Omar Bennett
The Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a unique 37-member commission that meets every 20 years to propose changes to the Florida Constitution. The CRC has faced criticism and calls for its abolishment, with opponents arguing that it gives too much power to the current political establishment and that its members are not held accountable. However, others believe that the CRC provides an important pathway for Floridians to amend their constitution and that reforms can address the issues. In 2022, Amendment 2, which proposed abolishing the CRC, was defeated, with 54% of voters supporting the measure, short of the required 60% supermajority. This paragraph introduces the topic of whether the Constitution Revision Commission in Florida should be abolished, presenting both sides of the argument and providing relevant context and details.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of proposal to abolish | 2022 |
| Name of proposal | Amendment 2 |
| Voter support | 54% |
| Voter support required for approval | 60% |
| Number of amendments proposed by 2017-18 CRC | 8 |
| Number of lawsuits against the amendments | 7 |
| Number of CRC members | 37 |
| Frequency of CRC convening | Every 20 years |
| Next CRC | 2037 |
| Arguments for abolishing | The CRC has no rules, members have no experience, and it places unrelated propositions in one amendment. |
| Arguments against abolishing | Abolishing the CRC would further diminish direct democracy and citizen voice in state governance. |
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What You'll Learn
- The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is the only method of constitutional amendment that allows compounding
- The CRC is bipartisanly detested
- The CRC is a vehicle for the people of Florida to input into state governance
- The CRC provides an important pathway for the people of Florida to amend their constitution
- The CRC meets once every 20 years
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is the only method of constitutional amendment that allows compounding
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a 37-member commission that meets once every 20 years to review and propose changes to the Florida Constitution. The CRC is unique in that it is the only body that can refer constitutional amendments directly to the ballot for a public vote. This process is known as "compounding", where unrelated propositions are placed in a single amendment that voters must then approve or reject as a whole.
The CRC was established in 1968 to modernize the Florida Constitution, which had become increasingly difficult to update. The commission has convened three times so far, in 1977-78, 1997-98, and 2017-18. While the CRC is intended to propose nominal revisions to streamline the constitution, critics argue that it has overstepped its mandate by proposing unrestrained amendments. These amendments are often influenced by special interest groups and can be confusing, misleading, or bundled with unrelated issues.
Despite these concerns, abolishing the CRC would have drawbacks. It provides an important avenue for Floridians to amend their constitution directly, bypassing the legislature. Recent measures have already made it more challenging and costly for citizens to initiate constitutional changes. Removing the CRC would further reduce direct democracy and empower the legislature, which has a history of enacting measures that diminish citizens' voices.
Instead of abolition, reforms have been suggested to improve the CRC. These include requiring single-issue ballot measures to prevent bundling and improving the appointment process to ensure the commission is bipartisan and representative of the three branches of government. Such reforms could address the issues arising from the 2017-18 CRC while preserving a valuable mechanism for citizen input in constitutional amendments.
In conclusion, while the CRC has faced criticism for its handling of amendment proposals, it remains a vital tool for direct democracy in Florida. By allowing compounding, the CRC provides a unique avenue for citizens to propose and vote on constitutional changes. Through thoughtful reforms, the benefits of the CRC can be retained while mitigating the potential for abuse or overreach.
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The CRC is bipartisanly detested
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) of 2017-2018 was the third convening of the commission, following its establishment in 1968. The CRC referred eight constitutional amendments to the 2018 ballot, of which seven were approved by voters. However, seven of these amendments were also involved in lawsuits, with allegations of bundling multiple subjects into single amendments and the use of inaccurate or misleading ballot language.
The CRC has faced criticism from both sides of the political aisle. Republican Senator Jeff Brandes, sponsor of Amendment 2, stated that the CRC "is bipartisanly detested and should be abolished". Brandes highlighted the lack of rules and experience among commission members, arguing that they are not held accountable to anyone. He also mentioned that Florida is the only state with such a commission, and that it denies Floridians the opportunity to hold individuals accountable. State Representative Mike Beltran, also a Republican, shared similar sentiments, adding that the CRC's ability to place amendments directly on the ballot results in too many policy matters being included in the Constitution.
The effort to abolish the CRC has gained some support from Democrats as well. In the State Senate vote on the proposal, three Democrats voted in favor, while 13 opposed it. In the State House, 11 Democrats voted in favor, with 28 against. While some Democrats, such as Senator Darryl Rouson, have expressed a preference for improving the CRC rather than abolishing it, the bipartisan nature of the criticism highlights a level of dissatisfaction with the commission from both major parties.
Despite the criticism, there are also those who argue against abolishing the CRC. Carol Weissert, a retired political science professor at Florida State University, stated that abolishing the CRC would restrict people's ability to make changes to the Constitution. She suggested that reforms could be made to improve the process, such as eliminating "bundling" by imposing a single-subject rule on amendments. Common Cause, a non-profit organisation, also recommended voting against Amendment 2, citing the importance of the CRC as a vehicle for Floridians to provide input into state governance. They argued that abolishing the CRC would result in more power being invested in the legislature, which could lead to further measures that diminish the voices of citizens.
