month waiver passed by the County Board will expire at the end of March.  

The School Board sent a required consultant’s study to the County Board a few months ago, but without any vote recommendations whether the full fees or partial fees (which was done previously) should be charged, or the waiver should be extended another year.

The problem is that Members on both Boards have sold out to the Builder’s organizations and the Right Side of the Lake Blog, and believe that waiving impact fees to builders (both residential and commercial) was more important than maintaining a revenue source for the Schools.  The School staff estimates that the 15 month waiver cost them about $6-million in revenue, and they need the funds for other capital projects that have been deferred.  (Impact fees can only be spent on capital projects and not maintenance, salaries, supplies, etc.).    I will let the school staff at the meeting describe exactly what the funds can be used for, but I do know they have a backlog of capital projects, which could include rebuilding some 50 year old schools (?).   It would be much simpler if the funds could be spent for any purpose like maintenance, but stupid Florida and local laws are too restrictive on how funds from specific sources can be spent (which is another major problem).

County Board members have complained that the School Board needs to go on the record with a formal vote on their recommendation, rather than just saying “a consensus is there is no consensus”.

So, as the attached agenda says, they will VOTE on a recommended impact fee rate or waiver on Monday, and the Lake County Board will then use that information to make the final decision on the School impact fee rates, or waive it again.    My belief is there are too many Board members in the pocket of the Homebuilders and Developers, and when they vote to take revenues away from schools to subsidize builders (i.e. builder welfare), then they should have a plan to REPLACE that revenue stream with another source, and there is no such plan.  The builders and their Board supporters only talk about reducing impact fees without an alternative replacement of the revenues for the Schools.

One way would be to continue the recommended school impact fees, reduced to 64% of the consultant’s recommendations until another revenue source is activated to replace the impact fee revenues. 

And, before making a decision, the County Board should get a full presentation from the School District staff and Board on the way schools are financed so they understand the full picture. This should be scheduled for the Lake County Board meeting on the 28^th.    They should NOT delay or dilute the process by forwarding the issue to the County CFAC committee because information may get lost or filtered through that committee, or any summary report might be poorly written and exclude important factors.  

 

Thus, if you see any School Board members refuse to approve impact fees, even at a discount, then you know they are avoiding their Board responsibility to ensure continued school funding in order to make a political decision.  This decision should be made whether you think the schools are efficient or not – their revenues are decreasing from many sources, and impact fees should not be dropped without a replacement revenue source. 

vj

Vance Jochim

Lake County Fiscal Rangers

Chief Fiscal Watchdog

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Florida Becomes Haven for Illegal Immigrants Due to Crackdowns in Other States

Not long ago, we wrote about the tougher, Arizona style anti-illegal immigrant laws being passed in other states while Florida did nothing.  We commented that illegals will move to Florida.

Sure enough, here is an article discussing the same point. 

The same worked for welfare or works for Medicaid.  Some states are tough and don't subsidize welfare or Medicaid and the people who seek those entitlements move to the states that do not.  I lived in California, which subsidized welfare so much that they attracted many people who only wanted to live on the fattest welfare checks they could find.

Now, Florida, but not enacting regulations to restrict rights of illegal aliens, may attract illegals who no long can work in some other states.

Read and then ask your legislators why they caved to the agriculture and other businesses that WANT illegal aliens as cheap labor and resisted illegal immigrantion control reforms.

vj

http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/neighbors-crack-down-illegals-florida-becomes-sanctuary?utm_source=constantcontact&utm_medium=email&utm_term=readmore&utm_campaign=062011

As Neighbors Crack Down on Illegals, Florida Becomes 'Sanctuary'

Supreme Court upholds E-Verify and states pass tougher immigration laws

While Florida failed to approve an E-Verify bill this year, all of its neighboring states and even Congress are moving forward with immigration laws.

Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi have passed tough E-Verify laws requiring employers to use the federal database to check the legal status of newly hired workers.

