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<br />Florida League of Cities' Priorities <br /> <br />Charter County Relations <br />The Florida League of Cities will support legislation that restores and <br />maintains municipal Home Rule authority for municipalities located within <br />charter counties. <br /> <br />Municipalities are voluntary forms of government formed specifically to <br />serve the unique needs and characteristics of a communiry, following a vote <br />of the people. Municipalities possess full Home Rule authority under the <br />Florida Constitution to exercise governmental, regulatory and proprietary <br />powers to serve the needs of their residents. Preemption of municipal Home <br />Rule authority by other forms oflocal government undermines the will of <br />voters who elected to incorporate. Such actions are essentially taking away <br />municipal powers and transferring them to a larger, regional government. <br /> <br />Charter counties throughout Florida are attempting to take over municipal <br />land-use and annexation powers, municipal permitting responsibilities and <br />urban redevelopment initiatives. These charter counry effOrts are undermin- <br />ing the decisions of voters in cities, towns and villages throughout Florida <br />to govern themselves. It is imperative that the Florida Legislature protect <br />the fundamental right of citizens to have voluntary local self-government by <br />preventing counry government intrusion into municipal Home Rule. <br /> <br />Affordable Housing <br />The Florida League of Cities will support legislation that preserves the dedi- <br />cated documentary stamp fees as a funding source for the State and Local <br />Government Housing Trust Fund (Sadowski Trust Fund) and eliminates the <br />cap placed on fund distribution, and will oppose any funds being diverted <br />to the General Appropriations Fund. <br /> <br />Property Tax Reform <br />The Florida League of Cities supports a tax structure that is fair and equi- <br />table, is competitively neutral and allows municipalities the flexibiliry to <br />provide adequate services in their communities. In addition, the League <br />supports simplifying and stabilizing Florida's state and local revenue struc- <br />ture in a manner that provides tax fairness for both businesses and citizens <br />of our state. As such, the Florida League of Cities will support legislation <br />that: <br /> <br />@ <br />