Know your Florida constitutional amendments

If you're a Florida voter, prepare for a workout Nov. 4.

Already you will help decide one of the most closely watched presidential elections ever. And all 120 state House seats are up for election, plus half of the 40-seat Senate. Not to mention local elections.

But that's not all. The statewide ballot also contains nine proposed amendments to the state Constitution ranging from a ban on gay marriage to a fundamental change in how public schools are funded.

Here's a summary of those ballot items, in order of appearance on the ballot:

1. Repeal "Alien Land" Law

Would delete from the state Constitution language allowing the Legislature to regulate or prohibit property ownership by aliens ineligible for citizenship. From 1862 to 1965, more than a dozen states passed laws restricting Asian immigrants from owning property. Most states did away with the laws, but Florida has yet to do so.

Would define marriage as the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife. Florida already has such a law, but backers say putting it in the Constitution protects from legal challenge.

Improvements on residential property for energy efficiency or windstorm protection wouldn't be subject to property tax assessments.

Land held in perpetuity for conservation would be exempt from property taxes, and other conservation lands would be taxed on their current use rather than their "highest and best," or potential use.

Would reduce overall property taxes by about 25 percent by eliminating most property taxes for schools in 2011. To replace the more than $9-billion, lawmakers would have to increase the sales tax, eliminate sales tax exemptions, extend taxes to services such as lawyers or cut other state spending.

Would provide a property tax break for waterfront businesses such as marinas and boat repair shops that do not intend to convert to a more lucrative use, such as condominiums.

Would remove "Blaine Amendment" from the state Constitution, a century-old ban on funding for religious groups. In 2004, an appellate court cited the provision in rejecting then-Gov. Jeb Bush's school voucher program.

Would allow local option sales taxes to support community colleges if approved by local voters.

Orders that 65 percent of school funding go toward classroom instruction. Changes a provision of the state Constitution to allow private school vouchers.

Comments on this article

by Keith	May 16, 2008 2:00 PM
On #9, that could be dangerous. we would want money spent on administration shiftes to classrooms. But it just might mean another 42% added on top because we can (won't) cut the top heavy admin fat cats.

by KC	May 15, 2008 11:10 AM
School Board spends money on cell phones, travel, custom desks, raises, cars and policies for administration but what goes to educating the kids? Teachers pay for classroom items. We are over taxed, paying for unnecessary spending. We need JESUS!

by Josh	May 15, 2008 10:58 AM
Hey Allen, these 'starter families' you speak of sound like they got in over their heads. 8-9k in property taxes would equate to a $400k-$500k property value. Definitely more house than a young working family needs.

by VJJ	May 14, 2008 9:07 PM
Stop the radical right. Separation of church and state. Vote NO on 2.

by Allen	May 14, 2008 5:19 PM
Fl prop tax will never be fair until houses pay per value not length of ownership. Nothing fair about 60y.o. millionaires payin 6k and starter familys payin 8-9k in prop. taxes. It shifts tax burden to younger poorer workers& Use taxes are regressive

by Dave	May 14, 2008 5:15 PM
Fund the schools & pay the teachers so our kids can get an education which allows them to compete in a global economy that's moving all the low-end jobs overseas.

by Reader in St. Pete	May 14, 2008 5:14 PM
...and see what harm it does for ALL citizens. Do not be fooled by the general description of the amendment, it does not tell the whole truth and the extent to which it will take away rights & benefits to ALL unmarried couples. VERY SCARY.

by Reader in St. Pete	May 14, 2008 5:14 PM
There are 4 laws defining marriage as between a man and woman. We don't need an amendment. What #2 does is very scary. It effects straight couples, seniors, etc as well. If you need more proof, please research Michigan's constitutional amendment...

by lGene	May 14, 2008 3:30 PM
It would be wonderful if all the experts who have commented before me would read the full ammendments before becoming such authorities. Example: wouldn't it be nice if prople with no children & retirees were exempt from school taxes--buy a TV & pay

by Josh	May 14, 2008 1:20 PM
A vote for the tax swap is a vote against schools and public services. I will be proudly voting NO for this. My property taxes are fair.

