Art. IV, s. 5: Eliminate three of the six cabinet offices, retaining the governor as the chief executive officer, the attorney general as chief legal officer, and combining the comptroller and treasurer positions into a single chief financial officer. The duties now prescribed to the cabinet would remain as cabinet duties, thereby retaining collegial and public decision-making by the governor, attorney general and the chief financial officer on educational, law enforcement, and environmental policy, and in other vital or sensitive areas such as the purchase, sale and management of state lands; investment of public employee pension funds; issuance of bonds; power plant siting; and the granting of clemency. All of the other matters would be determined by statute.

In response to questions regarding the public forum the current cabinet system provides, General Milligan explained that there is indeed a benefit in providing a forum for the people of the state to appear before the executive; however a reduction in the size and, to a degree, the scope of the cabinet would be beneficial, yet still provide that public forum. General Milligan believes that an officer should not be elected to regulate a particular industry. The governor should be able to exercise his executive functions. As to the public’s perception, we would not be eliminating the public forum, only narrowing down the number of members.

Art. III, s. 16: The legislature should be taken out of the reapportionment business. An independent commission should be established, which would work with the supervisors of elections, who know communities of interest and who could integrate the practical aspects of election administration. The current system of reapportionment is flawed. The legislature has divided communities, leading to voter alienation. The legislature has drawn lines with no regard to existing precinct lines, thereby increasing the cost and complexity of administering elections.

Art. I, s. 5: Amend the constitution to establish that the government cannot favor one party over another, or impose an unfair financial burden to the existence of political parties or candidates. The American people benefit from more choices. Make it possible for minor candidates to compete in the system. Florida has the harshest ballot access laws in the country. There should be a constitutional guarantee: that the financial inability of a candidate or party to pay government-imposed fees will not result in their exclusion from the ballot; that there be a reasonable period of time to collect petition signatures for ballot placement; that there be a reasonable cap on the number of signatures required; that there is not bias in the treatment of parties.

Art. III, s. 16: Proposes a reapportionment commission much in the nature of this Commission.

Art. IX, s. 2: The Board of Education should be a separate entity from the cabinet, and should be appointed by the Governor. The State Board of Education should appoint the Education Commissioner. Education should not be politicized. The current education governance provisions were adopted as long ago as 1963 and 1970. The sole responsibility of the Board of Education should be education, and this system would be free from party politics. The current system is fraught with inefficiencies.

Art. IX, s. 5: Supports appointment of school superintendents by the local school board. Superintendents should be chosen based on professional qualifications and experience. This is the system in all other states except for Alabama and Mississippi. The option should not be provided in the constitution to have an elected superintendent.

Art. IX, s. 4: Supports the non-partisan election of school board members. Only charter counties have this option currently.

Art. IX: Some students do not fit in our system of education. Teachers are sinking in a quagmire of ridiculous working conditions. In Texas, they passed a law that there will be no more than 22 students in a class. If Florida would do this we could better meet our responsibilities to children.

Art. V, 15: Eliminate this section which places lawyer regulation with the Supreme Court. Attorneys should be regulated by the Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation.

Art. VI: Provide for the recall of all elected public officials. Currently there is only recall for city officials, and for county commissioners in those charter counties that provide for recall in their charter.

Art. XII, s. 9(d): The first proceeds from motor vehicle licensing fees should not go to build schools, as there is no nexus between motor vehicle license fees and building schools.

Art. V, s. 10: Supports merit selection and retention of all judges. The only people interested in judicial elections are attorneys. These attorneys appear before the judge and this causes a negative perception with the litigants. Requests that this question be put on the ballot and let the people decide.

Art. V, s. 1: The state should support the state court system; this should not be a responsibility of the counties to support the state court system. It is taking the chief judges an inordinate amount of time to deal with budget matters.

Art. V, s. 1: Clarify the state’s responsibility to fund its court system. The counties are bearing the lion’s share of operating the state court system. The state spends less than ½ of 1 percent of its budget on the court system. Many counties spend close to 70% of their budgets on Article V costs.

Art. V, s. 1: Supports an amendment requiring the state to pay for the costs of operating the state court system. Clarify the responsibilities of the state and of the counties.

