The following amendments appeared on the General Election ballot on November 6, 2012. The Collins Center’s analysis of these proposed constitutional amendments provided explanations of the proposals along with arguments for and against them.
For a brief summary of the proposed constitutional amendments, click here. Select each link below for more information on each proposed amendment.
Amendment 1 : Health Care Services
Amendment 2: Veteran’s Property Tax Discount
Amendment 3: State Revenue Limitation
Amendment 4: Property tax limitations; property value decline; reduction for non-homesteaded assessment increases; delay of scheduled repeal
Amendment 5: State Courts
Amendment 6: Prohibition on Public Funding of Abortions; Construction of Abortion Rights
Amendment 7: This proposal was known as Amendment 7 until a legal challenge by opponents led to the rewriting of some of the ballot language and its reinstatement on the ballot as Amendment 8. This is the reason there is no Amendment 7 on the 2012 ballot.
Amendment 8: Religious Freedom
Amendment 9: Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouse of Military Veteran or First Responder
Amendment 10: Tangible Personal Property Tax Exemption
Amendment 11: Additional Homestead Exemption; Low-Income Seniors Who Maintain Long-Term Residency on Property; Equal to Assessed Value
Amendment 12: Appointment of Student Body President to Board of Governors of the State University System
____________________________________________________________
Thank you for this information which provides me good information to make a decision. Florida is NOT a backward state!
Florida IS backward in SO many ways.
I agree this state is going down hill fast all because of Govern Rick Scott. Ugh. Its so backwards.
Mindy and Tom, you make accusations but without specifics. Can you name just how Florida is “going down” and why it is Gov Scotts fault? If so we can have an intelligent conversation about your concerns.
Rick Scott is AWESOME!!!
Thanks for your extensive political analysis. Your statements will certainly change my attitude about the Governor, and probably make me change my vote next time. Keep up the good work, giving very persuasive reasons for your opinions, and you will change a lot of minds. Otherwise most will see through simple statements without reason able cause for such statements as bloviation and completely discount them as sour grapes.
And you got all the answers? Florida? if you don’t like it here, just move. Everyone must persue their happiness.
No, more businesses are coming to this State and unemployment is going down. All this in spite of Obama.
And Mindy, so what exactly has Rick Scott done to bring down the state of Florida. do tell if you have anything specific
Agree!!! It’s fighting hard to remain in the 19th century!
if you don’t like Florida your free to leave, mayby we would be less backward.
This country is a mess but Florida is actually improving under Rick Scott. If people think Florida is backwards then perhaps they need to relocate to California and fit in with all those progressive people. I’m sure their thriving economy will dazzle you. I am a Florida native and I agree we are going downhill fast but it has to do with the influx of people who don’t appreciate things such as no state income tax etc. Let’s “fundamentally change” Florida to what??????
Oiho is backwards
Florida is not backward. everyone can choose what state to live in if your not happy.
The only thing Florida lacks to become a laughingstock is a Creationist Museum.
Florida’s legislature is horribly backward. I can’t believe they want to give money to religious organizations when they scream and yell about how Public Radio should be defunded and universal healthcare is Marxist. It is the most un-American thing they could possibly do. There is no reputable legal justification for it. The opinions they use are incompetent.
These are the legislators who in years past made fun of California’s constitutional change frenzy.
I think Florida is a vibrant place, but the amendments as proposed would gut schools and local governments so severely I’m not certain how they’ll even be able to keep the lights on. Billions of dollars would be taken from schools across the state. And especially troubling is removing a woman’s right to privacy.
Our Florida constitution states:
“Every natural person has the right to be let alone and free from governmental intrusion into the person’s private life…”
If Amendment 6 passes, a woman would no longer be able to claim that right in defending her reproductive rights. That chills me to the bone.
Your right…not backwards, just way behind.
Thank you from a concerned citizen in search of information and clarification!
Amendment 8 is unconstitutional if passed. Hopefully everyone makes the right decision.
The phrase “Separation of Church and State” is not found anywhere in the U. S. Constitution. This is a myth promulgated by those wishing to bar Christian influence from public and political life.
As I understand it, Prop 8 removes a barrier to the voucher system that prevents state funding of Christian schools.
The phrase may not be in the Constitution, but the intent certainly is. “Christian influence” belongs in Christian churches, not in the US Constitution, nor the Florida Constitution.
Agreed!
Christian values are what this country was built on and made it so great.
But these values are not exclusively Christian. Many other groups of people, both religious and secular, recognize many of the same values as Christians do.
Ingrid, I so often here Christian’s make the same ludicrous statement as yourself. This is what we end up with when people are raised with a myopic delusional scope of the world. Here are three simple quotes from “real” individuals in our history who shaped our government.
1) JOHN ADAMS with the Treaty of Tripoli
“As the government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion”
2) THOMAS JEFFERSON
“That our civil rights has no dependence on our religious opinions”
3) FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion”
JP below correctly touched on part of this. Unfortunately, facts, science, laws of physics and history have given way to fantasy, folklore and delusion thinking. Religions could not function without the latter. Its difficult to have a rational discussion when one party’s premis is based on fantasy because, like a cartoon, anything is possible in a fantasy.
Yes, Ingred, I agree with you. We need to go back to our roots!
no nation should be solely built on one religion, @ingrid. before the settlers came and took over the North American territories please tell me what religion the American Indians & Canadian Indians followed, because that’s when our nations were great
Actually this country was already occupied by the native Americans. Christian values is your values not mine. We live in different times what was ok 200 years ago might not be ok now.