"Florida is a peninsula surrounded by water and states with mandatory E-Verify laws," said George Fuller, a Florida-based immigration activist.

More states may be emboldened to enact E-Verify statutes since the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Arizona's requirement last month. The court ruled

Georgia Passes Arizona Style Regulations to Curb Illegal Immigration

The big issue here is that Georgia's new law mandates that businesses with 10 or more employees must use the E-Verify system to confirm the legal immigration status of employees.

Here in Lake County, I noticed that the Lake County Government recently modified some Federal contracts to mandage usage of E-verify.  It was done quietly using the "consent agenda" and the County and State still do not require it.  But, if they are using Federal funds for a project, they are required to use it.

Note:  This article is from a Marietta, Georga newspaper, thus it also discusses "Cobb" county aspects of the new law.

Favorite quote:

"Taxpayer-subsidized, black market labor is only cheap for employers. It's a huge expense for the nation," King said. Moreover, to threaten a state boycott for simply enforcing the law is extortion, he said.

Golick said the radical left sought to demonize him and the bill's supporters at every turn as they worked to pass the bill.

"They continue to be oblivious to the fact that law-abiding citizens bitterly resent those who break our laws to get here, and then have the nerve to demand public benefits as if they're entitled to them - and then call us racists and everything else under the sun when we choose to live under the rule of law," Golick said.

Both Golick and King said the tactics of the opposition only reinforced the resolve to pass the bill.

"There's nobody I'd like to thank more than Jerry Gonzalez, his organization, GALEO, the ACLU and the rest of the open-borders race baiters for their rallies with thousands of screaming illegals chanting in a foreign language in front of the Georgia Capitol, which served to propel our legislation through the process," King said.

vj

================================================================

Cobb Republicans helped pass illegal immigration bill

by Jon Gillooly
jgillooly@mdjonline.com

April 19, 2011 12:00 AM | 546 views | 0  | 3  |  | 

SMYRNA - State Rep. Rich Golick (R-Smyrna), a co-sponsor of the controversial new immigration bill awaiting Gov. Nathan Deal's signature, said the measure represents a giant step forward in enforcing the laws against illegal immigrants.

The most significant provision in the bill is the requirement that private business use the federal E-Verify system to confirm the legal status of employees, he said.

Specifically, businesses with 10 or more employees must sign an affidavit swearing to use E-Verify to obtain or renew a business license/occupational tax certificate. Until now, only public employers such as the City of Marietta and their contractors were required to use E-Verify on newly hired employees.

The bill also clarifies the authority of local law enforcement by allowing them to inquire into a suspect's immigration status when that suspect is under investigation for another crime.

Golick said under no circumstance would police be able to simply inquire about someone's immigration status at the officer's discretion. Rather, only when an officer has probable cause to believe the individual has committed another crime, and the individual is unable to produce proper identification can the officer attempt to establish the immigration status of the individual. Golick said that provision is a significant and strengthening distinction from the Arizona law.

"Georgia has more illegal aliens than the state of Arizona, and my understanding is that recently released Census figures indicate that the state with the fastest rate of growth of illegal aliens over the past decade was Georgia," Golick said. "This has had a draining effect on our dwindling resources, especially given the economic recession."

State Rep. David Wilkerson (D-Austell) said his primary reason for voting against the bill is that immigration is a federal issue. Then there is the point that similar legislation in Arizona is caught up in the court system.

"Until the Arizona case makes its way through the court, I think we're just opening ourselves up to some huge legal bills," Wilkerson said.

To Wilkerson's first point, Golick said the federal government has consistently failed on the issue of immigration reform, making it inevitable that states would step in.

Like Wilkerson, Golick expects there to be lawsuits.

"To be sure, there will be litigation, but we have worked with our friend, Attorney General Sam Olens, on this issue every step of the way, and we are confident of our position," Golick said.

Wilkerson said another concern is that Georgia's economy relies on agriculture, which will be hit by the law when police begin demanding to see immigration papers of workers in that field.

"Police officers are expected to basically question anyone they think might be here illegally," Wilkerson said.

