Some Things Don’t Change

» October 1968: “If erosion of Florida’s beaches hasn’t yet come through as a serious problem, consider this statistic. Every year, about 20 million cubic years of sand is lost. That’s about 500 acres of ocean front land.”

Halfway There?

» April 1959: The 500-mile strip between Jacksonville and Key West along Florida’s east coast may be destined to become a megalopolis, or one continuous city, county zoning administrators were told at a meeting at Florida State University. Rapid growth of urban areas and expansion of industry into rural areas were cited to show need of more zoning authority. Florida is one of three states without a general zoning law.

» Present: That may have already happened in south Florida — with population trends steadily moving northward — but that’s far from the case for the rest of the state’s east coast.

Sounds Familiar

» September 1978: “Florida has state tax difficulties that will not fade away. ... The state faces an across the board deterioration in state operations unless some functions are eliminated or there is a vast improvement in efficiency — or unless the tax structure is changed.” Florida’s tax dilemma is made more difficult because we already spend less than most states on schools, health, welfare and general government.”