Interesting updates from Memphis and Tampa in an all-American day of SIB News…
Palm Harbor Lawmaker Seeks ‘Pay For Success’ Program
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Two Republican lawmakers have filed bills that would create a program — dubbed “pay for success” — that would involve private investment money being used to pay for government services.
Rep. Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, filed a House version (HB 1049) this week, and Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, has filed a similar Senate bill (SB 1200).
The measures will be considered during the legislative session that starts Jan. 12. Under the proposals, the state could enter into contracts with nonprofit organizations to provide targeted services. The nonprofits would get private funding to pay for the services.
Under the contracts, the state would ultimately make payments to the nonprofits based on whether they meet “performance outcome measures,” according to the bills.
Strickland Says Memphis Opposes Repealing Hall Tax, For Now
Ryan Poe – Commercial Appeal
Memphis is officially opposing a measure to eliminate the state’s controversial income tax on stock dividends and certain interest income, but Mayor Jim Strickland said the city could drop its opposition — if the state makes up the millions of dollars in lost city revenue.
In addition to the city’s priorities, Strickland and Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell presented lawmakers five pages of shared priorities. The one that drew the most attention was the recommendation that lawmakers allow cities to issue “social impact bonds” to fund experimental programs like Shelby County’s pilot project to reduce prison re-entries for some offenders. The county would pay back investors with the savings created by the project.