Wilkerson said that's not only going to chill the migrant worker population, but he expects it will impact the hospitality industry as various groups boycott the state.

"We might have moved down a few notches as far as attraction. Too many groups feel like it's not something that should be done," Wilkerson said.

But anti-illegal immigration activist D.A. King said there's no excuse for allowing illegal immigration.

"Taxpayer-subsidized, black market labor is only cheap for employers. It's a huge expense for the nation," King said. Moreover, to threaten a state boycott for simply enforcing the law is extortion, he said.

Golick said the radical left sought to demonize him and the bill's supporters at every turn as they worked to pass the bill.

"They continue to be oblivious to the fact that law-abiding citizens bitterly resent those who break our laws to get here, and then have the nerve to demand public benefits as if they're entitled to them - and then call us racists and everything else under the sun when we choose to live under the rule of law," Golick said.

Both Golick and King said the tactics of the opposition only reinforced the resolve to pass the bill.

"There's nobody I'd like to thank more than Jerry Gonzalez, his organization, GALEO, the ACLU and the rest of the open-borders race baiters for their rallies with thousands of screaming illegals chanting in a foreign language in front of the Georgia Capitol, which served to propel our legislation through the process," King said.

Of Cobb's 19-member delegation, all of the Republicans except Bobby Franklin, of east Cobb, voted for House Bill 87, known as the Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011. All of the Democrats except Terry Johnson, of Marietta, voted against the bill.

From:  http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/12840744/article-Cobb-Republicans-helped-pass-illegal-immigration-bill?instance=secondary_story_left_column 

 

 

Illegal Immigration News Roundup - Updated Feb. 23, 2011

This is a continuously updated roundup of news about the issues caused by illegal immigration around the USA.  Knowing about them will keep Lake County residents informed about what could be happening here:

These are the newest updates and additions - most recent is on top:

6. Feb. 23, 2011 - Fort Worth, TX-  state Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham has initiated a Texas State bill that would require local law enforcement to dump illegal aliens captured during the day on the doorstep of the nearest US Congressman's office.   It probably won't pass, but indicates the frustration with illegal immigration in US / Mexico border states over the lack of action by Congress.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/02/22/2869133/putting-the-results-of-the-lack.html 

 

These are older posts

1.  Accomac, MD - Jan. 30, 2011  - An illegal immigrant without car insurance crashed his car into another one and ran from the scene.  He was caught later and jailed.  Fortunately, no one was hurt but both cars were damaged.  The Immigration service put a hold on him for deportation hearings once his sentence is completed.   Read it here.

2. Workplace Raids Supported by GOP - There is a new emphasis on raiding EMPLOYERS and putting the pressure on them to reduce hiring of illegal immigrants.  In the past, many employers resisted controls over their hiring because they wanted cheap labor, and the GOP went along.  But now, it seems that public anger of the effects of illegal immigrants is increasing, so the GOP is swinging back to employer oversight on immigration regulations.   Read the article HERE in the LA Times - it was also in the Orlando Sentinel and many other papers.

3. Washington Post Feb. 12, 2011 - Enforcement by some states of illegal immigration laws is spurring the illegal immigrants to move to other states.  Will that be Florida?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/12/AR2011021203444.html  

4. Added Feb 17, 2011:  US Targets 1,000 More Companies in Finding Illegal Workers

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-17/u-s-targets-1-000-more-companies-in-pursuit-of-illegal-workers.html 

5. Feb. 20, 2011 - New Jersey College Trustees vote to allow illegal immigrants to attend college and pay same as legal residents - this is an editorial with some rather good points:

http://blog.nj.com/njv_george_berkin/2011/02/college_flunks_test_by_enrolli.html 

 

 

vj

NumbersUSA.org - A perspective on justifying illegal immigrants into the USA

You have to see this video if you want to understand the immigration problem and effect on world poverty.  It give you a new perspective on the justification to allow more illegal or legal immigrants into the US.