Actually ingrid this country was founded and built on the principle that there would be religious freedom for all. Look back in history all of the religious groups that moved to North America moved to escape religious persecution in Europe. Those same groups were the ones that founded the United States of America and seperated from England. Our country was founded on the basis of freedom and it should stay that way for all.
yes it was!
This will open the door to ALL groups and religions seeking govt aid to fund thier cause. Sorry, I’m not interested in tax dollars helping Muslim, Buhddist, OR Christian institutions!! Whatever your denomination is, fund it yourselves!
“The Government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion.” – John Adams
“Christianity…(has become) the most perverted system that ever shone on man…Rogueries, absurdities and untruths were perpetrated upon the
teachings of Jesus by a large band of dupes and imposters led by Paul, the first great corruptor of the teachings of Jesus.” -Thomas Jefferson
“Religion and government will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together.” -James Madison
Actually, what the Constitution says is:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
This is set up to ensure that we all have the right to practice our own religion without threat or consequence from the Government.
There is much more to this amendment than school vouchers. If a low income family is receiving Government money to help them pay for day care, why shouldn’t they be able to choose a day care (or after school care) facility that has a religious affiliation?
they can choose whatever they want just NOT with my tax dollars
it is not the governments job to make sure a low income family can send their child to a religious daycare. money for assistance should only be allowed for strictly a daycare system. if you want a religious school then you should have to pay for it. Its not the responsibility of the tax payers or government to pay extra for you to get a religious affiliation. But churches and other religious affiliations should not have access to government or taxpayer funds. Its as simple as that government stays separate from the church don’t like it move back to england
why should they?
taxpayer money should go to people that pay taxes. Also, government money leads to goverment influence. This proposition is bad for both freedom of religion and freedom from religion. Whether or not it’s constitutional, it’s a bad idea…
Because religious organizations do not pay taxes and are not considered non-profit. If you do not contribute to the system you should not be asking for handouts. If the churches want to take money from the people who do pay taxes, then they should pay taxes themselves. What’s fair is fair.
M the current version of Article I Section 3 is the result of Protestant anti-Catholic prejudice.
Most opponents of Amendment 8 are anti-Catholic protestants.
If you go look at the list of pastors who joined the lawsuit against the amendment, they are almost all protestants.
The separation of church and state is clearly stated as a goal by founder Thomas Jefferson for a simple and sensible reason. If you allow religion to dictate – by political influence or financial influence – what citizens must believe or fund then you find yourself on the slippery slope of theocracy. If you wonder what possibly might be wrong with that then think Taliban. If you propose allowing this for Baptists or Catholics or whatever then you absolutely have allowed radical Islam as well. You cannot discriminate against one particular religion. Think about it.
No one ever claimed the exact wording “separation of church and state” is in the Constitution. It is there implicitly. And it is confirmed in many writings by the founding fathers contemporaneous to the Constitution… explicitly. This has been confirmed by the Supreme Court which is the final arbiter of Constitutional questions. Many of the founders might have been Christian, but we are by no means a “Christian nation” in the sense that Iran is an Islamic Republic. I agree, Amendment 8 is contrary to the Constitution as it would open the door for government to subsidize (establish) a favored religion. Freedom of religion means nothing if it does not include freedom FROM religion. If you have a problem understanding this concept, think of the US reaching a point in the future where Muslims are more than 50% of our population. Then, prayers to Allah three times a day would be mandated in public schools. Including your children and grandchildren. How would you like that?
TO ANSWER THIS, THEY ALREADY ARE I HAD TO GO TO MY SONS SCHOOL TWO WEEKS AGO BECAUSE THE TEACHER BROUGHT A QURAN INTO CLASS AS THEY WERE STUDING ABOUT THE MUSLIM RELIGION. OKAY SO I ASK WHY AS CHRISTIANITY WAS TAKEN OUT OF SCHOOL SO NOW WHY WAS THIS ALLOWED. I WAS TOLD AFTER MAKING CALLS TO DIFFERENT AUTHORITIES AND LOOKING AT THE BOOKS THAT FLORIDA PICKED OUT FOR OUR KIDS TO LEARN OUT OF. THE MUSLIM RELIGION IS ALL THROUGH THERE IT IS NOW A REQUIRED STANDARD IN WORLD HISTORY. WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW WHEN THE STANDARD WERE REVISED…….TRY 2008. THINK ABOUT IT. SO WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN EFFECTED.
@T YOUR YELLING HAS TOTALLY CONVINCED ME!
Steven, the “separation of church and state” has always been used by the anti-Catholic protestant mobs to disguise their real agenda, impsoing protestant controlled “public” schools, originally called “common protestant” schools not public schools upon a nation.
The justices of the SCOTUS (1940′s-1990′s) anti-Catholic era used the “separation of church and state” misinterpretation of the first amendment’s establishment clause as a means of attacking and destroying the Catholic education system in the United States.
The extreme misinterpretation of the First Amendment’s establishment clause by those justices has been shown to be historically inaccurate over and over again. Indeed, the only way you can support such an extreme misinterpretation of the establishment clause, is if the the free exercise clause, the free speech clause, and the prohibition of a religious test act in the Constitution didn’t exist.
This has always been my concern. If we allow the state to subsidize religious institutions, it will force all of us (who pay taxes) to pay for the subsidizing.
