Secretary of State Kurt Browning said moments ago that he will appeal the court decision striking the proposed constitutional amendment on property taxes from the Jan. 29 ballot. The appeal was filed the 1st District Court of Appeal. 

"I have every confidence that this is the appropriate decision for this important ballot initiative," Browning said in a statement. "I look forward to resolution of this initiative either through the judicial process or other avenues determines by the Florida Legislature."

Said Gov. Charlie Crist, "While we have great respect for the judiciary, we're going to seek a second opinion. Today, an appeal has been filed on behalf of the Secretary of State to allow the people to vote to cut their taxes."

No surprise given Crist, Senate President Ken Pruitt and House
Speaker Marco Rubio have already called for the appeal. But the fate of
the property tax plan remains an open question with Pruitt and Rubio at
odds over whether to address the issue during the special session next
week.

As is standard with the property tax saga, the appeal reveals yet another twist. Paul Hawkes, a member of the 1st DCA, is father of House lawyer Jeremiah Hawkes.