So when someone says we should let illegal immigrants in, or be citizens, remember this...and the harm it does to existing citizens...

Watch it.

6 minutes.

http://numbersusa.org/   

vj

Missouri's Aggresive Immigration controls reduce illegal alien count drastically...

Here is the full article about preventing the growth of illegal aliens in a State - Florida should adopt these practices... two different friends sent me this at different times.

AND, on the same subject of illegal immigration, Colorado's "Republican Study Committee of Colorado"  just had a six hour summit on the problem and stated that illegal immigration is costing Colorado taxpayers about $1.5-billion and must be addressed.  One speaker said a majority of the costs were related to the care and education for the children of illegal immigrants.   Read the article HERE.

vj

Missouri has NO illegal Aliens.

AMERICA... LISTEN UP & TAKE HEED!
 
 Missouri has NO illegal Aliens....(THIS IS TRUE)  Interesting:  SCROLL TO BOTTOM TO VISIT IMPORTANT CONFIRMATION LINK AND AWESOME COMMENTS!!!

Missouri's approach to the problem of illegal immigration appears to be more advanced,
sophisticated, strict and effective than anything to date in  Arizona .

Do the loonies in San Francisco, or the White House, appreciate what Missouri has done?
When are our fearless President and his dynamic Attorney General going to take action to
require  Missouri start accepting illegal immigrants once again?
 
So, why doesn't  Missouri receive attention?
 
Answer: There are no Mexican illegals in Missouri to demonstrate.
 
The "Show Me" state has once again shown us how it should be done.

There needs to be more publicity and exposure regarding what  Missouri
has done.
 
Let's pass it around.
 
    In 2007,  Missouri placed on the ballot a proposed constitutional amendment designating English as the official language of Missouri.
    In November, 2008, nearly 90% voting in favor! Thus English became the official language for ALL governmental activity in Missouri.
    No individual has the right to demand government services in a language
OTHER than English.
 
    In 2008 a measure was passed that required the Missouri Highway Patrol and other law enforcement officials to verify the immigration status of any person arrested, and inform federal authorities if the person is found to be in Missouri illegally. Missouri law enforcement offices receive specific training with respect to enforcement of federal immigration laws.

    In Missouri, illegal immigrants do NOT have access to taxpayers benefits such as food stamps and health care through Missouri HealthNET.
    In 2009 a measure was passed that ensures  Missouri's public institutions of higher education do NOT award financial aid to individuals who are illegally in the United States.
    In  Missouri all post-secondary institutions of higher education to annually certify to the Missouri Dept. of Higher Education that they have NOT knowingly awarded financial aid to students who are unlawfully present in the United States.

 
   So while  Arizona has made national news for its new law, it is important to remember, Missouri has been far more proactive in addressing this horrific problem.

    Missouri has made it clear that illegal immigrants are NOT welcome in the state and they will certainly NOT receive public benefits at the expense of  Missouri taxpayers.
DON'T JUST DELETE THIS AMERICA... KEEP IT GOING UNTIL WE GET ALL 50 STATES TO COMPLY!!!

Here is the link to confirm:  Be sure to read the readers comments too. http://www.ozarkssentinel.com/missouri-ahead-of-the-game-in-dealing-with-illegal-immigrants-p1034.htm <http://www.ozarkssentinel.com/missouri-ahead-of-the-game-in-dealing-with-illegal-immigrants-p1034.htm>

  Taken from:  "The Ozarks Sentinel"  Editorial - Nita Jane  Ayres,   May 13, 2010 .
If the link does not work, just type in "The Ozarks Sentinel - Nita Jane Ayres" in Google.  