The same goes for prayer in schools. I believe students should be allowed time to pray in school, but if you force the schools to take up prayer (actual prayer, like it used to be), who knows what it will end up looking like?
I can imagine having Hara Chrishna (SP) day, Buddhist day, Muslim day, etc. There are so many religions, you would not be able to pray in your own religion (as a student) very often, if at all.
From the wording of this amendment, I think it would be found unconstitutional. I am a Jesus loving Christian, but I am wary of pitfalls, and see the need to keep America separate from my Christian beliefs. Just give me the opportunity to worship, and allow my fellow believers to gather together when we wish, and to build churches. We’ll take care of the rest.
Your information is erronious. In 1898 in an opinion by the Supreme Court The United States of America was declared a Christian Nation. You should do your research before you publish.
Beautifully stated, especially “Freedom of religion means nothing if it does not include freedom FROM religion.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself Steven!
great point!
These are the words: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;”
and if you will read the actual writings of those men who wrote the constitution and the bill of rights, there is absolutely no doubt that they wanted “separation of church and state”. It is NO MYTH and how anyone cannot understand that vouchers to religious schools are “respecting an establishment of religion” is incomprehensible.
These are the words: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;”
and if you will read the actual writings of those men who wrote the constitution and the bill of rights, there is absolutely no doubt that they wanted “separation of church and state”. It is NO MYTH and vouchers to religious schools are “respecting an establishment of religion.” There are volumes of writings to show the founding fathers wanted to break away from the alignments between church and state that had existed in Europe in the 18th century. Patronage or what we today would call tax funds were near the top of their concerns.
Millions of Roman Catholics have paid twice for their kids’ educations – taxes for public school and then tuition or “donations” for RC schools in the past without asking for “vouchers” or property tax relief or exemption. Why should today be any different, other than the fact that public schools for the most part cost more and give less in return.
So then you’re also against an individual exercising religious freedom? This “separation of church and state” thing has become a prohibition of religion.
The vouchers were never intended to be handed to any religious organization or church….they are being given to a parent and letting the parent decide which school they want to send their kids to.
Allowing a parent to decide is a far cry from the government mandated religion our founding fathers were escaping from in the 18th century.
As you said, these are the words: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;”. Seems you’re just ignoring the “prohibiting the free exercise thereof” part.
To be against vouchers for religious reasons is to be against a parents right to do what they think is best for their own children by “prohibiting the free exercise thereof;”
If you want to argue against vouchers as taking money away from underfunded public schools and underpaid teachers, then do that. But don’t continue to thump your fist about the constitution, then try to justify prohibiting religious freedom.
Besides, this amendment is not about vouchers, and is not mandating any payments to religious organizations, it would just allow state funding in instances that would otherwise be allowed to non-religion based organizations, opening the doors to actually helping people up instead of keeping people down.
You are correct, that the “state” should stay out of the religion business.
I believe the state is a convenient way to teach children, since many parents can’t or don’t want to home school their kids. However, I draw the line when the federal govt. gets involved. Since when did they ever do any teaching? All they do is mandate the state schools to teach controversial subjects. If they want to do that at the state level, the state should make that determination, not the feds.
Your comment is falacious. The Constitution refers to preventing a state controlled church like Church of England they fled. If they had wanted the church and the government separated they would never made “in God we trust” our motto. Further, they would never required the Senate to be opened with prayer. In 1898 the Supreme Court resolved a suite by declaring America a Christian Nation. The separation of church and state is pure bunk from athiests and agnostics!
If the religion is already established, how can a law be made to respect its establishment? Just sayin…
That is a ridiculous statement. Allowing Florida residents to use their tax dollars to send their children to a religious school (any religion) is not respecting an establishment of religion. Its allowing people freedom to run their lives. Get a grip.
Proposal 8 is just the voucher system…taking money away from public school to fund private schools. It will hurt the kids that need it the most…I really hate that they’re trying to slide this through by naming it something they think everyone will agree with!!!!
The separation of church and state are in the bill of rights because many colonies supported one church or another. In Maryland, it was Catholicism. In New England, the Baptist religion was outlawed. And many villages, etc., collected church taxes as was (and still is) the practice in Europe (although you can opt out).
Thus, prior to the Constitution, you had the colonies establishing religion, and the founders intent (many of whom were Deist, and all of whom were “enlightened”) that state should be connected/tied in with any religion.
As Ben Franklin so eloquently stated: “The way to see by Faith is to shut the eye of Reason.”
What about schools other than Christian schools? Let’s not open this can of worms!
I can understand not directly funding Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc. schools but I cannot see preventing a school voucher recipient from picking the school they want their child to attend. If the chosen school requires a religious study the recipient should be free to not make the choice of that particular school. The funding goes to the student’s family, not tho the school.
Our forefather’s came to this country to get away from the religious idealogies, bickering and warfare over religion. They decided to separate church and state. In Europe, people were crusading with one hand on the bible and one hand on the sword. They still are today. Religion causes war. It has in the past and it still is!
Religious organizations are already tax exempt! Why should we grant them any additional monies? If they want access to the public trough, then let them PAY TAXES!
Not unconstitional, and valid to have on the ballot for the people to decide. I support Amendment 8. The state funds many charatible organizations, and ones who help feed the poor, clothe the needy, and educate the marginalized should not be discriminated against because they are also religious.
That’s why they are tax exempt…now they wish to also receive public funds. Who decides which religion is funded and what they use their funds to accomplish? We don’t need any more religious power struggles.