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The CRC is a vehicle for the people of Florida to input into state governance
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a 37-member commission that meets every 20 years to propose changes to the Florida Constitution. The CRC is unique to Florida, as it is the only state with a commission that can refer constitutional amendments directly to the ballot for a public vote. The CRC's ability to bypass the House or Senate and put items directly on the ballot provides an important pathway for the people of Florida to amend their constitution and have their voices heard.
The CRC was established in 1968 after a long period during which modernizing the Florida Constitution had been extremely difficult. The CRC has convened three times, in 1977-78, 1997-98, and 2017-18. While the proposals of the 1977-78 CRC did not pass initially, several were passed by Florida voters in later years. Eight of the nine proposals of the 1997-98 CRC were passed by voters, and seven of the eight measures of the 2017-18 CRC were approved by voters.
The CRC is composed of members appointed by the governor, House and Senate leaders, and the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court. The CRC considers proposed amendments from standing committees and the public. If at least 10 commissioners agree to hear a public amendment, the full commission can vote on whether to further consider the amendment. At least 59.5% of commissioners must vote in favor of a proposed amendment for it to be referred to the ballot.
Despite the successes of the CRC in getting amendments passed, there have been calls to abolish the commission. Critics argue that the CRC bundles multiple subjects into single amendments, leading to voter confusion and a lack of accountability. However, abolishing the CRC would remove a vehicle for direct democracy and citizen input in state governance, investing more power in the legislature. Instead of abolishing the CRC, reforms have been suggested to improve the appointment process and ensure the commission is bipartisan, with more balanced influence from the governor, legislature, and supreme court.
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The CRC provides an important pathway for the people of Florida to amend their constitution
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a 37-member commission that meets every 20 years to propose changes to the Florida Constitution. The CRC is unique to Florida, as it is the only state with a commission that can refer constitutional amendments directly to the ballot for a public vote. The CRC provides an important pathway for the people of Florida to amend their constitution and participate in state governance.
The CRC has been criticised for its handling of the 2017-2018 commission, during which it referred eight amendments to the ballot for the 2018 election, seven of which were approved by voters. However, these amendments were the subject of lawsuits, with allegations that they were composed of multiple, unrelated subjects bundled into one. This practice of "bundling" has been criticised as confusing for voters, who are forced to vote up or down on multiple propositions at once. Despite this, the fact that seven of the eight amendments were approved by voters demonstrates that the CRC can be an effective pathway for constitutional change.
In addition, the CRC has been criticised for its lack of accountability and the fact that it is composed of unelected officers who are not held accountable to the people of Florida. There are also concerns that the CRC places too much power in the hands of the legislature, which has a track record of engaging in measures that diminish the voices of Florida's citizens, such as voting restrictions and gerrymandering. However, abolishing the CRC would further concentrate power in the legislature, reducing direct democracy and the citizen voice in state governance.
While there are legitimate concerns about the CRC, it nevertheless provides an important pathway for constitutional change in Florida. Rather than abolishing the CRC, reforms could be implemented to address the issues that have arisen, such as requiring single-issue ballot measures and improving the appointment process to ensure the commission is bipartisan and has more balanced influence from the different branches of government.
In conclusion, while the CRC has faced criticism and calls for its abolition, it remains an important pathway for the people of Florida to amend their constitution and participate in state governance. Reforms to the CRC can address the issues that have arisen while preserving this important pathway for constitutional change.
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The CRC meets once every 20 years
The Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a 37-member commission that meets once every 20 years to propose changes to the Florida Constitution. The CRC was established in 1968, and has since convened three times, in 1977-78, 1997-98, and 2017-18. The next CRC is scheduled to meet in 2037.
The CRC is unique to Florida, as it is the only state with a commission that can refer constitutional amendments directly to the ballot for a public vote. This means that the CRC can put items directly on the ballot, bypassing the House or Senate. The CRC of 2017-18 referred eight measures to the ballot, seven of which were approved by voters.
The CRC has been criticised for its practice of "bundling", or placing multiple unrelated propositions into a single amendment that voters must approve or reject as a whole. This practice has led to lawsuits and attempts to abolish the CRC, such as the Florida Amendment 2 ballot measure in 2022. However, this attempt was defeated, with only 54% of voters supporting the amendment, less than the 60% supermajority required.
Despite its flaws, the CRC provides an important pathway for the people of Florida to amend their constitution and participate in direct democracy. Abolishing the CRC would further diminish citizen voice in state governance and invest more power in the legislature. Therefore, while reforms to the CRC are necessary, abolishing it altogether would not be beneficial to the people of Florida.
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Frequently asked questions
The CRC is a 37-member commission that meets every 20 years to propose changes to the Florida Constitution. The CRC was established in 1968, and it has convened three times so far, in 1977-78, 1997-98, and 2017-18.
Some people argue that the CRC gives too much power to the current political establishment to change the constitution. They also believe that the individuals appointed to the commission are not held accountable and that the commission is redundant as it meets only once every 20 years.
The CRC provides an important pathway for the people of Florida to amend their constitution. Abolishing the CRC would further reduce direct democracy and citizen voice in state governance by investing more power in the legislature. While reforms are needed, the CRC should not be abolished.