Master List of Countries that Offer Birthright citizenship to Babies of Tourists & Illegal Aliens

HERE ARE ALL THE DEVELOPED NATIONS OF THE WORLD THAT OFFER BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP TO THE BABIES OF TOURISTS AND ILLEGAL ALIENS United States       Pictured at left is a baby of an illegal alien that currently would only be eligible for citizenship in the US. That's right, every other modern Developed nation in the world has gotten rid of birthright citizenship policies.  Folks, the U.S. Stands alone. There used to be all kinds of Developed countries that gave away their citizenship as freely as we do in the U.S. But one by one they all have recognized the folly of that policy.  SOME MODERN COUNTRIES THAT RECENTLY ENDED THEIR BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP POLICY: Canada was the last non-U.S. Holdout. Illegal aliens stopped getting citizenship for their babies in 2009. Australia's birthright citizenship requirements are much more stringent than those of H.R. 1868 and took effect in 2007. New Zealand repealed in 2006 Ireland repealed in 2005 France repealed in 1993 India repealed in 1987 United Kingdom repealed in 1983 Portugal repealed in 1981 The United States is the laughing stock of the modern world. Only the U.S. Values its citizenship so lowly as to distribute it promiscuously to the off-spring of foreign citizens visiting Disney World on tourist visas and to foreign citizens who have violated their promises on their visitor, work and student visas to stay illegally in the country, as well as to those who sneak across our borders or visit from outer space.

Just Think, if the tourists on the space craft at left landed at DisneyWorld and had a baby, it would be a US citizen, but, if we landed on their planet and had a baby, would they extend citizenship to our baby?   

And, notice the list above does NOT mention Mexico - probably because they NEVER allowed non-citizens to have babies in Mexico with citizenship rights.

Thanks to my buddy Don for sending this.  (And, I don't know his source for the data, but in this case, I don't care!)

vj

Illegal Immigrants in Kansas cost their taxpayers $442-million

A Kansas Watchdog group provided a summary of a report on the cost of illegal immigrants in Kansas, and reported they cost Kansas taxpayers $442-million.  And that is a state that has nowhere the high percent of illegal immigrants that Florida does.

Here is a good quote which is probably the same situation in Florida:

"Officials from several State agencies told us that although they have the authority to ask program participants if they are here legally, they generally don’t ask. For example, because the Department of Education is required to provide education services regardless of the child’s immigration status, they don’t inquire about students’ legal status."

My main suggestion to help identify the true cost of illegal immigrants is to demand of elected officials that they establish policies (i.e. in the School District, County government, Elections Dept, etc) to mandate that staff identify illegal immigrants, and then track the added costs for them, not only just... 

Rhode Island State Police Get Tough & Report ANY Illegal Immigrant to ICE for possible Deportation

It seems Arizona gets most of the press these days about illegal immigration regulations, but in the State of Rhode Island, the head of the State Police has his troopers reporting and deporting ANY illegal immigrant they find during traffic stops, etc.  The article below contrasts that practice with nearby Massachussets, which only... 

Cost of Illegal Immigrants from a California Teacher Working in a Title 1 School

This is close to what I saw when I lived in California until I moved to Florida in 2006.

One certain way to identify the impact of this problem in Florida is to require ALL government agencies, including schools, to track actual, additional costs to support illegal immigrants and all the social programs that support them.  The costs should be tracked as a separate program, even if it involves multiple funding sources.

vj

From a School Teacher in California:

CHEAP TOMATOES

    900 teachers just got laid off from the  Los Angeles   Unified   School District  .  They are $650,000 over their annual budget.  The following English teacher helps to explain one area that looms large over  California 's educational crisis.

    I hope each person receiving this mail will read it carefully all the way to the end. It is sad what is happening to our great country all because our politicians are afraid they will miss out on a vote. What a travesty!

        This English teacher has phrased it the best I've seen yet.

    This should make everyone think, be you Democrat, Republican or Independent
    From a California school teacher - - -

    "As you listen to the news about the student protests over illegal immigration, there are some things that you should be aware of:
    I am in charge of the English-as-a-second-language department at a large southern  California  high school which is designated a Title 1 school, meaning that its students average lower socioeconomic
    and income levels

    Most of the schools you are hearing about, South Gate High, Bell Gardens , Huntington Park , etc.., where these students are protesting, are also Title 1 schools.

