The amendments on Florida's November 2022 ballot
The LWV-Florida recommends a NO to abolishing the Constitutional Revision Commission (CRC) . They say the solution to the problems IM-Mandarin lists in their slate card is to make the CRC follow the same rules as the citizen petitions: one issue per amendment. LWV-Florida: https://lwvfl.org/amendments-2022/ IM-Mandarin: Slate Card
This link gives a history of the Constitutional Revision Commission that meets every 20 years. Here's a few excerpts:
1978
In 1978, the CRC referred eight constitutional amendments to the ballot, and voters rejected all of them.
1998
In 1998, the CRC referred nine constitutional amendments, and voters passed eight of nine of them. Examples of amendments approved in 1998 include: Amendment 6, which required the state to make adequate provision for the education of children; Amendment 8, which reorganized the state executive cabinet; and Amendment 11, which changed constitutional laws related to elections.
2018
In 2018, the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) referred eight constitutional amendments to the ballot, combining multiple proposals in some of the amendments. Amendment 8 was blocked from appearing on the ballot. The seven remaining measures referred by the CRC were approved.
Here's the seven amendments the CRC proposed in 2018. They all passed. Whether you think the CRC should be abolished or not, we hope you agree that the legislators need to pass a law saying the CRC must follow the same rules as citizen petitions: there should be only one issue per amendment.
Amendment 6's big item was Marsy's law and it passed by 62%
add specific rights of crime victims, together known as a Marsy's Law, to the Florida Constitution;
increase the judicial retirement age from 70 to 75 years of age; and
prohibit state courts from deferring to an administrative agency’s interpretation of a state statute or rule in lawsuits.
Amendments 7 -- the Supreme Court overturned a lower court's ruling and ordered amendment 7 to remain on the ballot. Should we vote those Supreme Court members out? We do need a law that says the CRC is not allowed to bundle issues like this.
require employers to provide death benefits, as the state legislature defines, to the surviving spouses of first responders while engaged in official duties;
require the state to provide death benefits, as the state legislature defines, to the surviving spouses of active-duty U.S. Armed Forces members who are accidentally killed or unlawfully and intentionally killed;
require a nine-member vote of the board of trustees and 12-member vote of the board of governors to increase a college fee; and
place the current structure [which is by statute rather than by the constitution] of the state's system of higher education in the Florida Constitution. In other words, the state constitution would require:
there be a single state college system comprised of all public community and state colleges:
a local board of trustees shall govern each institution;
members of a board of trustees must be a resident of the college's service delivery area;
members of a board of trustees are appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the state Senate, to four-year terms; and
the state board of education shall supervise the state college system; [note that the governor appoints the state board of education. Should they be elected like the local school boards are elected?]
Amendment 9-ban off shore drilling--passed by 69%
ban offshore drilling for oil and natural gas on lands beneath all state waters and
ban the use of vapor-generating electronic devices, such as electronic cigarettes, in enclosed indoor workplaces.
Amendment 10--passed by 63%
require, rather than authorize, the legislature to provide for a state Department of Veterans Affairs;
create a state Office of Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism;
require the legislature to convene regular session on the second Tuesday of January of even-numbered years; and
prohibit counties from abolishing certain local offices—sheriff, tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, and clerk of the circuit court—and requiring elections for these offices.
Amendment 11--This is another one that should NOT have been bundled. The Supreme Court overturned a lower court's ruling and ordered Amendments 11 to remain on the ballot.
repeal constitutional provision prohibiting foreign-born persons ineligible for citizenship from owning, inheriting, disposing, and possession property;
repeal an obsolete constitutional provision stating that a high-speed ground transportation system be developed in Florida; and
delete the constitutional provision that an amendment to a criminal statute does not affect the prosecution of a crime committed before the statute's amendment.
Amendment 12--Lobbying Restrictions Amendment passed by 79%
A "yes" vote supported prohibiting public officials from lobbying for compensation during the official's term in office and for six years after the official leaves office and prohibiting public officials from using the office to obtain a disproportionate benefit.
Florida Amendment 13, Ban on Wagering on Dog Races Amendment passed by 69%
A "yes" vote supported prohibiting wagering on live dog races, including greyhound races, held in Florida and banning dog races in Florida on which there is wagering.