Ladra's guide to state amendments

This mid-term ballot we’re getting for the Nov. 6 election is so long it almost feels like an SAT test. Seven pages or more will ask us not only to choose between federal, state and local candidates for office but also to set structure and policy for the state and county and cities like Miami for years, maybe decades, to come.

Amendments are important. Referendum questions sometimes matter even more than a two-man contest where the winner lasts a max four years.

A lot of important things hang in the balance: Affordable housing, gambling influence, public safety. Here is Ladra’s guide and recommendations for the 12 state amendments — Amendment 8 was struck from the ballot by the court after it found the language misleading — and county questions on this ballot:

Amendment 1 would add an extra $25,000 homestead exemption — and an annual tax break of $200 or so — for homes valued over $100,000. Our local politicos are screaming bloody murder because this takes dollars out of their greedy little hands. They warn about fewer property taxes to pay for services and capital improvements. But they could also learn to spend better and their lack to truly roll back taxes — leaving a flat rate that amounts to a tax increase because property values increase — does increase their tax base every year. Homeowners need relief. And politicos need a lesson. So vote yes.

Amendment 2 also deals with property taxes. It would take a 10 percent cap on annual tax increases for vacation homes, apartments and commercial properties that voters approved in 2008 and make it permanent. The break is scheduled to expire this year. Experts warn that without an extension, these properties could see huge tax increases and those costs would trickle down to renters — further exacerbating the affordable housing crisis — and consumers who would pay more for products and services, from lumber to a haircut and everything in between. Vote yes.

Amendment 3 would give voters the exclusive right to approve casino gambling and expansions in the state, taking away the power from legislators. Good idea. It should be up to us in our communities not some big shot empty suits getting wined and dined by lobbyists in Tallahassee. Yes, it is true that this was started by a political action committee backed by Disney and the Seminole tribe to take out any competition before it starts. But it should be up to the residents. Added bonus: We take gaming money out of campaigns. Vote yes.

Amendment 4 would restore the voting rights of felons after they’ve served their sentences. Not all felons, mind you. People convicted of murder or sex offenses would not be able to vote again. Ever. Which Ladra thinks is still too harsh. If they are rehabilitated and did their time, if they are released and finish parole, maybe we could even have some criteria — say, community hours or something — all felons should be able to vote again. But this is a good start. Vote yes.

Amendment 5 would require a two-thirds vote in the state legislature to increase or impose any new taxes or fees. That sounds like a good idea, too, but it’s not. I know some might think we will get the two-thirds vote if we really need it, but that’s incredibly difficult if not partisanly impossible. This would tie legislators’ hands and we elect them for a reason. Vote no.

Amendment 6 expands the rights of crime victims under the state constitution, providing for more communication with prosecutors and notification of the status of a case, including a right to provide information before the release of anyone convicted of a crime and the right to be heard in trial proceedings. Voting for this would also raise the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75, which doesn’t seem like that much of a stretch, even though we should generally be going in the other direction. But it’s worth it for the victims’ rights. Vote yes.

Amendment 7 would require a two-thirds vote of university trustees to raise college tuition or fees and would provide paid college tuition to survivors of first responders and members of the military who are killed in the line of duty. Both of these things are good and the costs are negligible. Vote yes.

Amendment 9 would prohibit oil and gas drilling in Florida waters — which seems smart in light of our tourism economy — and ban vaping in indoor workplaces. So folks’ll just have to go outside for a vape just like a smoke. Again, a couple of no-brainers. Vote yes.

Amendment 10 is the one that would establish an elected sheriff and supervisor of elections in Miami-Dade. Right now, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez is in charge of both departments because he can hire or fire both department heads. It wasn’t long ago he declared himself the supervisor of elections, which seems like a huge abuse of power. This amendment would also create a Department of Veterans Affairs and an office of domestic security, both of which seem like a good idea. If anyone is worried about how we would pay for these things, please be assured there are state offices and jobs now that would simply be transferred to a new focus. Vote yes.

Amendment 11 would remove language in the constitution that is outdated, like parts that prohibit non-citizens from owning property. It also deletes a provision that forces the state to prosecute people under the law they were originally charged under, even if the legislature changes that law. There is no downside. Vote yes.

Amendment 12 would restrict public officials from lobbying state government while they’re in office and for six years after they are out of office. Right now, the cap is on the first two years after they leave, which means that often they can lobby their one-time colleagues. Because most state legislators are termed out after eight years, this would cut down on cronyism. Vote yes.

Amendment 13 would end greyhound racing in Florida by 2020. Ladra’s heart is torn on this one. South Florida is so entrenched in dog racing and horse racing that its become part of our history and culture. Plus there are a lot of jobs in the industry. If this passes, it could shut down 12 dog tracks in Florida. And what happens to these dogs once they are jobless? Do they have retirement plans? But the industry does have its problems and its not okay for dogs to be injured and exploited for human pleasure. Maybe these dog tracks can be converted into something more useful. Vote yes.

amendments, casino gambling, lobbying

Ladra’s guide to state amendments added by Ladra on October 17, 2018
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