There is the first problem, let’s rewrite the Constitution
Wouldn’t this amendment also allow other religions, not only christianity, to recieve money from the state to provide programs. It seems like a perfect storm for a slipery slope.
I agree! Amendments 8 and 6 are completely and utterly unconstitutional.
Thank you!
I am a veteran and am proud to be an American. I don’t need a few dollars to
“reward” my service; serving my country was enough. I’m against ALL tax
exemptions; this is one reason we’re in the tax hole we are now suffering.
Florida’s legislature is still living in the 1950′s. They should all grow up or
go find other jobs.
I like you’re thinking Cam….and thanks for your service, by the way.
Good man! I am a vet also and I totally agree.
Thank you Cam for your service and I do appreciate your self reliability. I however feel, that the country does not do enough for it’s veterans. And I and hope others would be as willing as me to fund more programs for Vets (increased or better medical coverage, survivor benefits for spouses and especially children).
I don’t know, John. Wouldn’t allowing tax exemption hit these veterans in almost every other publicly funded service entitled to them?
Tax exemptions became necessary when taxes started to climb out of sight. People who lived in rural or modest areas were being forced to sell and move. Our State and Country are in Tax-Holes because they spend too much on projects, programs and things we don’t need or that they have no business creating. When the State creates a Dept. to tackle a task it should be desolved the minute the task is complete. That doesn’t happen. I know i am over-simplifying the deeds, but I am for every tax break we can “get”. The State needs to dust and clean out every “wasteful program” it can find. The more $$ it gets, the more it spends, the more it needs to get again. We are taxed and double-taxed to death. Enough! Government is “broke” and must say no; to over-spending and over-taxing.
I am also a veteran, and I love America, too. I also believe there should be no deductions.
If someone owns a $50,000 home, with homestead deductions today, they don’t pay property taxes, leaving more of a burden on the rest of us.
Talk about paying your “fair share”.
I too am a vet and also proud to be an American. That being said, the reason we are in a tax hole is due to over spending by government, both state an federal. Not due to exemptions. If both the Florida Legislature and feds spent as they did back in the 1950′s, we’d be fine.
As far as them growing up or finding other jobs…..I agree.
Excellent info! It helped a lot.
Think with your head, not your heart. Remember, any time you give someone a break on taxes, you have to pick up the slack.
THANKS FOR GIVING US SUCH GOOD INFO. NOW IT’S EASY TO DECIDE WHAT I WANT TO DO.
Very informative.
Remember these are Florida constitutional amendments and are difficult to repeal.Most appear to reduce revenue.The Federal Constitution enforces the separation of Church and State. One proposed amenment is unconstitutional and appears to violate patient privacy-and will also cost the taxpayers a lot money to defend.
Harriett, there is nothing in the US Constitution about “Separation of Church and State”. That phrase is a fallacy and is used to argue that government and religious institutions should never work with one another, in any capacity. What the Constitution does say is that the government shall not establish and official, State religion, nor should it prevent others from freely exercising their chosen Religion. Places of worship provide many services to communities apart from their main mission. Many provide food and shelter to the needy. Others provide far superior education compared to public schools. If providing no financial benefit and / or “Separation of Church and State” really were in the Constitution then places of worship wouldn’t receive things like tax exempt status, be used as polling places on Election Day, etc.
Amendment 8 would lead to continued loss of funding for public education and allow more schools that dont have standardized evaluation or curriculum to be created eventually leading to a dumber country. Vote no on cuts to public education vote no on giving public funds to private churches vote no on amendment 8. Probably a good idea to vote no on all of these amendments proposed by so called conservatives which seeks to change the constitution to see their world view on others.
not
While I agree with your statement about church-state separation not being in the U.S. Constitution, there is something wrong with the math. With falling state revenues, state infrastructure in decay, a failing education system, should the state be giving money from the state revenues to any party, religious or not, for charitable services? If the legislators haven’t done a very good job fixing the problems of the state, should the people be on the hook for their “feel good fix,” that seems like a mandated distraction?
Keep in mind that religious charities offer services in a more cost effective manner than most govt programs. Funding efficient private charities are a reasonable way for the govt to provide services. Why do people think that only govt programs should be the service providers.
Right on, Jim!
To your first comment, I don’t want my taxes to be used by the state to fund or help any particular religion. I also disagree with your second comment that religious institutions provide a far superior education than public schools. As a public school teacher I find your comment demeaning to my educational accomplishments and the quality of teaching that I do.
These are changes to OUR CONSTITUTION. They should NOT be taken lightly. I feel we need to turn the question around and see how we feel about it, if the “other’ side is in power, or if “someone’ else gets to use these benefits. For example, those christians who would like to teach their children that the earth is 6,000 years old would like my tax payer dollars to pay for their school. They need to ask themselves how they would react to tax payer funds going to support a Buddhist school, or a Muslim school. If they are truly ok with this then they really want that amendment for the good of ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA. If they ARE NOT ok with that, then they want us to change our constitution for their own self serving purposes, and the amendment deserves a NO vote.
You seem to have left out the part about “these, they and their” are already paying for your children to attend public school in addition to what they pay to give their children a Christian education. So…If they are paying for yours why shouldn’t you be paying for theirs ? It’s all about $$$ State funds schools by the number of students. Therefore public schools are not getting to count these “Christian” kids who are being educated elsewhere but their parents are still paying school taxes for yours.
