Special interests behind push for Amendment 3

[seafan]

Special interests behind push for Amendment 3

BY CARL HIAASEN
October 15, 2006

One of the most audacious and cynical attacks on the rights of Florida voters will appear as ''Amendment 3'' on the Nov. 7 ballot.
A coalition of powerful special interest groups wants to amend the state Constitution to make it harder to -- of all things -- amend the state Constitution.

To thwart grass-roots movements that threaten their chokehold on the Tallahassee power structure, the promoters of Amendment 3 want the rules changed so that all future amendments will require 60 percent of the popular vote, instead of the current simple majority.
Those conspiring in this power grab are hiding behind a lofty-sounding front called ''Protect Our Constitution,'' which more truthfully ought to be named ``Protect Our Political Connections.''
Among the industry lobby groups and big-name companies that don't trust Floridians to shape their own constitution: The National Association of Home Builders, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, The Florida Association of Realtors, U.S. Sugar, The St. Joe Co., Lykes Bros. Inc., the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Publix (where shopping might be a pleasure, but civic activism is apparently an annoyance).

Most corporate donors to the Amendment 3 campaign aren't publicizing their involvement because they don't want Floridians to get the right idea -- that it's a sucker punch disguised as reform.
The entire point of citizens' initiatives is to enable frustrated voters to press an issue that their elected representatives have chosen to ignore. In Florida, the only way to do that is to change the Constitution.

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Scrolling the list of Amendment 3's donors, you can understand why they're eager to shut the public out of the lawmaking business.

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Opposition to Amendment 3 is bipartisan and diverse, from former Sen. Bob Graham to ultraconservative religious leaders. They're united in the view that any law that makes it more difficult for citizens to be heard -- and easier for special interests to stack the political deck -- is bad.
Amendment 3's supporters are hoping most people won't bother to read the fine print on the ballot item, and will instead fall for the well-financed hype.

The magic number to prove them wrong is 50.1 percent, at least for now. If you honestly want to protect Florida's Constitution, vote No on Amendment 3.

[fladonkey]

1. PLEASE!!!!!!

vote NO on Amendment 3.

[seafan]

2. Jeb is for this amendment. Did we ever wonder?

Jeb Backs Amendment 3

October 17, 2006

Rumor had it the Governor might be rethinking his support of Amendment 3 in the wake of the Florida Supreme Court's ruling on vouchers. If the amendment passes, any proposed constitutional amendment -- including one to restore school vouchers -- would require a 60-percent approval rate.

But Bush, who has consistently pushed to make the state Constitution harder to amend, isn't wavering. He told reporters Tuesday he's voting for Amendment 3, contrary to the stands of the two men vying to replace him. Both Jim Davis and Charlie Crist oppose Amendment 3.

'Nuff said...

[ellenfl]

3. amendment 3 is a definite 'no'! eom