Eleanor Finch
The Florida 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 in that it can refer constitutional amendments directly to the ballot for a public vote. However, there have been calls to abolish the CRC, with critics arguing that it lacks accountability and has become influenced by special interest groups. Supporters of the CRC argue that abolishing it would diminish direct democracy and citizen voice in state governance. Florida Amendment 2, which proposed abolishing the CRC, was on the ballot in Florida in 2022 but was defeated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Convening Period | Once every 20 years |
| Members | 37 |
| Purpose | To propose amendments to the Florida Constitution |
| Public Hearings | Two sets |
| Voting | Requires 60% approval |
| Citizen Engagement | Direct democracy |
| Reform vs. Abolition | Opinions vary |
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What You'll Learn
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) meets every 20 years
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a group of 37 commissioners that meets every 20 years to propose amendments 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. The next meeting is scheduled for 2037.
The CRC is unique to Florida, as it is the only state that allows for its constitution to be regularly reviewed and amended through a commission. The commission's proposals are placed directly on the ballot for voter consideration, and they have covered a range of issues, including gambling, education, redistricting, and the courts.
There have been calls to abolish the CRC, with critics arguing that it limits voters' voices and that its proposals could be good or bad. However, others defend the CRC as an important pathway for direct democracy and citizen input into state governance. They argue that abolishing the CRC would further diminish the voice of citizens and invest more power in the legislature.
Proposed reforms to the CRC include requiring single-issue ballot measures, improving the appointment process to ensure bipartisanship, and clarifying that the state's open meeting laws apply to the CRC. These reforms aim to address concerns while preserving the CRC's role in shaping Florida's constitution.
The debate around the CRC highlights the complex nature of constitutional reform and the desire to balance the input of citizens, legislators, and other stakeholders in the process.
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The CRC is a group of 37 commissioners
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a group of 37 commissioners that meets every 20 years. The CRC was established in 1968, and it has convened three times so far: in 1977-78, 1997-98, and 2017-18. The next CRC is scheduled to convene in 2037.
The CRC is a unique feature of Florida's Constitution, allowing for regular review and revision by a dedicated commission. The 37 commissioners are appointed, and they hold two sets of public hearings across the state. The first set of hearings is to gather ideas and proposals from the public, and the second set is to get feedback on the proposed changes. The CRC's proposals are then placed directly on the General Election ballot for voter consideration.
The CRC holds significant power over Florida's Constitution, as its decisions can impact various aspects of life in the state, from gambling to education to redistricting. The CRC provides an avenue for direct democracy in Florida, allowing citizens to propose amendments and revisions to the constitution. This process is separate from the legislative process, giving citizens an alternative pathway to bring about change.
However, the CRC has faced criticism and calls for its abolition. Some argue that the CRC limits voters' voices and that proposals from the commission can be unpredictable and risky. There are concerns about the appointment process and the influence of lobbyists. Supporters of the CRC, on the other hand, argue that abolishing it would further diminish citizen voice in state governance and invest more power in the legislature. They advocate for reforms to improve the appointment process, ensure bipartisan representation, and address issues from previous CRCs.
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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 amendments to the Florida Constitution. The CRC was established in 1968, and it has since met three times, in 1977-78, 1997-98, and 2017-18. The next scheduled meeting is in 2037. The CRC provides an important pathway for the people of Florida to amend their constitution and participate in state governance.
The CRC is unique to Florida, which is the only state that allows its constitution to be regularly reviewed and amended through a commission. The commission holds public hearings to gather ideas and feedback from Floridians and proposes changes to the constitution. The proposals are then placed directly on the ballot for voter approval in a general election. This process allows Floridians to have a direct say in shaping their state's constitution and ensuring it remains relevant and applicable to their current and future needs.
In recent years, there have been efforts to abolish the CRC, with critics arguing that it limits voters' voices and could lead to risky or bad proposals. However, opponents of abolition argue that removing the CRC would further diminish direct democracy and citizen input in state governance. They contend that the CRC provides an alternative pathway for Floridians to propose amendments when legislators may not be receptive to certain issues. Additionally, abolishing the CRC would invest more power in the legislature, which has been accused of engaging in measures that diminish the voices of citizens, such as voting restrictions and gerrymandering.
While the CRC has faced criticism and calls for abolition, many agree that reforms are necessary to improve the process. Suggested reforms include requiring single-issue ballot measures, improving the appointment process to ensure a bipartisan commission, and clarifying that the state's open meeting laws apply to the CRC. By implementing these reforms, Floridians can continue to have a direct pathway to amend their constitution and ensure that their voices are heard in shaping the future of their state.
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The CRC should be reformed, not abolished
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a 37-member commission that meets every 20 years to propose amendments to the Florida Constitution. The CRC provides an important pathway for the people of Florida to amend their constitution, and abolishing it would make it harder for citizens to have a say in the governance of their state.
The CRC was established in 1968, and it has convened three times, in 1977-78, 1997-98, and 2017-18. The next CRC is scheduled to meet in 2037. The CRC holds public hearings to gather ideas and feedback from the people of Florida and then proposes changes to the constitution, which must be approved by voters in a general election.
While there have been issues with the CRC in the past, such as the bundling of multiple issues into single ballot measures, it is still an important avenue for direct democracy in Florida. Abolishing the CRC would invest more power in 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.
Reforms to the CRC could include requiring single-issue ballot measures and improving the appointment process to ensure the commission is bipartisan and has more balanced influence from the three branches of government (executive, legislature, and judiciary). Additionally, the CRC could be prohibited from appointing registered lobbyists or current elected state and local officials, and the CRC chair could be appointed by the committee members rather than the governor.
In conclusion, while the CRC has faced criticism and has had its shortcomings, it is an important mechanism for direct democracy in Florida. Instead of abolishing it, reforms should be implemented to address the issues and improve the effectiveness and transparency of the commission.
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The CRC holds incredible power over Florida's Constitution
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a group of 37 commissioners who meet every 20 years to examine the relevance and applicability of Florida's Constitution to current and future needs. The CRC was established in 1968, and it has convened three times, in 1977-78, 1997-98, and 2017-18. Florida is the only state that allows its constitution to be revisited and changed through a regularly scheduled commission.
The CRC provides an important pathway for the people of Florida to amend their constitution and have their voices heard. Abolishing the CRC would further diminish direct democracy and citizen voice in state governance. It would make it harder for everyday people to bring about change and give more power to 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, the CRC has also faced criticism and concerns. Some argue that keeping the commission in place limits voters' voices and that the CRC lacks clear rules and transparency. There have been calls for reforming the CRC to address these issues, such as requiring single-issue ballot measures and improving the appointment process to ensure a bipartisan and balanced commission.
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Frequently asked questions
Amendment 2, the Abolish the Constitution Revision Commission Measure, was on the ballot in Florida as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 8, 2022.
The Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a 37-member commission that convenes every 20 years to review and propose changes to the Florida Constitution.
Some people believe that the CRC is unnecessary and that abolishing it would remove a vehicle for the people of Florida to input into state governance, investing more power in the legislature. Others believe that the CRC is an unelected body that is not subject to any oversight or accountability to the people, and that it has become the object of influence and manipulation by special interest groups.