I am “truly ok” with anyone regardless of religion, that wants to provide education… Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Catholic, Agnostic… who cares…give kids/parents a choice. If it’s a bad curriculum then parents won’t send kids there and the school will fail on it’s own accord. ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA should want the ability to choose what is best for their family, not what a government thinks is best for their family.
If a muslim parent, or a buddhist parent wants to use THEIR tax dollars to send THEIR kids to a school of THEIR choosing, I as a Christian, don’t have a problem with that. Why do you?
If you are completely against all religious freedom, then definitely vote “No”.
If you are for individual freedoms, then vote “yes”.
Dimitri, sorry to disagree, but without a doubt the private schools, of all denominations, provide a far better education. Perhaps your public school is better, but the kids are failing even the most rudimentary English and Math tests in most of the big city schools. Many graduate not even being able to read at better than a 3rd grade level. True the parents of these kids aren’t helping. I went to a Catholic school and I was so far ahead of my public school friends it was laughable. I would like to see a voucher system. Unfortunately, kids who want to learn and who’s parents are involved, would jump on the opportunity, while the kids headed for trouble with no parental support would likely remain in the troubled public schools. Then the public schools would truly be full of problem kids with problem parents and being a good teacher would not help.
Private schools have the option of not accepting everyone who applies. Public schools do not have that option, nor can they dismiss someone who doesn’t follow their rules except y a suspension which is only temproary. I believe if they expel a student, the taxpayers have to fund another educational opportunity for said student. That’s just one of the reasons that private schools can produce beter results. The can send their ‘unwanted’ to the public schools who had to accept them. I’m not against private or religious school. I’m just replying to your dissing of public education.
I went to both public and private (catholic) schools growing up, and I found them equally good or bad, depending on the teachers. However, the public school system was established to ensure that all children had access to a quality education, if you continue to take funds away from the public school system it will of course continue to deteriorate. Saying that all private schools offer a better education doesn’t measure up when compared on a national level. We may need to look at problems that exist in our school systems, and all work to improve the results that the students need to succeed, but let us not pass laws that are unconstitutional that will destroy the great american legacy that most of us grew up in. Remember the countries that we are competing against have excellent public school systems, and I believe that we can compete with these countries, if we demand from parents, teachers and school boards the cooperation that is needed. We must also be willing to pay the best wages for quality teachers and expect them to maintain a high quality of certification in their field. In summary, send your children to religious schools, if you want, but not at the expense of the public school system.
Wrong. Many charter schools use education funding for other purposes.
In our area, they have television commercials. As a charter school, where does the advertising budget come from? Our son attended that school, and the best I could guess, the funds came from the budget for books and desks, as both were lacking in the classrooms of 30+ students on average.
There should be a constitutional provision prohibiting charter schools from using tax dollars for advertising (television or radio). But that won’t happen with our legislature.
As for religious schools, I attend one in the early 70′s in Jacksonville. My parents pulled my sister and me out when they started preaching that Winn Dixie was in league with Satan because the Universal Price Code and register scanners were the advent of the “Mark of the Beast,” where no one without the mark would be able to trade or buy goods.
Sadly, that school is still “teaching” children.
I AGREE WITH YOU
Dimitri, I agree that religious based groups should not receive any help from federal or state moneys. It is a proven fact that privately funded schools give a better education than public schools, if only for there limited class sizes and there ability to make more progressive classes, and upto date educational material.
I like all of the charitable work that the churches do with the money that is donated to them by the parishioners. Although there is NOT a separation of church and state clause in the U.S. Constitution, and everyone is worried about using taxpayer dollars for various religious affiliations, I look at it from the other side. My fear is that if a religious organization takes taxpayer money, then there will be strings attached. The independence of the church could possibly be either compromised or unduly influenced by the governmental powers that be..
Well said!
In the Constitution, there is neither anything about the separation of Church and State, nor is there anything there about enforcing it. You are greatly mistaken. The separation of Church and State is propaganda from athiest and agnostic groups. It is taken out of context from a comment made by Thomas Jefferson. He was referring to the Church of England.
Yes. Amendment 6 completely violates patient privacy laws. Especially when there are laws *already* in place to ban public funding of abortion. This is another way to strip women of their rights.
Thank You so much for this information. Amendments are written so we the people can not understand what they say. You have put this in a way that is easy to understand.
Thank you for non-partisan information. A wonderful site. Best kept secret in Florida!
I wish it wasn’t a secret. How many folks are going to head to the polls ill-informed and not even knowing everything that will be on the ballot?
Fantastic resource, especially for overseas voters like myself. I’ll be sure to share it with friends and family!
As a military member stationed outside of Fl. during an election year, your website was a great help in filling my absentee ballot. now if you had one for the candidates? I research each election who is listed on the ballots, ie: history, votes yeas/neys,trouble in office,etc. and without hearing one tv or radio ad good or bad for the people running to make my decision. I hope I choose well to help out my town for when I leave/retire from the military to come back to a place I helped make better.
Reply to Fred D:
Although I’m not sure, I think that the Collins Center has no info on candidates similar to the proposed constitutional amendments. I’ll share a few links that I located while looking for info. Maybe they will be helpful.
