Florida House: Require 2/3 vote for future tax hikes

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida could make it harder to raise taxes or fees in the future under a proposed constitutional amendment that cleared the Florida House.

The House on Thursday voted 80-29 in favor of a measure that would require the Florida Legislature to approve tax hikes by a two-thirds vote.

The proposal is a top priority for Gov. Rick Scott, who wants it to go before voters this coming November. It heads next to the Florida Senate, which so far has not considered the bill.

Several other states, including California, have similar restrictions on tax hikes.

Democrats who opposed the legislation said it was short-sighted and would prevent the Legislature from cleaning up loopholes and tax breaks.