Podcast: Making sense of Florida ballot amendments

Jacksonville, FL — You will decide the fate of 12 Constitutional Amendments in the November 6th Election.  In order for a ballot amendment to become law it must pass with 60% approval.

Making things even more confusing, some of the amendments are ‘bundled’.  One example of this is an amendment to ban off-shore drilling and e-cigarettes in the workplace.

Action News Jax Reporter Courtney Cole spent weeks researching the ballot amendments to help you better understand what they mean and, if passed, how they may impact your life.

Amendment 1: Homestead Property Tax Exemption. 

Amendment 1 proposes to Increase the portion of a home’s value that can be exempted from non-school property taxes by $25,000; exempting the home’s value between $100,000 to $125,000.

A “yes” vote would save homeowners money. However, critics warn that savings will not last since cities will be forced to raise other taxes to make up for the lost revenue. The Florida Association of Counties warns if this amendment passes, cities and counties will lose $752 million in the first year: Money that will need to be replaced

Amendment 2: Limitations on Property Tax Assessments 

Amendment 2 would maintain existing law by permanently placing a 10 percent cap on the annual increase of non-homestead property.

Amendment 3: Voter Control of Gambling 

Approval of Amendment 3 would shift the authority to authorize casino expansion in Florida from the legislature to the voters. If passed, voters would need to approve any future expansion of gambling. It would not impact existing gambling at dog tracks or the Seminole casinos.

Amendment 4: Restoration of Rights 

Amendment 4 is getting national attention. The proposal would restore voting rights to non-violent felons after they have completed their sentence, including parole and probation. The amendment does not apply to felons convicted of murder or sex crimes. There are about 1.5 million non-violent felons in Florida who have served their time, but have not had their rights restored.

Amendment 5: Supermajority to Raise Taxes 

Approval of Amendment 5 would require the Florida Legislature to approve all future tax or fee increases with a two-thirds vote (a supermajority). This would not apply to local taxes and fees, or state fees already indexed to inflation.

Amendment 6: Crime Victims, Judges, Law 

There are three parts to this amendment: The first part deals with rights for crime victims, also known as “Marsy’s Law." The change would create a bill of rights for victims of crime, giving them better access information about the suspect in a crime, expanding on rights already in state law.

The second part would raise the mandatory age of retirement for state judges from 70 to 75.

The last part would prohibit state courts from deferring to an agency interoperation of a state statute.

Amendment 7: First Responders, Colleges, Universities 

There are three parts to Amendment 7: Part one extends death benefits to first responders and military members. State law already provides these benefits to police, firefighters, corrections officers and the national guard. However, this change would extend these benefits to EMS, paramedics, and military members.

Part two would require a two-thirds vote (supermajority) of university trustees and the sate system board of governors to raise fees. There are 12 members, right now only a majority is required.

The last part would establish the state college system in the constitution.

Amendment 8 - School Board Term Limits and Duties; Public Schools 

This proposed amendment was thrown out by the Florida Supreme Court and will not appear on the November 2018 ballot.

Amendment 9: Offshore Drilling and Indoor Vaping

There are two parts to this amendment: The first part would prohibit drilling off Florida’s coast. The state of Florida only controls the area between 0-9 nautical miles off shore. This amendment would stop drilling in this area, but would have no impact on waters beyond 9 nautical miles. There is also an exception that would continue to allow the transport of oil and gas through this buffer.

The second part of the amendment would prohibit vaping (e-cigarettes) in enclosed indoor workplaces.

Amendment 10: Counterterrorism, Veteran Affairs, Local Government, State Government 

There are four parts to this amendment: The first would have the state legislature meet in January in even-numbered years, and March in odd-numbered years. The legislature routinely moves the state date around to accommodate even-year campaign season; this amendment would lock in the odd/even split.

The second part would create a counterterrorism office within FDLE.

The third part would codify require the state to have a Department of Veteran’s Affairs; something that it already has.

The fourth part would make all of Florida’s 67 counties elect their constitutional officers (sheriff, tax collector, clerk, elections supervisor). Most central Florida counties already do this, however, some counties like Miami-Dade appoint the sheriff.

Amendment 11: Criminal Statutes, Property Rights, High-Speed Rail 

There are three parts to this amendment: The first would make any future changes to criminal law retroactive to people already convicted. Most states already do this.

The second part would allow for non-citizens to buy or sell property in the state.

The last part is basically housekeeping, as it would delete language approving of high-speed rail.

Amendment 12: Lobbying Ban

Amendment 12 bans public officials from lobbying during their terms in office. It also prohibits them from lobbying for six years after their term ends.

Amendment 13: Ban Greyhound Racing 

Amendment 13 ends greyhound racing in Florida by 2020. Tracks with other forms of gambling, including card rooms and slot machines could keep that, however, tracks would no longer be allowed to hold dog races.