I just finished voting, and I realized that one problem I almost always have, even though I pay attention, is decoding those Constitutional Amendments on the ballot. You know; YES ON 2! NO ON 4! All those signs and ads you see are normally put out by special interests that have a stake in these things passing or failing, and there's not a lot of good information out there without heavy spin. So, for your convenience, here are the Amendments you'll be voting on if you live in Florida, along with an explanation in English of what they'll actually do, and my opinion on them, which you can take or leave as you like.
Amendment 1
Relating to Property Rights/Ineligible Aliens
Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to delete provisions authorizing the Legislature to regulate or prohibit the ownership, inheritance, disposition, and possession of real property by aliens ineligible for citizenship.
This non-controversial Amendment was put on the ballot by the Legislature. It proposes to remove some language dating back to the late 1800's from Florida's Constitution about Asian immigrants not being allowed to own land. Most other States had similar provisions at some point, which have of course been removed, and this is basically just housekeeping for the State.
My Vote: Yes, because this archaic wording is already superseded by reality everywhere in FL.
Amendment 2
Florida Marriage Protection Amendment
This amendment protects marriage as the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife and provides that no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized.
This Amendment is fairly straightforward, and most people already have an idea of where they come down on gay marriage. It's worth noting that this is already effectively the reality in FL, the purpose of this Amendment is to make it much more difficult for future groups to propose changes to the law that would give same-sex couples more rights. The Amendment was proposed by a group that opposes gay rights.
My Vote: No, because I don't believe this needs to be in our Constitution, when it is at best a matter of personal preference, and at worst a blatant attempt to block people's rights. I don't believe in legislating what goes on in the bedroom, and I think same-sex couples are our Constitutional and Human equals, and should be treated with the same respect as other couples. Very important point on Amendment 2: Unintended consequences for domestic partnerships. It will make them illegal and affect rights that are now granted by universities, businesses, etc. According to the 2000 census, 70% of people living in domestic partnerships are heterosexual senior citizens. Amendment 2 is opposed by AARP and many other unlikely groups. Thanks, Susan S!
Amendment 3
Changes and Improvements Not Affecting the Assessed Value of Residential Real Property
Authorizes the Legislature, by general law, to prohibit consideration of changes or improvements to residential real property which increase resistance to wind damage and installation of renewable energy source devices as factors in assessing the property's value for ad valorem taxation purposes. Effective upon adoption, repeals the existing renewable energy source device exemption no longer in effect.
Huh? OK, this Amendment basically means the following: If you install home-hardening features like storm shutters, hurricane glass, etc, OR renewable energy features like solar panels, wind-gathering devices etc, the Property Tax assessment for your home would not factor these types of improvements into your home's value, and by extension your owed tax. Basically, it's an incentive to get people to install this stuff, because they won't incur a tax penalty if they do so.
My Vote: Yes. I like renewable energy, and part of the "Green Collar" job creation plan involves creating a bigger market for this stuff, creating jobs for installers, manufacturers, etc. I'm for anything that incentivises that. Plus: Lower taxes, and lower insurance premiums for storm features. All around win.
Amendment 4
Property Tax Exemption of Perpetually Conserved Land; Classification and Assessment of Land Used for Conservation
Requires Legislature to provide a property tax exemption for real property encumbered by perpetual conservation easements or other perpetual conservation protections, defined by general law. Requires Legislature to provide for classification and assessment of land used for conservation purposes, and not perpetually encumbered, solely on the basis of character or use. Subjects assessment benefit to conditions, limitations, and reasonable definitions established by general law. Applies to property taxes beginning in 2010.
This is an environmental measure. It would lock in property tax exemptions for privately-held land being used for conservation purposes, and prevent future tax assessments on conservation areas from being based on "Best possible use," and keep them based on "Current use." Example: Say you've got a beach that's a designated conservation area. Now, from one extreme to the other; this land could be taxed at the rate that it would bring in if there were Condos on it, or it could be exempt from taxation at all, provided that it will be used as a conservation area permanently. This amendment has been endorsed by the Sierra Club. (Thanks, Heart of a Quince!)
My Vote: Yes. I'm all for keeping Conservation areas undeveloped.
Amendment 6
Assessment of Working Waterfront Property Based Upon Current Use
Provides for assessment based upon use of land used predominantly for commercial fishing purposes; land used for vessel launches into waters that are navigable and accessible to the public; marinas and drystacks that are open to the public; and water-dependent marine manufacturing facilities, commercial fishing facilities, and marine vessel construction and repair facilities and their support activities, subject to conditions, limitations, and reasonable definitions specified by general law.
This is similar to the last Amendment, but deals with waterfront use. It would lock in taxes on "Working Waterfront" areas at rates based on their current use, rather than what their potential tax could be. For example, a marina with a few commercial fishing boats and various other uses would be locked in at the rate for those services, not what the potential tax revenue would be if you bulldozed them and built multi-million dollar yacht condos.
My Vote: Yes. Have you been down by Tin City (in Naples, FL) lately? Two of my favorite local businesses and countless others were eliminated by the crazy taxes down there, torn down, and replaced by condos, most of which now sit empty, collecting no tax at all. I come from a long line of boat builders and fishermen, and this will protect real Floridians' livelihoods.
Amendment 8
Local Option Community Funding
Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to require that the Legislature authorize counties to levy a local option sales tax to supplement community college funding; requiring voter approval to levy the tax; providing that approved taxes will sunset after 5 years and may be reauthorized by the voters.
This Amendment would authorize local governments to raise sales taxes to supplement local Community College funding. Pretty straightforward.
My Vote: Yes. If we're going to have these services, we need to pay for them somehow, and I don't mind kicking in a little more to support education.
And that's it. I realize it's a lot to digest, but these are important measures, it's vital you understand what you're voting on. I'll be re-posting this as we get closer to the Election, but you may want to print it out for future reading, if you find it helpful. Your thoughts are welcome below, and please correct me if I've gotten anything wrong factually.
Please remember to vote early, request an absentee ballot and use it. It makes your life easier, allowing you to sit down and research local candidates and issues like these.