RUDEN McCLOSKY OF COUNSEL CARLOS LACASA APPOINTED TO FLORIDA'S TAXATION AND BUDGET REFORM COMMISSION (TBRC)

Carlos Lacasa, an of counsel with Ruden McClosky, was appointed to the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission (TRBC) by Florida House Speaker Mark Rubio (R-Miami). Mr. Lacasa is resident in the Firm's Miami office located at 701 Brickell Avenue.

The purpose of the TBRC is to examine the State budgetary process, the revenue needs and the expenditure processes of the state, the appropriateness of the State's tax structure; governmental productivity and efficiency; and review the ability of state and local government to tax and adequately fund governmental operations and capital facilities. As prescribed in the State Constitution, the TBRC has full authority to place amendments on the election ballot without legislative approval. Constitutional amendments approved by the TBRC will appear on the 2008 general election ballot. The Commission will begin meeting in early 2007 and must submit any proposed constitutional amendments by May 4, 2008. Established by a Constitutional Amendment in 1988, the TBRC meets every 20 years.

A former member of the Florida House of Representatives (District 117), Mr. Lacasa is a member of Ruden McClosky's Corporate and Administrative and Governmental Practice Groups. Representative Lacasa was first elected in 1994 and chaired the House General Appropriations Committee from 2000 to 2002.