The Constitution Revision Commission, which convenes every 20 years to suggest changes to the Florida Constitution, has thus far held four public hearings to seek citizens' input. At a meeting in Tallahassee on Wednesday, April 12,
Michael Sheedy, executive director, provided remarks to the commission on behalf of the FCCB. Any proposed constitutional amendments recommended by the commission will go on the ballot for the November 2018 elections and would require approval from 60 percent of voters to pass.
The FCCB looks for the commission to address troublesome sections of Florida's Constitution, including:
Article 1, Section 23: Our state's privacy clause has been interpreted by the courts to give a greater right to abortion than the U.S. Constitution.
Article I, Section 3: The "no-aid" provision, known as the Blaine Amendment, creates questions about collaboration of religious organizations in government programs.
Article IX, Section 1: The "uniformity clause" has been interpreted to limit innovation in education.
Additional public hearings have been scheduled around the state from April 26-May 17. More information is available on the
commission's official website.