Candidates -
Supreme Court Justices:
1) http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/3-state-high-court-justices-make-case-to-stay-on-b/nSPKD/
2) http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/florida-justices-under-attack-for-ruling-that-turned-on-defense-attorneys/1253953
3) http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403455/matt-dixon/2012-09-28/cops-firefighters-formally-oppose-political-attacks
Soil and Water Conservation official:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/election-2012-palm-beach-county-soil-and-water-con/nSNfj/
More on amendments:
1) http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/2012-proposed-constitutional-amendments/nN8rj/
2) http://www.thefloridavoter.org/resources/issues/2012-constitutional-amendments
3) http://www.politifact.com/florida/partnerships/florida-amendments/
P.S. – Thanks for serving in the military, especially at such a trying time.
Fred, I hope your ballot and those of your mates are counted and not “lost” until December or something like the 2008 election. Thanks for your service. One of my grandsons is serving the US Army so you know where I’m coming from.
thank you for presenting clearly the meanings of a “yes” or “no” vote on the Florida amendments. It becomes increasingly evident that what I assume the meanings to be when I read the amendments are all to often incorrect. This has been a great help.
I am a 1st time voter and the amendments had my head spinning. Thank you so much for this very useful information. I feel much more confident in my decisions. God Bless!
What a pleasure to be confronted with a presentation so impartial that it forces us to actually think about what we are voting for. I haven’t seen information this complete since I left the California League of Women Voters pamphlets behind 30 years ago. Thank you.
I believe that all of the tax relief proposals should be legislative issues and not “Amendments to the Constitution.” Likewise for Amendment 12. As for the others, examine your beliefs and vote accordingly.
Remenber, be careful what you wish for. These amendments can come into your personal life.
Beautiful…..thank you for providing this non-partison explanation of the amendments, so that we can make the best decisions for our future. I work with a group of citizens who want to get to the truth and make a positive lean forward difference in our community.
To all Florida residents that want to prevent more destruction that our governor and GOP legislation have already done to the citizens. VOTE NO ON ALL AMENDMENTS. NO NO NO NO.
I agree with Francine!
PLEASE VOTE NO ON ALL THESE PROPOSALS–NO, NO, NO!
To arbitrarily vote no without giving serious consideration is immature!
Well I think the students should have a say on what is going on in the decisions about their education. A NO would not get that.
That is the problem with blanket assumptions like the one you gave. Obviously despite the fact that you are on this web site I doubt you even read the amendments or the explinations involved. Thus defeating the very purpose of this site, which is to explain what your vote would do on EACH individual amendment. Not just the slate. Please Francine and Mary, reconsider and read the amendments and don’t just spout off retoric.
Francine you are correct. Please vote no, no, no!!
Thanks – great website for a Floridian out of state.
Very informative, this website should be more widely publicized. Until this morning I was totally uninformed about it’s existance. I have been telling everyone on my mail list that they need to “get informed and get involved”. This government is supposed to be “of the people and by the people”. Under this administration we have neither, we are loosing our freedom at an alarming rate. If you want to find out how bleak it is, look at the executive orders that have been signed in the past 3 years 10 months!!
I like to be an informed voter. Your summary of the amendments will help me go to the polls better prepared. Thanks
IMO…if Amend 8 passes then “ALL” religious organizations could request financial assistance…”ALL”!!! Is that what we want? I say absolutely NOT!!!!
Really, that’s all we need is to give Scientology money from the government!!!!
Alright, let’s not start bashing others religions. Let’s just agree not to pay for them. We need less organized religion and more individual soul-searching. We need ethics.
Right on, Mark, and that’s exactly the reason for the First Amendment. We should all be free to worship, or not, in our own ways, in our own beliefs, without any government telling us how.
Because once the government takes religious sides, everyone else loses. See pre-WWI Europe. See the Middle East from 2000 years ago until today.
Choose Free!
Your statement is totally incorrect. Only those facilities providing social services to the public are elligible.
Thank You !!!!!!
We have a duty as voting citizens to be informed, and I do mean INFORMED, as to what we are voting for. Right on Francine, It’s no for me…..
Thank you. This site was extremely helpful. The Amendments are so difficult to understand, this site helped me to understand the terminology so I can make and educated decision. I also appreciate that it is completely unbiased I am so tired of everyone’s opinion or what the “think” the amendments will. We all need to make our own decisions by doing our own research!!
The League of Women Voters said vote NO on ALL amendments. The Florida Constitution is no place for changes like these. Instead of doing their jobs by taking a stand and passing legislation on these issues, the legislature is passing the buck to us. The answer is easy, JUST SAY NO.
Thanks for the plain english explanations. There will be a lot of confusion and frustration as voters read through the ballots in the booth. I think some will not even bother. I fear many will leave as the lines don’t move.
Why did they make it all so complicated to begin with?
Thanks for your work on this site. While I do not have 100% agreement with your analysis, it is a good point of beginning to understand what is going on. I support “states’ rights” and the Republican tenent to stop growth of the Federal Government. If this comes to pass, the State has to have resources to take over some of what the Feds step away from.
Many thanks for the non-partisan amendment info. Exactly what my wife and I were looking for to fll out our absentee ballots.
The constitutional amendments are a feeble attempt by the pathetic legislature to continue along the Tea Party Rick Scott assault on democracy. Any constitutional amendments emanating from this crew should be soundly rejected.
FYI the form of government in America is, and has always been, a republic not a democracy. Democracy is the worst form of government because it is rule by majority vote. If the majority votes to behead everyone named David to help the unemployment and social services problems, as in the French revolution you die. In a Republic we are governed by the rule of law. Executing Davids is illegal. Thank God we’re a Republic.
Excellent point David!
