The 37-member panel has spent months going through possible additions to the state constitution. These are political appointees, of course, who were tapped by Governor Rick Scott and other top state officials.
Some of the proposals they are weighing were placed on the roster by a commissioner, others by a member of the general public. In order to make it onto Florida’s November ballot, the commissioners vet each proposal through a couple of committees before going for a full vote. The proposed amendments then have to win over voters — at least 60 percent of them.
Of the many proposals that are under consideration, only four or five might make it onto the ballot.
Here is a list of proposals we’re keeping an eye on.
Proposal 67: A ban on greyhound racing
State Sen. Tom Lee, a member of the CRC, placed this one on the agenda. It would essentially do away with most greyhound racing in Florida. Somewhat inexplicably, Florida has far more greyhound racing tracks than any other state. Gambling facilities have to have them and run the dogs a certain number of times a day in order to have state-sanctioned poker tables. Needless to say, animal welfare advocates think this is absurd. Some racing dogs have been found to have drugs in their system, including cocaine. So far, the measure has cleared two committees unanimously, but it is unclear what its fate will ultimately be for the full committee.
Proposal 22: Limiting “privacy” rights
We know, Florida is unique in many ways — including its broad privacy laws, which go beyond federal guidelines to prevent government intrusion. Voters approved that law way back in 1980. Well, John Stemberger of the far-right Florida Family Policy Council wants to reverse that policy. Why? Abortion, of course. The idea here is that limiting “informational privacy” rights of Floridians will make it easier for the state to intervene when a woman seeks to terminate a pregnancy. It could reverse the striking down of the 24-hour waiting period rule, given that a judge cited Floridians’ privacy rights in taking down that rule. Privacy advocates worry that the implications of the policy, if approved, will diminish privacy in other ways as well. A CRC committee voted down the proposal, but Stemberger can still revive it for a full vote if he chooses. Stemberger is a commissioner whom Governor Rick Scott appointed, FYI.
Proposal 56: Stripping public funding for political campaigns
Prudent decision to save taxpayer dollars or craven way to kneecap political newcomers by a moneyed elite? You may get to decide in November. Florida currently allows some public funding for running for statewide office. It’s up to $250 in matching funds, and is totally voluntary — not that it’s any match for the millions many mainstream candidates have to play with. Under this proposal, that would end. Fans of fair elections are not fans of this, given how it doesn’t exactly make for a level playing field. It was filed by Orlando attorney Frank Kruppenbacher, a Scott appointee who is on the board of the James Madison Institute, a libertarian think tank.
Proposal 65: Vaping in the workplace
Apparently, in the State of Florida, one has to be told not to vape in the workplace. This provision, proposed by Lisa Carlton (another Scott appointee), would ban all “vapor-generating electronic devices in enclosed indoor workplaces” in the state. This is likely to be popular among voters who don’t vape. It seems to be a popular proposal, but whether or not it makes it onto the constitution is another question.
This article appears in Mar 8-15, 2018.