Just Say No To Ammendment 3

Just say “No” to Amendment 3

by Ed martin

    There is a really nasty effort underway to weaken every citizen’s right under the Florida Constitution to approve initiatives that express the people’s will.

    Under the current Constitution a simple majority — 50 percent plus one vote can approve an initiative such as the ones limiting tax increases on our homesteads, creating a voluntary pre-kindergarten for 4-year-olds and limiting class sizes. An amendment establishing term limits also passed — no wonder the Legislature created this amendment.

    These changes in Florida law came about as constitutional amendments when the Legislature ignored voter sentiments. So, petitions were gathered with sufficient signatures to force the issue onto the ballot, where the majority of voters approved it.

    Now, there are legislators and big lobbyists who think we are too dumb (or perhaps honest) to have that privilege, so they want to change the Constitution to require that 60 percent of the people voting must vote yes — a very difficult hurdle since most elections are won by less than 60 percent.

    If you see a “Yes 3” sign, think “NO!” Since the big money is for this travesty, you will see “Yes” signs, but the people may not have the money to buy “No” signs.

Gut our Constitution

    This destructive power play is being pushed by a group that in a familiar pattern, has given itself a name that is the opposite of its purpose. The group, called “Protect our Constitution,” wants to change it, not protect it.

    All you have to know is what groups are pouring millions into this misinformation, to know their true purpose.

    According to the Herald-Tribune, the National Association of Home Builders has provided $300,000. Then there is another group nicely named the “Foundation for Preserving Florida,” which contributed $250,000.

    These folks want to make it more difficult for Sarasota County, Venice and other local governments to rezone land. Zoning land to preserve Florida is the opposite of their goals.

    Naturally, the Realtors want to preserve Florida also. The Florida Association of Realtors kicked in $100,000.

    Those nice people who are preserving Florida by allowing fertilizers and pesticides to contaminate the Everglades and the gulf are in the PAC: U.S. Sugar, $50,000; Florida Crystals, sugar cane, $50,000; Alico Inc. (agriculture), $100,000; and A. Duda and Sons, Inc., agriculture, $100,000.

    Our local grocer, Publix Supermarkets Inc., felt this travesty was worth $100,000 of your grocery money. I’ll see you at Albertson’s or Sweetbay.

    I don’t think Floridians are up for losing their power at the ballot box, despite this big money campaign, and some more sophisticated political observers than I must think so as well. After I wrote this article, I read that both candidates for governor are opposing Amendment 3.

    As the lady said, “Just say No,” in a bipartisan fashion.

    Ed Martin has been a speech pathologist, teacher, administrator, government leader, professor of public policy, writer and a director of three corporations. In Venice he is active in church, interfaith, neighborhood, foundation and charity activities. He can be reached at:

ed@insideveniceflorida.com.

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