John Scolaro District 5 Candidate Sarasota County Charter Review Board

Prior to 1968, Counties in Florida were traditionally viewed as arms of State government. They performed a limited number of government functions, and largely were controlled by the State Legislature. Over the decades, Florida had changed dramatically. More than ½ of Florida residents now live outside of cities. County governments now provide many municipal-type services in addition to performing traditional responsibilities. The Florida Constitution was amended in 1968 to extend full powers of home rule to Florida counties whose voters choose to adopt charters. As an example of the purpose of Home Rule, consider the following from the Florida Association of Counties’ 1998-1999 Guiding Principles: HOME RULE County officials are dedicated to the preservation of democratic principles, specifically the notion that the government closest to the people is the appropriate authority to serve the needs and requirements of the community.  Home rule is the right of the people to determine and implement a public purpose at the grassroots level.  Home rule powers conferred to Florida counties by Article VIII, Section 1(f), of the Florida Constitution (1968), and by Section 125.01, Florida Statutes.  The preservation of this democratic concept is essential to the operation of county governments in Florida Florida’s Charter Counties & Their Charter Year: • Alachua – 1987 • Duval – 1967 • Palm Beach - 1985 • Brevard – 1994 • Hillsborough – 1983 • Pinellas - 1980 • Broward – 1975 • Lee – 1996 • Polk - 1998 • Charlotte – 1986 • Leon – 2002 • Sarasota - 1971 • Clay – 1991 • Miami-Dade – 1957 • Seminole - 1989 • Columbia – 2002 • Orange – 1987 • Volusia - 1971 • Osceola - 1992 .

Political advertisement approved and paid for by John Scolaro Campaign Republican for Sarasota Charter Review Board