Art. XI, s. 3: Supports requiring that all constitutional amendments be approved by a supermajority, along with providing the right of statutory initiatives. Allow the legislature to amend statutory initiatives with by a supermajority in order to address changing conditions.

Art. IV, s. 5: Supports modification of the current cabinet system to a system where the governor can appoint his or her cabinet and effectively manage the executive branch of government.

Art. I, s. 22: The fully-informed jury amendment should be placed on the ballot. Judges incorrectly advise juries that they are required to abide by the law. The purpose of the jury system is to protect citizens from the overzealous enforcement of the law. Mercy is the sole province of the citizens. The citizens serving on juries should be advised of their power to not follow the law.

Art. I, s. 22: Supports the fully-informed jury amendment. Juries should be able to judge by their conscience.

Art. V, s. 10: All judges should be elected.

Art. V, s. : The rule which prohibits judicial candidates from speaking their positions on issues be eliminated. Governments must be held accountable for the decisions that they make. Judges overrule the will of the people. A judge or group of judges can overturn a provision that was voted on by the people or by their elected representatives. A judge’s personal beliefs should not influence his or her decision, but in reality this is the case. Require judges to speak to issues that have a legal, social, or cultural impact.

Art. X: The government should stop trying to attract individuals or businesses which will hurt the environment or add permanent migrants above replacement numbers

Art. X: Growth management rules must be followed, without exception, after planned numbers have been reduced below the 92 million people allowed currently.

Art. IX, s. 1: Education must be a fundamental right. Adequacy of funding must be addressed. There must be a base and a formula that cannot be continually changed and tampered with, free from the pressures of the legislative session, in order to avoid under funding education. Perhaps require a set portion of state dollars be dedicated to education, or require the FEFP (Florida Education Finance Program) formula be protected in the constitution.

Art. IX, s. 4: Strengthen local control for school boards and superintendents, similar to the home rule powers allowed to municipalities and counties. This would address such issues as dividing up school districts and appointed/elected superintendents - these are local control issues.

Art. X, s. 15: The constitutional language should articulate the intent that lottery dollars must not supplant education funds; they should be used only to enhance education funding.

Art. VII: Partial year assessments should be clarified in the constitution to separate the way tangible personal properties and real properties are assessed.

Art. IV, s. 5: Regardless of the ultimate makeup of the cabinet, if there is to be a state board of education, the commissioner of education must be an integral part of that board.

Art. VII: Those people who do not have children or who are home schooling their children should not be paying school taxes. The vast majority of the people do not have children enrolled in the schools. The funding of schools should not be made through property taxes.

Art. VII, s. 9(b): Supports a waiver of immunity from property taxation for state and county owned lands used by private enterprise. The state and counties are immune from taxation no matter how their property is being used. Make those properties owned by the state and counties not used for traditional governmental purposes, subject to taxation. Some governmental properties are leased - used by hamburger chains, sports teams, and other traditional businesses which compete with those on private lands that are not immune or exempt from taxation. Use the increased proceeds to deal with the many needs we have.

Art. X, s. 4: Provide a statutory limit - a dollar amount, such as $150,000 or $200,000 - on the homestead exemption from forced sale. Florida grants the most liberal exemptions in bankruptcies in the United States. People are using our laws to hide assets.

Art. VII: Special assessments are being used for traditional governmental services. This avoids the cap on local taxes. The same protections and ability for challenge are not available for non-ad valorem special assessments. There should be a cap on special assessments, and due process available.

Art. VII, s. 9(b): Amend the constitution to grant special districts like the port authorities, a tax immunity. The tax situation involving taxes is in the state of flux, with legislative acts and much litigation. Ports are a public business.

Art. VII, s. 9(b): Airports and ports should be immune from taxation. The power to tax a public body is the power to destroy a public body. The Tampa International Airport serves an important public purpose. It serves a large multi-county regional area. It is in every sense a public facility. It has taxing power, although it has not exercised that power. The property appraiser is denying exemptions for certain airport-owned property. The legislature attempted to grant ports an exemption last session; however, the property appraisers are not recognizing this.

