West Boca News is pleased to present a brief summary of the eleven constitutional amendments on the ballot this year:
Amendment 1: Obamacare
While not explicitly mentioning President Obama, Amendment 1 is pretty clearly aimed at the Obamacare mandate. It would “prohibit laws or rules from compelling any person or employer to [buy/get/provide] health care coverage.
If you oppose Obamacare, you probably want to vote for Amendment 1. If you support Obamacare, you probably want to vote against it.
With that said, it’s doubtful that this would be effective since the Supreme Court has already ruled the mandate is constitutional, and federal law is supreme (it overrides state laws and constitutions). If Amendment 1 passes, the state and federal government will waste a lot of money and time fighting over it in court. So if you don’t like government wasting our money, you might want to vote no even though you don’t like Obamacare.
Amendment 2: Disabled Veterans
This is one of a number of special interest amendments on the ballot. It effectively reduces property taxes for disabled veterans. Like many special interest ideas, this reminds me of “nuke the gay whales for Jesus.” 
Here’s the thing about special interest tax breaks – it means the rest of us will pay more taxes to make up for what the special interests don’t pay. Some say the schools and local governments will get less revenue, but I’m confident they’ll find a way to make that up, out of our pockets.
I have tremendous respect for veterans, disabled or not. They already get a lot of benefits, such as medical care at the VA. Maybe they don’t get enough, but veterans’ benefits is a federal issue.
I’m voting no.
Amendment 3: State Government Revenue Limit
I have to admit this one goes a little over my head. As best I can tell, it would place a tighter restriction on the growth of state revenue than the one that is currently in place, based on inflation and population, instead of on personal income.
Supporters say it will cut state government spending. Opponents also say it will cut state government spending.
Since I think governments at all levels spend too much, it seems like a good idea to me. I’m voting yes. But I’d love to hear more from anyone who understands it better. Please post comments (on other amendments as well) or send me an e-mail. If I hear enough, I might add a further post.
Amendment 4: More Property Tax Breaks for Special Interests
Like Amendment 2, this is a tax break for special interests. On its face it’s for certain property owners and first-time homebuyers. The pro argument I heard was that this would boost property values. I doubt it.
Basically this gives a property tax break to a few small groups of people, and I’m pretty sure I’m not one of them. You’re probably not getting the break either. Giving a tax break to someone else means the rest of us pay more.
I’m voting no.
Amendment 5: State Court Rules
This one is being criticized as an attack on the state courts. It does shift power from judges to the state legislature. But the proposals seem pretty reasonable. It would:
- Give the Florida State Senate the power to confirm or reject the Governor’s judicial appointments. This is not radical. It’s exactly what we have in the federal courts.
- Let the legislature repeal a court rule by a simple majority vote, instead of the 2/3 vote currently required. That also seems pretty reasonable.
- Makes slight changes in the confidentiality rules when the Florida House considers whether or not to impeach a judge. I don’t love this part but it also doesn’t seem like a big deal.
Overall these proposals make the legal process more open and democratic. Might not be perfect, but I’m voting yes.
Amendment 6: Public Funding of Abortion
This would dramatically reduce government funding of abortions, but still has some exceptions (such as danger to the mother, rape or incest). It also provides that the State Constitution cannot provide broader abortion rights than the US Constitution.
This one’s tricky. Most pro-choice voters will probably vote no. Nearly all pro-life voters will vote yes. The only catch is the pro-choice voters who are concerned about government spending or abortion moderates who don’t like government funding abortions.
The second part about abortion rights is a big deal to the hardliners in both camps, but I don’t think it will make a big difference and may not matter at all.
I’m voting yes because I’m a hardliner on spending.
Amendment 7: Huh?
That’s the democratic process for you. There is no Amendment 7. It’s like the 13th floor of a hotel.
Amendment 8: Religion
This has to do with whether government money can go to religious institutions. The main impact would be to allow parents to use school vouchers for religious schooling instead of limiting that money to secular private schools. It would also allow taxpayer dollars to go to other faith-based programs.
I’m a fan of voucher programs because they give parents more control over their kids’ education. And while I’m not religious, I do think there are many good religious schools.
I’m not keen on the other faith-based programs, but that’s not enough for me to oppose this. I’m voting yes.
Amendment 9: Another Special Interest Tax Break
This is a property tax break for a special interest. In this case it’s for “surviving spouses of military veterans … police, firefighters and other first responders who die in the line of duty.”
I’m voting no for the same reasons mentioned above for Amendments 2 and 4.
Amendment 10: Yet One More Special Interest Tax Break
This time it’s on “tangible personal property used in a business or to earn income.” Apparently this tax break will supposedly help small businesses. The current exemption is $25,000, and this would raise it to $50K. If you’re not paying this tax now, then you will have to pay more to make up for the lost revenue.
I’m voting no.
Amendment 11: Yes, Another Break for Special Interests
This is a tax break for “low-income” people over 65 who have lived on their property for 25 years or more. The hidden secret is that a lot of low income seniors are wealthy but don’t have high incomes.
Again, this tax break means the rest of us will have to make up for the lost revenue. I’m voting no.
Amendment 12: State University Board of Governors
This wins the Most Boring award of the amendments. It has to do with how the student representative to the Board of Governors is appointed. In the process it creates a new council of student body presidents, which sounds like a great way to waste more of our money on something completely unimportant.
I’m voting no.
