Changing constitution

South Floridians offer their ideas

From limiting abortion to restoring the voting rights of felons, South Floridians sounded off Friday in Boca Raton on how they think the state constitution should be changed.

The state’s Constitution Review Commission held its third public hearing at Florida Atlantic University. The panel listened to more than three hours of comments.

The 37-member commission, which is convened every 20 years, will present constitutional amendments for voters to consider next year.

The process gives the public a chance to bypass state legislators and present long-lasting constitutional changes directly to voters.

“The last time we met was 1997-1998,” Carlos Beruff, chairman of the commission, told the audience of more than 200 people. “There was 5 million less people in Florida, and Facebook didn’t exist.”

Amendments proposed by speakers included: ending the death penalty, tackling climate change, establishing a single-payer health care system,

legalizing marijuana, banning fracking, supporting renewable energy,

requiring employers to check the immigration status of new hires

and imposing restrictions on lobbying and campaign donations.

One hot-button issue involved changes to how Floridians vote. Speakers proposed opening primaries to all voters

regardless of party affiliation. Others called for an amendment that would require Florida presidential electors to support the candidate that wins the popular vote.

Several people, including representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union and Palm Beach County Elections Supervisor Susan Bucher, urged the state to automatically restore voting rights to felons after they serve their sentence.

“This disenfranchisement of felons goes all the way back to slavery,” said Corey Smith, a West Palm Beach attorney and former public defender. “Let’s bring Florida into the 21st century.”

Abortion foes spoke in favor of rewriting the constitution’s privacy clause, which has been used by judges to strike down limitations on abortion.

“It was twisted by the Florida Supreme Court to create a fundamental right to abortion for a minor girl,” said Sue Trombino, founder of the anti-abortion group Women Impacting the Nation.

In 1989, judges ruled that a law requiring minors to get parental consent to have an abortion violated a clause in the Florida Constitution. The clause guaranteed citizens the “right to be let alone and free from governmental intrusion into his private life.”

Several local elected officials asked for the commission to preserve the independence of local boards.

The state Legislature has barred local boards from regulating guns, banning plastic bags and raising the minimum wage.

Republican Gov. Rick Scott appointed 15 members to the commission, including the chairman Carlos Beruff, a wealthy Manatee County homebuilder and former candidate for U.S. Senate.

Republican leaders of the Senate and House each appointed nine members. The chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court appointed three members. Attorney General Pam Bondi also gets a seat on the panel.

The commission has faced criticism for scheduling meetings at inopportune times, not holding enough public hearings and not implementing enough safeguards to shield it from undue influence.

“This is engaged citizens making democracy work,” Pamela Goodman, president of the Florida League of Women Voters, told the commission about the need for public hearings.

Cynthia Bush, chair of the Broward Democratic Party, called on the commission to hold a listening session in Broward County.

The first two listening sessions were held in Orlando and Miami. Another session is planned for Wednesday in Tallahassee.

AMY BETH BENNETT/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Ethelene Jones speaks about electoral college reform at Florida Atlantic University Friday.