Le Lézard
Subject: LEG

State Amendments v. Hillsborough Referendums


HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla., Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As you receive your mail-in ballot or enter the voting booth on November 6, pay close attention to not confuse Hillsborough's Referendum 3 with Florida's Amendment 3. They are entirely different.

According to Strengthen Our Schools (SOS) (https://voteyes2sos.com), this year, there are two number threes on the ballot but only one will provide optimal learning conditions for the children of Hillsborough County Public Schools.  That is Hillsborough County Referendum No.3.

Hillsborough voters take note that Hillsborough County's Referendum No. 3 to strengthen Hillsborough County Public Schools is at the end of the ballot. The referendum would generate approximately $131 million per year that would be spent on specific projects to improve public schools. According to Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Eakins, each school in the county will benefit from this referendum.

In stark contrast, Amendment 3 is a statewide initiative, which would give voters the exclusive right to authorize casino gambling expansion across Florida. Amendment 3 has been proposed by Voters in Charge and is not associated to any extent with the issues stated in Hillsborough County's Referendum No. 3.

Funding for Hillsborough's Referendum No.3 will help repair and replace air conditioning systems, repair leaky roofs, enhance classroom technology and improve security initiatives for a safe and optimal learning environment for all students in the Hillsborough County Public School System. Additionally, this referendum seeks to fund more classroom space to address overcrowding and the enormous growth in Hillsborough County communities.  

Former Florida Commissioner of Education, Betty Castor will chair a six-member volunteer Citizen Oversight Committee comprised of private citizens and one district leader to review the spending, progress and completion of all projects funded by the referendum. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister will be serving as the Committee's Vice-Chair. The committee volunteers cannot be affiliated with the school district and cannot profit from education referendum projects.

Voters should remember the difference between Florida's Amendment 3 and Hillsborough County's Referendum No. 3., reminding everyone to "Vote from the Bottom Up" on the ballot and make a much needed and lasting investment in the children of Hillsborough County communities.

For more information about Strengthen Our Schools (SOS) and the Hillsborough County's Referendum No. 3, please visit the website at https://voteyes2sos.com

SOURCE Strengthen Our Schools



News published on and distributed by: