Letter to the Editor: Constitution Panel Explains the Process

Re Orlando Sentinel Editorial, “Constitution Panel Shortchanged Public on Amendment Ideas”

By Carlos Beruff, Chairman, 2017-2018 Constitution Revision Commission

November 2, 2017

“…In addition to the more than 2,000 public proposals received by the CRC, we have received thousands of comments from Floridians who attended our public hearings and who communicated online through email and social media.

“Some commissioners chose to directly sponsor public proposals submitted by Floridians without language changes. However, just like the previous CRC in 1997-98 advanced ‘general concepts’ based on public input, part of our job as commissioners is also to recognize general themes and ideas that were submitted by Floridians, and then craft proposals in the appropriate legal language.

“Several commissioners have created and sponsored proposals that reflect those ideas. A good example is the restoration of rights for felons. This was one of the most-discussed subjects during CRC public hearings across the state, and several commissioners have filed proposals regarding this topic.”

…

Read the entire Letter to the Editor by CRC Chairman Carlos Beruff at www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion.

###

ABOUT THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMISSION (CRC)

Once every 20 years, Florida's Constitution provides for the creation of a 37-member revision commission for the purpose of reviewing Florida's Constitution and proposing changes for voter consideration. The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) meets for approximately one year, traveling the State of Florida, identifying issues, performing research and possibly recommending changes to the Constitution. Any amendments proposed by the CRC would be placed on the 2018 General Election ballot. For additional information, visit flcrc.gov. Follow the CRC on social media @FloridaCRC (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube).