Florida lawmakers want to abolish constitution commission
Florida State Capitol Building
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida lawmakers want to ask voters to abolish a commission that meets every 20 years to propose changes to the constitution.
The Senate Government Oversight and Accountability Committee voted unanimously Monday for a measure that would ask 2020 voters to get rid of the Constitution Revision Commission.
Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes said the commission is more likely to be used for ill than gain and said it's become a partisan tool. The commission is appointed by the governor, Senate president, House speaker and state Supreme Court chief justice.
A similar measure passed the Senate earlier this year but died in the House.
In 2018, the commission placed seven items on the ballot. All passed.
But lawmakers complained the commission bundled more than one issue in several questions, including one that banned oil drilling in state waters and also vaping in workplaces.