Art. VII: The constitution should allow for separate taxation of land and improvements on the land. When the tax burden can be shifted to land, urban sprawl is reduced, housing costs are lowered, and there is economic improvement and a reduction in bureaucracy.

Art. VII: Recommends changes to the State Revenue Limitation initiative, which was adopted by referendum in 1994. The limit is too generous on the government growth side and too stingy on the taxpayer protection side. Replace Personal Income with Florida Household Income as the indicator to best gauge the economic health of individuals and the family. Eliminate the language which allows the specific calculation to compound growth on the government side.

Art. IV, s. 9: The Commission unanimously passed a position in support of establishing a new agency combining the Marine Fisheries Commission, the Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission, and research divisions of the Department of Environmental Protection which support resource management and law enforcement.

Art. IV, s. 9: Supports the unification of the Marine Fisheries Commission and the Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission.

Art. IV, s. 9: Supports unification of the Marine Fisheries Commission and the Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission. In response to a question, Mr. Leon perceives that the Marine Patrol would be included in the new agency.

Art. II, s. 7: Concerned that the environmental bill of rights proposed by Secretary Wetherell is ill-defined; undefinable notions and are an invitation for judicially imposed public policies. The bill of rights threatens to short circuit the democratic process. Any amendment of this sort must assert the primacy of elected officials in defining policy and it should state that the cost of action taken to protect the environment must not fall disproportionately on any one person or entity.

Art. VII, s. 19: Unfunded mandates, such as environmental programs and employee benefit programs, place undue stress on Florida’s local governments. They force local governments to forego other services its citizens need and desire. The legislature can adopt a bill imposing mandates upon a finding that it fulfills an important state interest. BOB BUCKHORN (Con’d from page 6)

They are using this provision without any data, study, or allowing public testimony to determine the sufficiency of such claim. Create a floor under which a statute would be considered insignificant as far as mandates is concerned. Currently, a finding of public purpose is required. Strengthen Art VII, by requiring: (1) Any mandate must satisfy a compelling state interest test rather than an "important" state interest test; (2) state mandates are prohibited if they concern a local matter; (3) state mandates are prohibited if they reduce the authority of cities to raise revenues; (4) any significant fiscal impact exemption be applied against each affected city or county rather than in the aggregate; and (5) the mandates provision applies to rules promulgated by state entities.

Art. I, s. 12: Urges that we delete language adopted in the 1982 revision which requires our state Supreme Court to construe the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure as interpreted by the U. S. Supreme Court. The power to interpret this vital right should be returned to the Florida Supreme Court.

Art. I, s. 23: The Florida courts have construed this provision to preclude parent involvement with their children, even though this was not its purpose. Parental involvement ought to be paramount in medical decisions and other important decisions.

Art. I, s. 5: Urges improvement in our ballot access laws. Our electoral system has become a quagmire of impossibility for individuals who wish to run for office outside of the parameters of membership in one of the two major parties. Florida’s laws are the most restrictive in the nation.

Art. I, s. 12: Urges the repeal of the part of this section that requires conformity with decisions of the U. S. Supreme Court.

Art. I: Urges a parental rights amendment to protect the rights of parents in making medical and educational decisions for their children and protecting rights to raise their children according to their own religious beliefs.

Art. I, s. 3: This section should contain language granting a strong protection for the free exercise of religion, including the compelling interest test as stated in the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Art. I, s. 3: The language in this section regarding the indirect aid to sectarian institutions should be deleted or modified. This language could be used to oppose a school voucher effort.

Art. X, s. 16: Opposes the net ban, not based on the merits, but that the constitution is not the place for this amendment. Its placement hampers the Department of Environmental Regulation in making necessary regulations to enforce the law.

Art. X, s. 16: Requiring a supermajority to pass an initiative takes away rights of the people. The legislature only needs 51% to pass a law, why should the citizens need more?

Art. IV, s. 9: Supports unification of the Marine Fisheries Commission and the Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission. Much wildlife crosses back and forth between salt and fresh water.