Thank you for providing a clear description of the pending amendments. I now understand the issues and the pros and cons of each.
I do believe that for the need of the community the churches could take a greater role if the government would not put restrictions on them. I don’t know that we can say that we do not have a history of working with churches as they are tax exempt and the Clergy get tax benefits.
I understand Churches are tax excempt but I’m not aware of any tax benefits to the Clergy, can you explain?
Great idea. Thank you.
Judy
this is great i can vote being able to know what the amendment are and stand for because out leaders dont now how to read them thanks
I can’t help but wonder what these folks who are trying to use public money for religious schools are going to say when a Muslim school asks for their share of these funds? Ought to be interesting.
To my knowledge schools are not eligable to receive government funds. Only those religeous groups that furnish social services are eligible.
With all the ‘oh, my religion is being attacked’ nonsense out of the way, has anybody noticed Amendment 5? Now that’s worth taking a stand against.
Why? The Senate in Washington approves all supreme court nominees. That prevents a president from using the appointment as a form of patronage.
I agree with Francine and Mary. Has anybody else consistently noticed themselves voting “no” on these proposed amendments? No, don’t tell me. Hehe, voting humor.
Thanks for the unbiased opions.
Not of these amendments are necessary or needed. Most if not all of these could be passed by the legistature as laws. That is if they would do the jobs they were elected to do.
The League of Woman voters oppose all of these amendments….enough reason for me to vote FOR all of them.
How they can even vote against a spouse of a soldier killed in action getting a break on their property taxes shows me who they are.
So….you’re voting purely based on bias and emotions and ignoring any semblance of gathering information and making a knowledgable choice? Okay then.
I just wish to thank you for all the information. Without it I would be lost on election day as I’m sure most folks will be. Please keep up the good work for years to come. We need you.
Thank you for the breakdown on the 11 proposed amendments to the FL constitution. This information was EXTREMELY helpful. In the future, could you also include summary information on the other options on the voting ballot? Such as the choices for the Board of County Commissioners, the FL Supreme Court Justices, the District Court of Appeal, and the referedum option at the end of the proposed 11 amendments. Thank you again though for the legalese translation!
The information was helpful. I also received a lot of help from another web site: http://www.KrisAnneHall.com. She has made available a 2012 Florida Amendment Voter Guide that helped me to better understand the effects of passing amendments vs. statutes (laws enacted by the legislature). Kris is an attorney, and also a teacher of the Constitution. She has reviewed each amendment, and informed as to the effect that each amendment would have on Florida residents. It is extremely informative, and helpful to me as a FL voter.
Thanks for your info; it was really handy for voters! I’ts atrocious that ballots put in such loonnggg amendments, especially for those who are seniors! At least the state should put your site on the ballot so people can better undertand than the gobbledegook that speak in legalees! How can we expect toget citizens to vote when they have to face this kind of ballot! How many lines will there be if everyone goes into the polls to vote and has to read each amendment! There’s got to be a better way—and your site that puts the amendments in sinple terms is a darn good start. (If the legal jargon is necessary (by law) then there should be a brief handout to go with the ballots—or else people will just not answer those important amendments when they vote, IF they vote at all!
Judge, your my new election hero. Thanks for your valuable service to the voters. (Your site should at least appear on Lori Scott’s site under “Miscellaneous Sites” or “Voting Help” URLs.
As a new resident of Florida ,I found it hard to find an unbiased discussion on the lengthy amendments. Thank you for your information.Hope voter turnout is good.
Thank you for this website to clarify all these Amendments. It helps one to be a intelligent voter.
Thanks so much for the website and truly impartial information.
Your explanations were wonderful and a big help! Thank you.
Thanks to the Collins Center for summarizing these difficult amendments and giving us a chance to comment.
What is most important is that we read, we understand, and we vote. All of us.
God Bless us, every one!
I agree with most of you about NO for these amendments , they aren’t necessary.
Please VOTE!
When I was Air Attaché in Russia 1995-97 and 1999-2001, one of my most welcome duties was to serve as an accredited foreign diplomatic observer of Russian elections in Moscow and Krasnoyarsk. Each polling station I visited had a copy of the then-new Russian Constitution posted on the wall over a table. Many voters laid a red flower–the same flower they traditionally leave at graves of soldiers, cosmonauts, great poets, artists, and other national heroes–on the table as a gesture of pride in their country and its long, often painful, and far too often bloody history.
These elections I saw were the first time in a THOUSAND YEARS of Russian history that all Russians truly had a voice in choosing their national leaders, and the turnout was well above NINETY percent. It saddens me, having served our own wonderful country for thirty years, that so many Americans pass up this priceless opportunity to shape our future and, indeed, the future of our entire world.
Dear friends, we may disagree on matters of policy or on the people we would choose to lead us; it’s hard to get large numbers of Americans to agree on ANYTHING. But almost all of us can agree that this is one wonderful place to live, one so wonderful that countless folks in countless places all over our lonely little planet wish to their countless gods that they had been born in America. Thousands of brave, hopeful souls perish every year, risking everything trying to come to America and give their children a better life than they’ve known.
Let us celebrate all we have, honoring the legions who have given their lives for this right and thinking long and hard about the lives we want for our great-grandchildren. You can probably vote today or soon in your state, so make time somewhere between now and Election Day to strike your own blow for freedom and history. Individually we are not so great, but with our votes we together have forged an awesome nation and a mighty force for freedom and justice in the world.
Thanks for reading. And for voting.
