The League of Women Voters of Florida, a nonpartisan political group, “encourages informed and active participation in government. It also works to increase understanding of major public policy issues. And influences public policy through education and advocacy,” according to its website, which also provides voters the opportunity to view a sample ballot and check their voter status.
“We at the LWVF strongly disapprove of Amendment 3,” said Deirdre Macnab, president of the political group. “One state has already tried this, and their ranking in money spent on schools has fallen.”
Colorado is the only state that used the formula of population to calculate revenue, which it did in 1992, and Macnab said it was a “failed formula.”
Sixty percent of voters must vote yes for an amendment to be added to the constitution. Once an amendment is passed, it is difficult to remove. Macnab said Amendment 3 is the worst of the amendments on the ballot.
“It is deceptive and serves to undermine the legal constitution,” Macnab said. “A number of the amendments are tax exemptions and have no right being in the constitution.”
If passed, Amendment 3 will affect all Floridians.
“Funding for education, the elderly and veterans would decline,” Macnab said.
Transportation, health programs, public transit, means to protect the environment and other public services would also be short-funded.
For more information on the LWVF’s stance on Amendment 3 and the 11 additional amendments, visit www.thefloridavoter.org/resources/issues/2012-constitutional-amendments.