Tensions emerge on panel pricing class size measure

Legislators press U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, who led the initiative, to suggest how to pay for it.

By ALISA ULFERTS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 11, 2003

TALLAHASSEE -- State Sen. Tom Lee was joking -- sort of -- when he greeted U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek at a state Senate committee hearing Monday. "It's a fine mess you've gotten us into, buddy," Lee said.

The Brandon Republican heads a committee trying to figure out how to pay for the expensive class size caps that voters wrote into the state Constitution in November.

"Come on up here and tell us how much money you're going to send back to us from Congress," Lee said.

The hearing highlighted the tension between Meek, who fathered the amendment, and lawmakers, who must pay for it. Lawmakers are asking Meek for help in crafting an affordable plan to carry out the amendment, while Meek reminds lawmakers that the amendment specifically handed the bill to them.

When the senators' questions became more pointed, Meek's supporters wondered whether backers of other amendments were being asked for such specifics.

"We don't expect you to solve the puzzle for us," Lee said. "We don't expect you to have all the answers."

The debate appears to be shaping up as a battle over taxes. Gov. Jeb Bush -- who wants to cut taxes, not raise them -- sent his top lieutenants to watch Meek's testimony. House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City, also opposes raising taxes.

Meek suggests eliminating sales tax exemptions and scaling back planned tax cuts.

"Amendment 9 is the biggest threat to the special interests, fat-cat tax breaks," Meek said.

But he's not offering a hit list of exemptions.

When Sen. Alex Villalobos, R-Miami, said he wanted Meek's recommendations, Meek balked. "I'll provide you with a list if you're going to have a serious discussion about it," Meek said.

Later, he repeated that a specific plan must come from the Legislature.

"They can ask local districts for information, and they get it. We can ask local districts for information, and they say, 'Okay, we'll get it to you when we can,' " Meek said.

He told senators that he's frustrated with talk of blaming the amendment for proposed service cuts when so few lawmakers are willing to even consider ending tax exemptions. And he's bothered that a bill already has been filed to ask voters to repeal the amendment in 2004.

"I think that is wrong, and I think that is a slap to democracy," Meek said.

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