Art. XI, s. 3: A constitutional amendment is not government as usual. The status of the net ban as having constitutional placement speaks to its importance to the people.

Art. XI, s. 3: One of the basic tenets of democracy is that citizens have the right of redress of grievances. The net ban was a last resort, not a first resort. Supports initiatives, but recommends a few changes. You should not be able to pay for petitions so that it is not affected by big money.

Art. IV, s. 9: Supports unification of the Marine Fisheries Commission and the Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission. Having two enforcement agencies on the water is confusing. Fish, birds, and manatees do not know when they cross from saltwater to fresh water.

Art. I, s. 2: Urges adding "age" to the classifications in this section. The Wrongful Death Act precludes certain persons from recovering for wrongful death based upon their age.

Art. I, s. 2: There is no protection against age discrimination. The Wrongful Death Act discriminates against people based on age. Read a statement of Senator Ginny Brown-Waite in support of a provision prohibiting age discrimination.

VIII, s. 2(c): Amend the constitution so that any special or general law to dissolve a city must be predicated on sound grounds and must be supported by an investigation of the auditor general or attorney general with a recommendation that such action is necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens. This Commission should institute adequate checks and balances to preclude the legislature from forcing a referendum to merge two cities.

Art. I, s. 2: Amend this section to provide for affirmative action - a policy statement that will provide that the State of Florida, recognizing that it is one of the most diverse states in this union, provide for its citizens equal opportunity and equal access to the services of its government, and the government’s agencies and other instrumentalities of governments, where there is evidence of discrimination, and to remedy those things. Suggested language: "The citizens of the State of Florida shall enjoy equal opportunity to employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, and other benefits of citizenship, except where otherwise provided by law. Additionally, the state, its agencies, political subdivisions, municipalities, counties, public colleges and universities, community colleges, school districts, special districts, authorities and other government instrumentalities, are authorized to take actions necessary to remedy the present effects of past discrimination in the areas of housing, employment, public accommodations, public education, the purchase of goods and services and the expenditure of public funds."

Art. IX, s. : Opposes efforts to break county school districts into smaller districts. This is no more than an effort to discriminate against minorities.

Art. III, s. 16: Supports the current procedure for reapportionment. While it is difficult, it is inclusive. Mr. Russell is concerned with limiting the considerations to a small commission that will not be as accommodating to public participation and input.

Art. I, s. 5: Supports the position of the Libertarian Party regarding ballot access for minor parties.

Art. I, s. 5: Supports keeping this provision strong in response to threats by the judiciary in other states to require fraternal organizations to accept women members.

Art. VII: Continue the allowance of special tax considerations for fraternal non-profit groups. Consider additional exemptions. For example, the vending machine tax doesn’t apply to religious organizations, but it does to civic organizations like the Moose. Look at the alcohol consumption tax in this vein.

Art. X: Bingo - would eliminate diverse approaches if we provided that bingo is allowed for a charitable purpose only. This could eliminate commercial problems in many counties and municipalities.

Art. I, s. 3: There is no separation of church from state. Religious leaders have the right to preach on all aspects of government, including the relative worth of political candidates.

Art. I, s. 22: In all jury trials, the judge shall inform the jury of their right to judge not only the facts of the case, but the law itself.

Art. I, s. 23:Create new paragraph (b): "No person shall be denied access or opportunity in employment, housing, public services or accommodations, or the extension of credit, on account of matters pertaining to his or her personal or private life. This provision does not prevent the establishment of bona fide qualifications or requirements. The legislature may provide by general law for protection of other fundamental rights.

Art. I: Proposes a right to live amendment - right to life support, because people believe, erroneously, that doctors and hospitals are legally obligated to provide life support to patients who arrive alive at a hospital. Add the following language: All natural persons have the right to life support if they so desire it, and the deliberate withholding thereof by any person equipped to provide it shall not be allowed.

Art. I: Supports the Right to Live amendment proposed above. Patients have a basic right to informed consent before they undergo a surgical process. Consent is a fundamental right to our government.

