House Committee Votes Against Negron's Children Services Council Bill

The House companion to Sen. Joe Negron's proposal to subject Children's Services Councils to a periodic vote on their existence failed to pass its first House committee last week.

The Palm City Republican's bill would have allowed voters to decide by referendum every six years on whether to continue or close one of the state's Councils, eight of which have the authority to levy tax on residents. Negron, whose district includes councils in Martin, St. Lucie, Palm Beach and Indian River Counties, was in trouble in his home district over the bill, which has spurred passionate debate and massive public outcry.

He has pitched it as a measure that would save locals on their tax bills. Childrens services advocates said it would imperil aid for some of Negron's most vulnerable constituents.

The House Council on Military and Local Policy Affairs voted 7-7 on the bill, with two Republicans voting against it.

Is it a sign of things to come?

The bill coes up in the Senate Finance and Tax Committeee tommorow afternoon.