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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Hello Tampa Chapter members and friends,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I’m pleased to pass along to you this summary of Florida’s Constitutional amendments. These amendments will appear on the November election ballot. The league of Women Voters has made this summary available to all who want to learn how these amendments would affect our daily lives. </span><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>There will be two guest speakers from the League coming to help us get a better understanding of these amendments, Sandy Sroka and Christine Bright.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>They will be glad to answer our questions, so having this summary to look over before we go to the meeting will be a great help.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>The summary is attached and also pasted below my signature.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>O’Brien’s has assured us we can come into our meeting room as early as 10:30, so we will have an opportunity to chat and get to know one another a little better. The meeting will begin at 11:00, and Sandy and Christine will begin their program around 11:10.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I’m looking forward to seeing everyone this Saturday at the Brandon O’Brien’s!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Warm regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Sherrill<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Sherrill o’Brien, Secretary<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Tampa Bay Chapter<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>National Federation of the Blind of Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>AmendmentSummary_Sept13.pdf<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>There are 12 proposed Constitutional Amendments on the ballot <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. All require 60% to pass. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>As of Sept. 7, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that Amendment 8 is off the ballot. Amendments 7, 9 and 11 have been ordered by a circuit court judge to<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>be removed. The state has appealed to the Supreme Court. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Amendment 1: Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption. Would increase homestead exemption by $25,000 for homes valued at more than $100,000 (proposed<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>by the State Legislature) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote yes would amount to a loss of tax revenue. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote no would retain the current exemption. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Supporting Organizations: None at this time. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Opposing Organizations: League of Women Voters of Florida; Florida Policy Institute; Florida League of Cities; Progress Florida; Florida Education Association<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Amendment 2: Would make permanent a 10% cap on non-homestead assessments (including second homes and rental apartments) that was set to expire on Jan.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>2019 (State Legislature) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote yes would keep the 10% cap and disallow tax revenue for rising property values. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote no would end tax limits on non-homestead property and possibly increase taxes for schools. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Supporting Organizations: Florida Association of Realtors <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Opposing Organizations; League of Women Voters of Florida; Florida Education Association <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Amendment 3: Would require a constitutional amendment to approve any new casino gambling (Citizen Initiative) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote yes would require the voters to approve a citizen initiative to authorize any casino gambling in Florida. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote no would continue to allow casino gambling to be approved by the legislature. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Supporting Organizations: Voters In Charge; Disney Worldwide Services; Seminole Tribe of Florida; No Casinos, Inc.; League of Women Voters of Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Opposing Organizations: Florida Education Association <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Amendment 4: Would restore the voting rights of former felons (except those convicted of murder or felony sex offenses) after completing their sentences<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>(Citizen Initiative) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote yes would grant former felons the right to vote. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote no would continue making former felons wait a minimum of 5 years before applying to the Governor and Cabinet. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Supporting Organizations: Florida Rights Restoration Coalition; Floridians for a Fair Democracy; ACLU of Florida; League of Women Voters of Florida; Progress<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Florida; Florida Policy Institute; Florida National Organization of Women <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Opposing Organizations: Floridians for a Sensible Voting Rights Policy <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Amendment 5: Supermajority vote required to impose, authorize or raise taxes or fees (State Legislature) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote yes would require a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and House. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote no allows the Legislature to continue to approve increases in taxes and fees with a simple majority, and to bundle tax bills with other measures<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Supporting Organizations: Florida Tax Watch <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Opposing Organizations: League of Women Voters of Florida; Florida Policy Institute; Progress Florida; Florida Education Association <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Amendments 6-11 contain multiple parts bundled into single “yes/no” proposals, by the Constitutional Revision Commission. We will concentrate on the most<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>important elements of these amendments. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Amendment 6: Expands victims’ rights, many of which are in state law, while limiting time for accused to file appeals. Eliminates an existing constitutional<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>provision that victims’ rights do not interfere with the constitutional rights of the accused. Raises the retirement age of judges from 70 to 75. Prohibits<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>courts and judges from deferring to state agencies interpretation. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote yes would enshrine more victim’s rights in the constitution while eliminating an existing provision for the rights of the accused, raise mandatory<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>retirement age for a judge, and force judges to decide if the state agency correctly interpreted the law. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote no would retain existing victim’s rights in the constitution, and not set a deadline for appeals, keep judges’ retirement age at 70, and continue<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>to allow state agencies’ interpretation of state laws. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Supporting Organization: 24 Florida Sheriffs; Florida Smart Justice <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Opposing Organizations: ACLU of Florida; League of Women Voters of Florida; Florida Education Association <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Amendment 7: First Responder and Military Member Survivor Benefits, Public Colleges and Universities <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Creates a supermajority requirement for universities to impose new or increase student fees. Enshrine guidelines for state colleges in Constitution. Mandates<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>a death benefit for first responders and military killed in the line of duty. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote yes would force a supermajority vote for university fee increases, add framework of state colleges in the Constitution, and would require the State<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>to pay death benefits to U.S. Military residents or those stationed in Florida. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote no would continue allowing majority vote for fee increases; exclude a framework for state colleges in the constitution; continue providing death<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>benefits for first responders through state law. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Supporting Organizations: Association of Florida Colleges <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Opposing Organizations: League of Women Voters Florida; Florida Education Association <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>OFF THE BALLOT: Amendment 8: Public Schools. Allow the state Legislature to set up a state-run system for establishing and operating public schools. Creates<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>term limits for all school boards. Creates a constitutional requirement for civics education in public schools, something already required by state law.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote yes would establish terms limits for school board members; permit Legislature to establish state-run public schools; put in the Constitution mandatory<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>civics classes. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote no would reject term limits; keep local school boards the sole authority for approving and supervising public schools; reject a constitutional mandate<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>for something that is required by state law. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Supporting Organizations: U.S. Term Limits <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Opposing Organizations: Florida School Boards Association; League of Women Voters Florida; Florida Policy Institute; Florida Education Association; Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>National Organization of Women <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Amendment 9: Prohibits offshore drilling beneath waters controlled by Florida. Prohibits use of e-cigarettes (vaping). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote yes would enshrine in Constitution a ban on offshore oil and gas drilling; signal Florida’s opposition to offshore drilling; add vaping restrictions<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>to Constitution. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote no would keep a drilling ban out of the Constitution; signal to federal government that Florida doesn’t care about off shore drilling; keep vaping<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>out of the Constitution. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Supporting Organizations: Florida Wildlife Federation; Gulf Restoration Network; American Cancer Association; Cancer Action Network; League of Women Voters<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Florida; Florida Policy Institute; Progress Florida <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Opposing Organizations: Florida Petroleum Council; Associated Industries of Florida; Florida Chamber of Commerce; Consumers for Smoke-Free Alternatives<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Amendment 10: State and Local Government Structure and Operation. Requires Legislature in even years (election years) to start sessions in January. Creates<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Office of Domestic Security and Counterterrorism. Mandates existence of state Department of Veteran Affairs. Forces all counties to elect and never abolish<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>offices of: Sheriff, tax collector, property appraiser, Supervisor of Elections, and Clerk of Circuit Court. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote yes would fix the date of legislative sessions in even years; create office of Domestic Security and Counterterrorism; force the legislature to<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>always have a Department of Veteran Affairs; force all Florida counties to elect Constitutional Officers. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote no would continue to allow Legislature to set date for session in even numbered years; reject mandated Office of Security and Counterterrorism;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>reject mandated Department of Veteran Affairs; allow Florida’s charter counties to continue determining how the duties of the five county offices will<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>be arranged. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Supporting Organizations: None at this time <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Opposing Organizations: Florida League of Women Voters; Florida Education Association <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Amendment 11: Repeals the state’s ability to prohibit non-citizens from buying, owning, and selling property. Deletes a provision that forces the state<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>to prosecute criminal suspects under a law they were charged under, even if the law is repealed. Deletes obsolete high-speed rail language from the Constitution.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote yes would repeal Legislature’s right to restrict property rights of non-citizens; delete requirement to prosecute criminal suspects for laws that<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>have been changed since crime was committed; delete language about high speed rail. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote no would continue to have laws that restricts property rights of non-citizens; continue to allow criminal suspects to be prosecuted under repealed<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>laws; retain high speed rail in Constitution. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Supporting Organizations: None at this time <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Opposing Organizations: Florida Education Association <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Amendment 12: Expands restrictions on paid lobbying by former public officers. Creates restrictions on paid lobbying by currently serving public officers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Prohibits certain abuses of public office (CRC). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote yes would extend ban on state lobbying by legislators and statewide elected officials to 6 years after leaving office; prohibit legislators and<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>statewide elected officials from lobbying federal and local government agencies while in office; prohibit local elected officials from paid lobbying of<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>anyone while in office and their own governing body for 6 years. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote no would keep in place the current 2-year ban. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Supporting Organizations: Integrity Florida; Common Cause; Florida Policy Institute <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Opposing Organizations: Florida Education Association <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Amendment 13: Bans all wagering on any type of dog racing, although not stopping racing (CRC). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote yes would ban all wagering on dog racing by Dec. 31, 2020; result in a loss of $1 million in taxes. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>A vote no would continue to allow wagering on dog races. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Supporting Organizations: Gray2K USA; League of Women Voters Florida <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Opposing Organizations: Florida Greyhound Assoc.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>