Hal Rhoads
Colonel, United States Air Force (Retired)
What if government had to get our vote on each issue to use our tax dollars! We could choose each of us how our contribution was spent and it would be mandatory that we don’t borrow from other countries or spend more than is collected. We would also approve/disapprove any raises in taxes. Thank you Collins center for your clarification of these amendments.
Thank you for the clarification of these ballot measures. It is far clearer than the written measure. It is appreciated and helped inform my vote.
I say tax the churches in this country. Too many ‘off beat’ store front preachers taking major tax advantages for preaching their version of the bible. We need separation of church and state. It is in the constitution and that is why our forefathers left England- to get away from religion’s grasp.
We are all equal in this country and hiding behind a church in order to stay clear from taxes needs to stop.
Vote NO, NO, NO, NO and NO again to Ammendments 1-5 ! Vote yes to retain all justices.
Amend#1 – Still MISSING the point that health care services is NOT INSURANCE. Yes, our government might want to be in the arena of health care SERVICE because “pursuit of happiness” is in our US Constitution & we do need a certain amount of health for all of our people. If Canada can do it, we sure as heck should be able to figure out how to cover ALL our citizens with basic health care SERVICES. When the person’s health goes beyond that, that is when PRIVATE (business & groups) INSURANCE raises its money-head.
Re: Amendment 8
Funding for religious programs, institutions, schools, etc. doesn’t automatically mean Christian. Those who favor Amend. 8 in furtherance of their Christian values may have a different response when a Muslim school seeks State funds for running a madrasah, or atheists ask for funding of an anti-religious program. Use your imagination. If you don’t want others to receive State funding, then don’t ask it for yourself.
Thank you for the clarity. I have been researching these amendments and found you to be the most informative. Also, Florida is not backward. Some just cannot handle the responsibility that is required to be a free republic.
The amendment 6 and 8 should be Yes yes Yes.
Thanks for the information, especially the reasoning for and against these proposed amendments. The comments are helpful and interesting too.
This was extemely clear and helpful information. I am wondering why my Sample Ballot in Sarasota County did not show this entire list of amendments, but rather only one amendment. I would never have known to research this list if a friend had not referred me to your website.
Thank You: This article has been a great help in clearing up many questions and confusions for me regarding these amendments. I appreciate the unbiased explanations along with the biased replies which are almost as helpful. Anyway well done.
Do we really want these as part of the constitution. These should be dealt with my the legislators. VOTE, NO!
A very well timed offering. My thanks to a friend that found this and thought enough of me to send it on. A well done piece that gives you both perspectives to really make an educated decision that can impact us all for years to come.
No matter what your point of view, this is a very helpful informational site.
It greatly helped clarify some of the confusing issues.
Great page !!!
Helped me get out of the confusion generated by a “long confusing ballot ”
Thanks
Glad to see these are unbiased and simply say what they will do. That said, I am definitely voting yes for #1. We shouldn’t be forced to pay for health insurance.
The First amendment however has this clause:
The “establishment of religion” clause of the First Amendment means at least this: Neither a state nor the federal government can set up a church. Neither can pass laws which aid one religion, aid all religions, or prefer one religion over another. Neither can force nor influence a person to go to or to remain away from church against his will or force him to profess a belief or disbelief in any religion. No person can be punished for entertaining or professing religious beliefs or dis-beliefs, for church attendance or non-attendance. No tax in any amount, large or small, can be levied to support any religious activities or institutions, whatever they may be called, or whatever form they may adopt to teach or practice religion. Neither a state nor the Federal Government can, openly or secretly, participate in the affairs of any religious organizations or groups and vice versa. In the words of Jefferson, the clause against establishment of religion by law was intended to erect “a wall of separation between church and State.”
VOTE NO ON ALL TEN .
What about the last one? :b Just joshin’ ya.
If you look it up the Florida League of Women Voters haas rejected all eleven constitutional amendments . I did a check on them and I found an article in the Gulf
Breeze News. Usually they do not get overly involved with things like this, but they feel that they are to complex, uncessary, just misleading and confusing. This is a great site.http://collinscenter.org/2012flamendments/wp-admin/edit-comments.php?paged=4#comments-form
I’m so glad I read each individual amendment, so that I can have a better understanding of what is in my best interest. I actually didn’t know of this link until I called the elections office to explain one of the amendments and they directed me to their website. Thank you elections bureau for putting this info in layman’s terms. I wish all voters were required to read the breakdown of the amendments before be able to vote on them.
This is a great service, for which I am very thankful. In only a few places was I confused. For the most part, the explanations are clear and detailed, and the history behind the legislation is a big help.
THIS WEBSITE WAS SO HELPFUL, IT BROKE IT DOWN TO A MORE UNDERSTANDING LEVEL IN WHICH ONE COULD MAKE THE BEST CHOICE POSSIBLE. THANKS!
Thank you for providing this clear explaination of the FL amendments. My husband and I received our absentee ballots in the mail and couldn’t understand any of them they way they were written. This publication is the best one I’ve found online and will serve as our cheat sheet in helping us make our decisions.
Excellent and useful information for my desicion making process, wich is a NO to each and every one of them. I am very shocked this state is seriously putting these issues into the constitution, throwing 237 years of democratic progress out the window.
What is next? Voting segregation back into the Florida constitution?
Thanks for the clarity…I’m certainly voting “no” on each and every one. Picking tax/revenue winners all on the side of the christian right.