    Title 1 schools are on the free breakfast and free lunch program. When I say free breakfast, I'm not talking a glass of milk and roll -- but a full breakfast and cereal bar with fruits and juices that would make a Marriott proud. The waste of this food is monumental, with trays and trays of it being dumped in the trash uneaten.
    (OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK)

    I estimate that well over 50% of these students are obese or at least moderately overweight. About 75% or more DO have cell phones. The school also provides day care centers for theunwed teenage pregnant girls (some as young as 13) so they can attend class without the inconvenience of having to arrange for babysitters or having family watch their kids.
    (OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK)

    I was ordered to spend $700,000 on my department or risk losing
    funding for the upcoming year even though there was little need for anything; my budget was already substantial. I ended up buying new computers for the computer learning center, half of which, one month later, have been carved with graffiti by the appreciative students who obviously feel humbled and grateful to have a free education in  America  ..
    (OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK)

    I have had to intervene several times for young and substitute teachers whose classes consist of many illegal immigrant students here in the country less than 3 months who raised so much hell with the female teachers, calling them "Putas" (whores ) and throwing things, that the teachers were in tears.

    Free medical, free education, free food, day care, etc., etc, etc.  Is it any wonder they feel entitled not only to be in this country but to demand rights, privileges and entitlements?

    To those who want to point out how much these illegal immigrants contribute to our society because they LIKE their gardener and housekeeper and they like to pay less for tomatoes: spend some time in the real world of illegal immigration and see the TRUE costs.

    Higher insurance, medical facilities closing, higher medical costs, more crime, lower standards of education in our schools, overcrowding, new diseases etc., etc, etc. For me, I'll pay more for tomatoes.

    Americans, We need to wake up. The guest worker program will be a disaster because we won't have the guts to enforce it. Does anyone in their right mind really think they will voluntarily leave and return?

    It does, however, have everything to do with culture: A third-world culture that does not value education, that accepts children getting pregnant and dropping out of school by 15 and that refuses to assimilate, and an American culture that has become so weak and worried about "political correctness " that we don't have the will to do anything about it.

    If this makes your blood boil, as it did mine, forward this to everyone you know including your Congressmen and Senators.

    CHEAP LABOR? Isn't that what the whole immigration issue is about?

    Business doesn't want to pay a decent wage.

    Consumers don't want expensive produce.

    Government will tell you Americans don't want the jobs.

    But the bottom line is cheap labor. The phrase "cheap labor" is a myth ,
     a farce, and a lie. There is no such thing as "cheap labor."

    Take, for example, an illegal alien with a wife and five children. He takes a job for
    $5.00 or 6.00/hour. At that wage, with six dependents, he pays no
     income tax, yet at the end of the year, if he files an Income Tax Return,
     he gets an "earned income credit" of up to $3,200 free.

    He qualifies for Section 8 housing and subsidized rent.

    He qualifies for food stamps..

    He qualifies for free (no deductible),
    no co-pay) health care.

    His children get free breakfasts and lunches at school.

    He requires bilingual teachers and books.

    He qualifies for relief from high energy bills...

    If they are or become, aged, blind or disabled , they qualify for SSI.
     Once qualified for SSI they can qualify for Medicare .   All of this is at
    (our) taxpayer's expense .

    He doesn't worry about car insurance, life insurance, or homeowners insurance.

    Taxpayers provide Spanish language signs, bulletins and printed material.

    He and his family receive the equivalent of $20.00 to $30.00/hour in benefits.

    Working Americans
    are lucky to have $5.00 or $6.00/hour left after paying their bills AND his.

    The American taxpayers also pay for increased crime, graffiti and trash clean-up.

    Cheap labor? YEAH RIGHT! Wake up people!

    THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS WE SHOULD BE ADDRESSING TO THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES FOR EITHER PARTY. 'AND WHEN THEY LIE TO US AND DON'T DO AS THEY SAY, WE SHOULD REPLACE THEM AT ONCE!'