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Florida Amendment Proposals Face Tough Odds Dozens of measures failed to win lawmaker approval for 2010 ballot. Florida's lawmakers originated six constitutional amendments to go before the voters in 2010: to give military service members an additional homestead property tax exemption while they're deployed; to repeal publicly funded financing for the campaigns of statewide candidates; to keep tax assessments from rising more than 5 percent a year on non-homestead property – down from the current cap of 10 percent; to modify redistricting restrictions in Amendments 5 and 6; to relax class size restrictions in public schools; to nullify the federal health care reform law. But others failed to get through. Here is a look at some of those: The TABOR amendment Would have limited how fast state and local government revenue can grow and would have required voter approval of new taxes and fees. The measure was similar to what is called the TABOR amendment in Colorado (for Taxpayers' Bill of Rights). That amendment, by the way, was repealed in early June. The Colorado state treasurer rejoiced in the repeal and called the 18-year-old law a "knot in our state Constitution.” S1164 Relating to Homestead Property Assessment/Declining Value [EPSC] This one would have prohibited a property assessment increase if the market value of the property decreased. S1908 Relating to Guaranteeing the Right to Vote by Secret Ballot [GPSC] Seemed poised for passage, but ultimately failed. It would have required secret ballot elections among workers who are considering forming a union. Existing law gives employers the right to decide whether to hold such elections or use a method, preferred by unions, that calls for employees to check their preferences on a card. Unions say open elections result in intimidation, harassment and, in some cases, the firing of workers who campaign in favor of organizing. Businesses argue that unions use the check card process to harass and intimidate workers into signing. HJR617 Minimum Salaries for New and Experienced Public School Teachers This amendment would have established minimum salary levels for teachers. Lengthening term limits for state lawmakers This amendment would have added four years to the eight years that lawmakers are currently allowed to serve. In 1992, Florida voters said eight was enough and adopted a constitutional amendment to limit legislators to that many years in office. | ||
