Voters ready for big changes:
Floridians approve 11 of the 12 proposed constitutional amendments.
Florida voters were ready for big changes this election as they approved almost all of the 12 proposed constitutional amendments, including major differences in how the state deals with gambling and the right of ex-felons to vote. Here’s a breakdown of what passed and what didn’t.
1: Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption
Did it pass? No
What would it have done? Homeowners would have been able to take an additional $25,000 homestead exemption in addition to the $50,000 already on the books. The additional exemption was only for the value of a home between $100,000 and $125,000.
2: Limitations on Property Tax Assessments
Did it pass? Yes
What will it do? A 10 percent cap on increases in the taxable value of non-homestead properties (e.g. commercial and rental real estate) was set to expire. But now, it has been made permanent. It’s believed that failure to pass this amendment would have resulted in increases in rents and the price of consumer goods, but passage means keeping the status quo, so Floridians shouldn’t notice a difference.
3: Voter Control of Gambling in Florida
Did it pass? Yes
What will it do? Previously, the decision to expand gambling around the state rested with the Florida Legislature. With passage of this amendment, any expansion of casino gambling — including slots, cards and other casino games — will have to be approved in a statewide referendum of Florida voters. 4: Voting Restoration Did it pass? Yes
What will it do? Previously, Floridians who committed a felony lost the right to vote for life unless it was given back to them by a state clemency board. Now, ex-felons who serve their time and complete probation and parole will automatically have their right to vote restored, except those who commit murder or felony sex offenses.
5: Super-majority Vote Required to Impose, Authorize, or Raise State Taxes or Fees
Did it pass? Yes What will it do? Any increase in taxes or fees will now require a two-thirds majority vote of the Florida Legislature rather than a simple majority.
6: Rights of Crime Victims, Judicial Retirements
Did it pass? Yes
What will it do? Victims of crime in Florida now have a bill of rights in the state constitution, including the right to due process, to be “reasonably protected from the accused,” the right to have their safety considered when judges set bail and the right to be heard at
public trial proceedings. The amendment also raises the required retirement age for judges from 70 to 75 and requires judges to not consider a state agency’s interpretation of a law when interpreting the law themselves.
7: First Responder and Military Member Survivor Benefits; Public Colleges and Universities
Did it pass? Yes
What will it do? College boards of trustees and the state university system’s Board of Governors will now have to reach a super-majority to raise any fee at a college or university. Additionally, the governance of colleges is outlined in the state constitution, instead of just in state law as it was previously. Also, the surviving family members of first responders and military who are killed in the line of duty will receive death benefits and tuition discounts.
9: Prohibits Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling; Prohibits Vaping in Enclosed Indoor Workplaces
Did it pass? Yes
What will it do? Vaping is added to the state’s ban on smoking in indoor workplaces, and oil drilling is banned in Florida territorial waters.
10: State and Local Government Structure and Operation
Did it pass? Yes
What will it do? First, this amendment permanently moves legislative sessions in even-numbered years to January — something the Florida Legislature already voted to do regularly. It also makes it a constitutional requirement for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to have a counterterrorism office and the state to have a Department of Veterans Affairs, which it already has. Finally, the amendment requires all counties to have an elected sheriff, tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections and clerk of court. Practically, this means Broward County must now have an elected tax collector, and Miami-Dade County must have an elected sheriff.
11: Removal of Obsolete Provisions
Did it pass? Yes
What will it do? Deletes outdated language concerning a repealed high-speed-rail amendment and an unconstitutional ban on certain aliens owning land. Those deletions have no practical effect on Floridians, but the amendment will also delete language that requires people accused of a crime to be tried under the law as it stood when they were arrested. Now, if the Florida Legislature changes a law, the accused can be tried under the updated law.
12: Lobbying and Abuse of Office by Public Officers
Did it pass? Yes
What will it do? Elected officials are now banned from lobbying the bodies they were elected to for six years after leaving office instead of the previous two years. Former justices and judges are also banned for six years from lobbying the legislative or executive branches of state government. In addition, elected officials cannot use their office to receive a “disproportionate benefit” for themselves, their families or their businesses. Punishments for violations will have to be decided by the Florida Legislature.
13: Ends Dog Racing
Did it pass? Yes
What will it do? Greyhound racing will be banned in the state by 2021, though track owners can elect to end dog racing by 2019 without losing their gambling permits. After 2021, track owners will be allowed to continue to operate casinos and card rooms.