KEY ELECTION DATESFeb. 6: Voter registration endsFeb. 13: In-person early voting beginsMarch 2: Early voting ends, last day to mail out ballotsMarch 5: No votingMarch 6: Election day, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.Source: Dade County Board of Elections
DADE AUSTERITY CUTSFiscal year – Austerity cut2003 – $237,9222004 – $499,3542005 – $586,2232006 – $586,2182007 – $275,6492008 – $231,9072009 – $812,9882010 – $1.45 million2011 – $1.67 million2012 – $1.76 millionSource: Dade County Schools
The 1 cent education special purpose local option sales tax Dade County voters have approved every election cycle since 1997 will appear again on the March 6 ballot, according to officials.
Dade County Schools Superintendent Shawn Tobin says the tax has paid for repairs, expansions, buses and other improvements since voters first approved it 15 years ago.
Tobin, who’s ethically required not to make a pitch for the sales tax for schools, instead points to its role as a revenue source in times when state funding cuts for Dade stand at more than $1.7 million in 2012.