Back in 1968 Florida legislators enacted a major overhaul of the state's constitution. Many of the changes made at the time seemed necessary and reflected the coming economic booms of tourism and space flight technology.
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
In their enthusiasm for "keeping up with the times," lawmakers in 1968 mandated the Constitution Revision Commission. A 37-member committee of unelected appointees are tasked with reviewing and proposing amendments to the Florida Constitution.
The commission must meet every 20 years to review and approve proposed amendments from the general public and from their own members. If approved, proposed amendments by-pass the legislature and go straight to the ballot in the next general election.
No other state has a Constitution Revision Commission.
The Convention of States Florida legislative team is asking for your support in abolishing this powerful and potentially dangerous commission.
Flaws in the CRC
The Constitution Revision Commission met for the third time in 2017-2018. As a result, seven proposed amendments were put before the voters on the November 2018 ballot. The results of the commission's actions are drawing scorn from state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle because of "bundling," or putting unrelated issues in the same amendment.
One amendment proposal on the 2018 ballot combined death benefits for first responders with changes to the way state and community colleges are governed.
Critics of the CRC point out that this "bundling" presents an obvious dilemma for many voters who may back one part of the amendment and not the other.
Questions also have been raised about the commission seeking to make policy changes through amendments, rather than addressing constitutional issues.
That is just the tip of the iceberg. Consider the following problems.
1. Most voters in Florida have no idea what the Commission is or how it operates.
An article published in the Orlando Weekly in 2018 quoted these survey findings:
"according to a survey conducted by Breakthrough Research last year, eight in 10 Floridians have never even heard of the CRC – and of those actually aware of the commission and its purpose, one in three wrongly identified its role."
2. Commissioners are appointed-not elected.
Fifteen commissioners are appointed by the Governor. Nine are appointed by the Speaker of the House, nine by the Senate President, and three by the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court. The Attorney General serves on the commission, as well.
Whoever controls state government at the time the commission is appointed directly influences who sits on the commission. This leaves the commission wide open to undue influence from special interest groups and those who appointed them.
3. The CRC is unnecessary and bypasses the normal functions of representative government.
Florida's Constitution Revision Commission acts as an inappropriately prescribed, unelected legislature. They develop language and make proposed changes to the state constitution that would normally be drafted, debated and voted on by your state representatives.
The CRC ignores the normal legislative process. As a result, your elected representatives have no say in what the commission decides to put on the ballot and neither do you.
Convention of States Florida backs repeal of the CRC
The controversy surrounding the 2018 commission amendments and their subsequent adoption by Florida voters has prompted state lawmakers to propose legislation to abolish it.
Joint resolutions from both chambers of state government are scheduled for review in the upcoming legislative session. That session begins on January 14, 2020.
The Convention of States Florida legislative team is asking for your support in abolishing this powerful and potentially dangerous commission.
Help us protect the integrity of Florida's State Constitution.
REFERENCES
https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Constitution_Revision_Commission
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2020/301/?Tab=BillHistory
https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=66840
http://www.aif.com/crc/