Art. I, s. 2: Add the following article: Section 1. Women and men shall have equal rights throughout Florida and every place and entity subject to its jurisdiction. Through this article, the subordination of women to men is abolished. Section 2. All persons shall have equal rights and privileges without discrimination on account of sex, race, sexual orientation, marital status, ethnicity, national origin, color, or indigenousness. Section 3. This article prohibits pregnancy discrimination and guarantees the absolute right of a woman to make her own reproductive decision, including the termination of pregnancy. Section 4. This article prohibits discrimination based on characteristics unique to, stereotypes about, or facially neutral criteria which have a separate impact on any of the protected classes. Section 5. This article does not preclude any law, program, or activity that would remedy the effects of discrimination, and it is closely related to achieving such remedial purpose. Section 6. This article shall be interpreted under the highest standard of judicial review. Section 7. Florida shall guarantee the implementation and enforcement of this article.

Art X, s. 6: Add the following: Property shall be presumed to be taken for purposes of this provision if a government action diminishes the value or use of any discrete property interest by more than 20% of such value or use, demonstrated by qualified appraisal.

Art. I, s. 2: Amend this so that subsection 8 of the wrongful death act is repealed. This law is discriminatory.

Art. I: The constitution should provide for substantial recompense to those against whom a prosecutor has fabricated or suppressed evidence. Include in the constitution, clear and unequivocal wording that a prosecutor’s task is, first and foremost, to uncover the truth - a duty far ahead of getting reelected. The fabrication or suppression of evidence in order to obtain a conviction cannot be countenanced.

Art. II, s. 8: Supports expanded authority for the Ethics Commission to regulate private entities that take on the duties of government regulators.

Art. I, s. 22: People are entitled to a trial by jury in family law cases. Some judges are not following the law. The right to a jury trial should never be denied to anyone. Ensure in the constitution that a trial by jury is allowed in family law cases.

Art. III, s. 9: Every statute passed by the legislature should expire five years after enacted. This should include administrative regulations.

Art. I, s. 5: Ballot access laws should be reformed to provide reasonable access.

No proposals. Spoke on the decline of our society, in terms of people’s behavior, declining schools, etc.

Art. I, s. 9: Supports a family bill of rights to overcome damages to families that occur as a result of divorce and separation. Amend this section to read: "No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property or family without due process of law,...."

Art. VIII: Amend to allow citizen initiatives and referendum for local governments, regardless of whether a county is charter or non-charter.

Art. VIII: Supports referendum not only for state laws, but for laws of local governments. Citizens should be able to put an issue on referendum in any local government with a specified number of signatures on petitions. Allow any citizen, with required signatures, to place a referendum issue on the ballot.

Art. VII: Proposes the adoption of a Commerce Tax Amendment, which would provide that only one tax would be levied by all of governmental entities; that tax shall not exceed 1% and shall be levied on each commercial transaction without exception, exemption or exclusion. The universal nature of this tax makes the tax base so broad that the tax is small. This would save a lot of money as the property appraiser’s office would no longer be necessary; the tax collector’s office could be far more efficient.

Art. IV, s. 5: If the cabinet system was changed, there might be some chance of having an African American serve in the appointed positions.

Art. I, s. 21, s. 22: The subject of guardianship is subject to greater control than a person who has been convicted of a crime. A person adjudicated incapacitated is denied the right to hire a lawyer to appeal that adjudication. Without a trial by jury, thousands of Floridians have lost more rights than a person convicted of a crime.

Art. XI, s. 3: Does not object to having state issues on the state ballot; however, there should be sufficient signatures from every county in order to put an issue on the state ballot.

Art. VII: Proposes a conservation tax exemption to promote the protection of natural lands by private landowners. If lands managed appropriately for conservation purposes could be taxed at rates similar to the agricultural exemption values, then landowners would not have to convert their property to agricultural uses which might destroy key natural features in order to pay lower taxes.

Art. I, s. 2: Favors a provision prohibiting age discrimination in light of the wrongful death act provisions which discriminate against children over 25.

Art. VIII: Remove anything in the constitution that allows the legislature to abolish a city without due process and just cause. Over 50 petitions of other cities was presented in which the cities objected to the abolishment of a municipal government without study, consent or concurrence of the municipality.