by Josh	May 14, 2008 1:20 PM
Its good to read that not everyone has been fooled into voting yes for this 'tax swap' garbage. It gives me some hope for this state.

by JB	May 14, 2008 1:17 PM
This is how everyone should vote: ask yourself if this subject should be in FL Statutes or FL Constitution. Tax breaks, etc. should not be in the FL Constitution. 3-6, 8 & 9 are not Const'l issues.

by robert	May 14, 2008 11:14 AM
Beware of the tax swap. It will bring back sales tax on services. We tried it before. It was miserable. Anything you save on reduced property tax will be far exceeded by what you pay in increased sales tax.

by Dave in St Pete	May 14, 2008 11:14 AM
No, No, Yes, No, No, Yes, No, No, Yes

by PaulW	May 14, 2008 11:14 AM
That tax swap is taking the tax burden away from property owners and businesses and forcing it onto everyone else via sales taxes. Harsh and unfair. We are the worst state when it comes to funding education! ARGH!

by Jeff	May 14, 2008 11:14 AM
As a Floridian who has lived overseas for several years it scares me to see the influence of the radical right in our state. They wont be happy until there is no seperation between church and state... and then it will be too late. Stop fanaticism!

by Jason	May 14, 2008 11:14 AM
No on 2!

by ryan	May 14, 2008 11:14 AM
Correct me if i am wrong, but i thought the constitution was supposed to GIVE rights to the people, NOT TAKE them away! this also has some of the stupidest fiscal blunders i have ever seen, too bad 3,4,&6 are not good enough to balance it out

by Dave	May 14, 2008 8:53 AM
More property tax cuts? Are you kidding? I don't know about you but I like government services and schools.

by Paul	May 13, 2008 6:47 PM
The Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ even opposes Amendment 2 because of its hidden bigoted agenda!

by Paul	May 13, 2008 6:47 PM
Amendment 2 also bans civil unions, domestic partnerships, and prevents unmarried partners from receiving any benefits, including the right to visit a dying partner (gay or straight) in the hospital! Vote NO!

by Anne	May 13, 2008 5:50 PM
Wow, Sal, you are a real right winger, aren't you? Bet you think Bush is the Second Coming, and Cheney is your hero.

by Sal	May 13, 2008 5:31 PM
Wow, there is some pretty heavy stuff there! Lots of possible "gotchyas" and/or ramifications. Some are easy though: 1. No repeal, 2. Yes, and 5-yes to tax swap.

by Rickster	May 13, 2008 5:29 PM
Marriage is both a civil and religious sacrament. The church can ban gay weddings if they want, but the state should not dictate that 2 gay people can't have a civil marriage. They only wheel this out to scare people to the right, like clockwork.

by Mike	May 13, 2008 3:25 PM
Does anyone know what "aliens ineligible for citizenship" means? Are they talking about convicts like Tony Montana or is that code for 'foreigners'?

by JR	May 13, 2008 3:21 PM
The Blaine Amendment needs to be part of the Constitution. If the parochial school wants voucher dollars let them hire certified teachers and receive accreditation so graduates can get into major universities.

by Leo	May 13, 2008 3:17 PM
Neo-conservatives, the religious right and even some neo-Nazis seem to be taking over Florida. I am NOT a Liberal either.If ultra-left Liberals were taking over, I would be screaming, too! Lets avoid the extremes, shall we?

by Jackie	May 13, 2008 2:57 PM
Short, sweet and easy to read and understand. Thank you!

by Mike	May 13, 2008 1:37 PM
Why give tax money to religious organizations when they pay no taxes? Talk about having your fraking cake and eating it too...

by Richard	May 13, 2008 1:35 PM
I will be voting for #2 since it has already been shown elsewhere that some judges will overturn such laws based on their political ties.

by Greg	May 13, 2008 1:35 PM
#10 - No More Amendments!

by Conservative voice	May 13, 2008 10:35 AM
A constitution is a document that sets up a governement and gives it's people certian rights. Taxing is the job of a Legislature. 3,4,5,6,8,9. They should do their job. 2 is a statute 1 & 7 are real issues. VOTE

by Kay	May 13, 2008 10:34 AM
This is the best they could come up with? I'll consider number 1 but all else gets a big fat no. Some are just too vague for my tastes.