Constitutional Amendments on the 2024 Ballot

Tue, Oct 8 • 6PM

Lakewood Ranch Library, 16410 Rangeland Parkway, LWR

Constitutional Amendments on the 2024 Ballot

Thu, Oct 10 • 6PM

Rocky Bluff Library, 6750 US 301, Ellenton

Constitutional Amendments on the 2024 Ballot

Wed, Oct 16 • 6PM

South Manatee Library, 6081 26th St W, Bradenton

Wednesday, 10/9, 4:00 PM - LWVMC Board Meeting

All are welcome! Click here to join the Board Meeting

Friday, 10/10, 9:00AM - Reproductive Rights Action Team Meeting. Click here to register for the Reproductive Rights Action Team Meeting.

For more information, email Nancy Hughes

Tuesday, 10/15, 4:00PM - Education Action Team Meeting.   This month the Education Issues Action Team is sponsoring the Conversation with Superintendent Wysong. See above notice. For more information, email Education Chair, Merrie Lynn Parker.

Monday, 10/21, 9:00AM - Membership Committee Meeting. Click here to join the Membership Commitee Meeting For more information, email Lyle Landon.

Wednesday, 10/23, 5:00PM Voter Services Action Team Meeting - Click here to register for the Voter Services Team Meeting. For more information, email VS Chair Terri Kondos

Next Government and Gun Safety Action Teams Meeting is 11/11 For more information email Government Chair, Ginger McCallum

Next Natural Resources Actions Team Meeting is 11/21. For more information email Ruth Harenchar.

Please participate in whatever way you are able in the Clean Water Amendment petition drive.

A Private/League Partnership,

and Everyone Wins!

Co-owner of Children’s Therapy Solutions (CTS), Lena Thorensen, became a U.S. citizen two years ago. Lena wanted to support non-partisan voter registration and this motivation led her to offer her business as a location to encourage registration and provide election information.

Terri Kondos, the Voter Services Action Chair, met with Lena and co-owner Megan Halliday and reported back that "They are ALL IN." They provided apples, oranges, pretzel packs and they ran a raffle for their 90 employees. A drawing for $100 was awarded to the lucky winner, and entering only required registering, or update your record or checking your status at the League table.

Terri drafted an email which was send to their employees and a flyer that they distributed to their clients in advance so they know voter registration will be available and let them know what ID to bring. 

Our volunteers had a fun, productive time providing a range of voter services to employees and the parents of patients under the shade of a huge tree at the office entrance to CTS in Bradenton. 

With access to CTS WiFi, this was the first time we used our newly acquired tablets. This acquisition enables the citizen to comfortably register or update their voting information on-line. The location even had a USPS mailbox so citizens could easily deposit their signed paper forms in the stamped, addressed envelopes we provided. 

A big thanks to all the members who participated and to Lena Thorensen and Megan Halliday.

Understanding the Manatee County

Tourist Tax Referendum (Bed Tax)

The Florida legislature has a maximum percentage that can be charged as a tourist tax on short term rentals (6 months or less). The bed tax can be no more than 5% UNLESS you are a high impact tourist area, defined as annually having rentals of $600 million or more. Then the county may increase the bed tax from 5 to 6%.

Eleven counties have qualified, including Sarasota and Pinellas, and are collecting 6%. Until this year, Manatee County did not qualify as a high impact tourist area. If it had, the county commissioners could have just raised the tax. Last year, the legislature passed a law that now requires the increase of 1% to be approved by the voters.

The supporters of the increase in the bed tax are the County Commissioners and the Manatee County Tourist Development Council. Supporters have made the following arguments:

• This tax is NOT on residents, it is on visitors.

• This tax is used to maintain and improve our beaches, museums, preserves and other facilities that visitors AND residents use. Some of the applications of these funds in the past have been: Coquina Beach parking lot, Bridge Street Pier and Anna Maria City Pier, Grassy Point Preserve, Anna Maria Bayfront Park, Cortez Village Historical Society, Myakka History Center, Bradenton Area Convention Center, Bishop Museum, Manatee Performing Arts Center, Premier Sports Campus, Gulf Islands Ferry (water taxi), Premier Sports Center

• Beach renourishment is done at no cost to residents (currently 1% out of the total 5% is used for beach maintenance).

• It helps provide incentives to airlines to provide more service and choices to our airport.

• The county will lose $6 to 7 million per year, possibly more, that can be used for other improvements and maintenance in the county.

• The difference between 5 or 6% for short term rentals will not affect a tourists decision about visiting Manatee County.

We have been unable to find organizations that are in opposition to the referendum, but some individuals have spoken out against it. The opponents of the measure make these points:

• No more taxes. The American people are being taxed to death.

• If I were to do a short term rental, or my friends or guests, we would have to pay that tax.

• We already have too many tourists. That will just be used to promote more tourism.

• The Island doesn't get enough of the taxes.

Click Here for the Manatee County web page on the referendum.

Florida Constitutional Amendments and Manatee County Referenda on the 2024 Ballot

Don't let the name fool you. EVERYONE is welcome.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in our democracy. We empower voters and defend democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation, at the local, state, and national levels.