Children's Services Council Bill Advances in Senate

Despite a death in the House and public opposition from its sponsor's home district, a proposal that allows residents to vote on whether to close or continue a Children's Services Council with special taxing authority is continuing to gain ground in the Senate.

Sen. Joe Negron's bill to call for a public referendum vote every six years on the existence of one of the councils was passed by Republicans on the Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee Monday. The bill concentrates on the eight state councils that fund themselves by levying property taxes on their local populaces.

Negron, R-Palm City, has come under fire in in his Republican-dominated district. The bill has instigated a possible challenge to Negron's reelection in November, multiple columns arguing against it in Treasure Coast newspapers and a public outcry from childrens services advocates. The House version of the bill died after a committee tie vote.

"The vast majority of the people in my district support it, and, second of all, I'm focused on the Senate right now," Negron said. "I'm not focused on the House."

Negron has promoted the bill as a way for voters to weigh in on whether to continue paying extra property taxes. Opponents, such as Boca Raton Sen. Eleanor Sobel, the lone Democrat present on the committee Monday, say the bill is not needed.