PBC Taxpayer Action Board Update
TAB Members,
The most significant news this week (other than the Vinson ruling on Obamacare and the Egyptian uprising) has got to be Governor Rick Scott's proposed overhaul of the Florida Retirement System (FRS). With a requirement for a 5% contribution by plan participants, a 33% reduction in the accrual rate for "special risk" classes, and elimination of DROP and the 3% COLA, it is sure to be controversial. TAB has modified our "Legislative Wish List" accordingly. Read about it HERE. A report from the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (oppaga) makes good background reading on FRS options and implications. (click HERE)
Also in the past week, the County Commission has set the rules for the upcoming Charter Reviews, held an off-site retreat about the next 5 years and the upcoming budget, and met with the county Legislative Delegation. Read the TAB analysis of these meetings in the links below.
For those of you who are following the drafting of the Ethics and IG Ordinances for the cities, the next public meeting is at the Vista Center on February 9 at 2:00pm. The League of Cities representatives would like to limit the role of the Inspector General. Whichever side of this debate you find yourself, you may want to attend this meeting (or watch on channel 20). For more information on the subject, visit ethicspbc.com
Thank you for your interest in responsible government spending.
The TAB Team
TAB Legislative Wish-List – an Update
By: PBCTAB
02/02/2011
Since we published our "Legislative Wish List" last month, the outlook for the coming session has come into focus. Two of the 4 items appear to be off the table, while one of them - FRS reform, has been exceeded by the just announced proposal by Governor Scott. Here is an update. FRS Reform We... [Read More...]
FRS Pension Reform Options and their Possible Savings
By: PBCTAB
01/28/2011
The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (oppaga) published a report a year ago, laying out options and their savings for reforming FRS. In light of possible legislative action in this area, it is a good primer on the system, its history, and how it could be changed. CLICK... [Read More...]
Joint BCC / Legislative Delegation Workshop
By: PBCTAB
01/28/2011
This morning (1/28), the Palm Beach County Commission and staff met with 9 of the 18 members of the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation. Present were Senators Lizbeth Benacquisto (R, FS27) and Maria Sachs (D, FS30), Representative (and delegation chair) Joseph Abruzzo (D, FH85), Steve Perman (D,... [Read More...]
Try out our NEW interactive District Map
By: PBCTAB
01/28/2011
Ever wonder to what distirict a particular neighborhood or street belongs? The county website maps can help, but they don't show all streets. TAB now provides a fully interactive Google Map of the county, that shows the district lines, and may be zoomed in or out. Clicking on a location brings up... [Read More...]
County Commission Holds Off-Site Retreat
By: PBCTAB
01/26/2011
At Newcomb Hall in the Riviera Beach Marina today, County Commissioners sat in an open circle with Administrator Bob Weisman and County Attorney Denise Neiman. In this casual setting, they got to know each other better, discussed priorities for the next 5 years in the morning, and previewed the coming... [Read More...]