Amendments 1 to 8 in Florida - which ones are for the people

[2Design]

there are 8 amendments on the ballot

Someone has already posted to vote no on amendment 3 but what are the rest of these

Also what is this justice of supreme course and several district court of appeals judges, circuti judge and school board member and mosquito contol -
which of these names are rw or went to rw schools

[seasat]

1. Amendment 1 has a rather dangerous clause in it.

It states that the budget should be projected on a three year basis. This part sounds pretty good. It forces the legislature to plan for the long run. However, it allows a committee to make changes in the budget without the full vote of the legislature. Here's the text of the amendment (LINK).

(3) The legislature shall prescribe by general law conditions under
which limited adjustments to the budget, as recommended by the governor
or the chief justice of the supreme court, may be approved without the
concurrence of the full legislature.

That is a power that is ripe for abuse. Especially give the scandals coming out of Tallahassee with privatization contractors and computer bidding. It would give a handful of law makers and the governor complete power over the budget shutting out everyone else. I'm going to vote no.

[2Design]

2. budget without the full vote of the legislature - I did notice that

so I have highlight no

Used a link someone had in here for votesmart which talks about the admendments

the only one I have a yes is no 6

voting no on 7 - because they get more retirement than most of us and that makes up for their service

and number 8 - I am really not sure
I do not trust the government - they could do like they did in new london but when I look at who put it up and who is for it - there must be some underlying things - realtors are for it and a repub put it up - so do they own all the prime real estate and want to protect that - yet it says they can't give it or sell it for 10 years - so it would seem it would keep the developers from driving it but since they are for it - it makes me think there is a big catch her.

[seasat]

3. A couple of posts threads down has the link.

Vote Smart Florida

The only one that I'm leaning toward a yes on is amendment 4. It ticked me off when Jebbie used the tobbacco settlement money to basically fund his tax cuts for the wealthy. The Truth antismoking campaign was originally funded by this money but Jebbie has slowly bled it dry. It seems to me that amendment 4 would force them to actually spend the money on what it was intended for.

[2Design]

4. Oh - of course I was thinking it went to the good of the people

It is amazing - years ago they pulled me and others in with their not wasting money - then I saw they meant they would reduce public services in all the possible ways - while giving themselves raises and the wealthy our money -

I was thinking why waste it on education about smoking - everyone knows that - but you are right they are not spending it on education or other areas that could use the money -

[iamjoy]

5. Voting No On All, Except 8

I know, I am voting against increased Homestead Exemptions for low income seniors (#6). I feel for impoverished seniors, but what about low income families who would have to pick up the burden? Furthermore, I fear this amendment will starve rural counties. They will likely make cuts not only to education, but to vital social services programs, some of which are desperataly needed by low income seniors.

I know #8 is backed by a lot of Libertarian business types, and would probably make it harder to get land for conservation purposes. But, I also feel it would help poor people in run down neighborhoods who do own their homes from "gentrification" and other so called improvement projects (arenas, performing arts centers, highway expansions, etc).

[ngant17]

6. thanks for the tip

iamjoy, I appreciate your well-thought comments and I would tend to trust your opinion based on your +1000 posts at DU Although I'm sure a covert Repug could try and post a 1000 comments just to try and be accepted, I'm sure such a person could be easily exposed after a few comments on the right political issues. I will remember to vote No to all except 8.

[2Design]

7. ok - it is yes on 6 and yes on 8

Low income seniors really need a break although a lot of them are in mobiles on land owned by others - so 6 is probably a yes

And 8 is probably a yes because of the eminent domain that took peoples homes in new london and other places around the country and turned over to developers to make lots of money off of water front property -

[liberaliraqvet26]

8. I saw a "VOTE YES ON 3" outside the Chamber of Commerce....

so I guess I should be voting no on 3.

[seafan]

13. Builders, Insurers, Realtors, Sugar, St. Joe, Publix, Chamber ...

of Commerce and Lykes Bros. are pushing for this vote. It's not about the people in this state. It's only about protecting their corporate power in Tallahassee.


NO on Amendment 3.

See this thread

[Maraya1969]

17. See this thread I just started

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=145x8308

[seasat]

9. Amendment 8, there is already a law passed last year.

It is the toughest law limiting eminent domain in the country. It pretty much limits eminent domain cases to roads and schools. What this amendment does is further define public/private use and limit it to a 3/5 vote by the legislature for exemptions. A potential problem is that the legislature can override a local decision under this law. It also ties the hand of local governments in rebuilding blighted areas. I may vote for it but I'm leaning toward no at this time.

The blog, The State of Sunshine, has a list with links of all the endorsements by the major papers (LINK). They also cover all the editorials on the amendments and the paper's recommendations. The majority of editorial opinion is no on all the amendments except amendment 1.

[soup]

10. Thank you for the link

and to 28erl for initiating the discussion.

Haven't done my homework on the amendments yet and this will really be helpful.

[flpoljunkie]

11. Vote NO on all amendments proposed by Legislature, YES on #4, citizens

amendment. Only the tobacco amendment was proposed by citizen initiative. Those proposed by the Florida legislature either are attemtping to take away citizens' rights under our Constitution or else are base pandering to slices of Florida voters to curry favor and which, if enacted, will further exacerbate our financial shortfalls.

[2Design]

12. good point - florida legislature proposed are for pandering

Poster stated: Those proposed by the Florida legislature either are attemtping to take away citizens' rights under our Constitution or else are base pandering to slices of Florida voters to curry favor and which, if enacted, will further exacerbate our financial shortfalls.

good point - why would the florida legislature propose admendments if they get to write the laws unless they are trying to do an end pass around some issues

[ellenfl]

14. all 3 sc justices were appointed by chiles so i am voting yes to

all 3. jeb's appointees are not up for 're-election' this year.

i was going to vote 'yes' on both homestead exemption amendments but have since decided against because everyone should have fair taxes. also, the elderly already have an additional $25000 exemption and why limit the vet's to injured vets living in florida at the time of their service?

court of appeals, circuit court judges, school board and mosquito control are pertinent to your area.

looks like i will be voting 'no' on all amendments.

ellen fl

[justinrr1]

15. Hillsborough County

I dont think I have to say this but no on the sex industry straw poll and yes on Redner - time to have someone shake up that damn county comission.

[bullimiami]

16. i just filled out my absentee ballot. i put NO on all of them.

i dont like any of them. besides they are all from our state congress whom i do not trust at all except the tobacco one and it was foolish.

i voted to keep the 3 supremes which were all appointed by lawton.

dem down the line except i vowed not to vote for nelson ever again after the torture vote

(no, moderator, i am not advocating his "defeat", im just saying I did not and could not personally vote for him)

[lsweep]

18. totally agree with amendment accessment

Altho a newbie to this forum I have done some extensive
research into the wordings of our proprosed amendments...
I am planning on voting no on all except yes on amendment 8
(the whole thing about govt taking land for what they deem a
better use is scary to me).

anyways- warm regards to all,
lsweep

[bullimiami]

19. my problem with 8 is that it came from the devious minds of this

twisted florida legislature.

which for me means it better be very very obvious why im voting for it and very wary of unintended consequences.

i dont trust them so I say leave it how it is for now.

[newyawker99]

20. Hi lsweep!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[lpbk2713]

21. Any more last minute thoughts on these?

I'd still like to see some more input.

Thanks.