Citrus Commission considering higher tax

Citrus Commission considering higher tax    The Florida Citrus Commission will meet next week to consider a proposed tax increase on citrus fruits that would be used to fund promotional efforts.
   The commission is looking at a per-box increase of between 35 percent and 66 percent, which would raise the commission's revenues from $51.6 million to $66 million. About 80 percent of the commission’s budget goes toward marketing and promotion efforts.
   Supporters of the tax say the cost could be absorbed by growers because reduced crop yields this year are driving up prices for Florida citrus.
   Growers that have not been impacted by citrus canker or hurricanes are supporting the increase, but those who have experienced offsetting costs say the tax increase is not acceptable in light of the problems encountered by growers over the last year.