Republican Liberty Caucus Lake-Sumter
2020 Ballot Voter Guide
PRINT 2020 BALLOT VOTER GUIDE
Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida
2020 Ballot Amendment Voter Guide
The Republican Liberty Caucus is a national grassroots organization working to advance the principles of individual rights, limited government, free markets, and personal freedom and responsibility.
The Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida (RLCFL) has always been proactive in advocating for liberty in the Florida Legislature. As part of our mission we have a candidate endorsement process to identify which candidates are dedicated to principles of limited government and individual freedom. Our legislative scorecard is an important indicator as we decide on which candidates to support.
We also believe in educating voters on Constitutional Amendments appearing on the general election ballot. These state Constitutional amendments can have a big effect on our lives and once passed, they are difficult to repeal.
There are five ways to place an amendment on the ballot. The Florida Legislature, Citizen Initiative, Constitution Review Committee (meets once every 20 years), Budget and Taxation Review Committee, (meets once every 20 years) and a Constitutional Convention.
For the 2020 ballot there are six Amendments. Four Amendments were placed on the ballot through the Citizen Initiative process and two were placed on the ballot by the Florida Legislature.
We have provided this analysis for your consideration as you decide how to vote on these ballot amendments. We show the ballot title, ballot summary, which articles and sections of the state Constitution that are being changed, fiscal impact and our position to support or oppose the Amendment.
NOTE: Florida law requires the Financial Impact Estimating Conference (FIEC) to adopt and prepare a financial impact statement for any proposed constitutional amendment that has been placed on the ballot through the citizens’ initiative process. The state Revenue Estimating Conference prepared the fiscal impact for the Amendments placed on the ballot by the Florida Legislature.
RLCFL POSITION:
AMENDMENT 1 – SUPPORTS
AMENDMENT 2 – OPPOSES
AMENDMENT 3 – OPPOSES
AMENDMENT 4 – SUPPORTS
AMENDMENT 5 – SUPPORTS
AMENDMENT 6 – SUPPORTS
AMENDMENT 1-Citizenship Requirement to Vote in Florida Elections
Amendment 1 would amend Section 2 of Article VI of the Florida Constitution. Amendment 1 was placed on the ballot through a citizen initiative.
Ballot Summary
“This amendment provides that only United States Citizens who are at least eighteen years of age, a permanent resident of Florida, and registered to vote, as provided by law, shall be qualified to vote in a Florida election”.
Projected Fiscal Impact
The FIEC has prepared and adopted the following financial impact statement for Amendment 1:
“Because the proposed amendment is not expected to result in any changes to the voter registration process in Florida, it will have no impact on state or local government costs or revenues. Further, it will have no effect on the state’s economy.”
RLCFL Analysis
The Florida Constitution currently says, “Every citizen of the United States who is at least eighteen years of age and who is a permanent resident of the state, if registered as provided by law, shall be an elector of the county where registered.”
Under the ballot measure, the Florida Constitution would say, “Only a citizen of the United States who is at least eighteen years of age and who is a permanent resident of the state, if registered as provided by law, shall be an elector of the county where registered.”
The current language only states who can vote but does not adequately specify who is not allowed to vote.
This Amendment is a needed “clarification” of language requiring United States citizenship to vote in Florida elections.
RLCFL SUPPORTS AMENDMENT 1
AMENDMENT 2-Raising Florida’s Minimum Wage
Amendment 2 would amend Section 24 of Article X of the Florida Constitution. Amendment 2 was placed on the ballot by citizen initiative.
Ballot Summary
Raises minimum wage to $10.00 per hour effective September 30th, 2021. Each September 30th thereafter, minimum wage shall increase by $1.00 per hour until the minimum wage reaches $15.00 per hour on September 30th, 2026. From that point forward, future minimum wage increases shall revert to being adjusted annually for inflation starting September 30th, 2027.
Projected Fiscal Impact
The FEIC has prepared and adopted the following financial impact statement for Amendment 2:
“State and local government costs will increase to comply with the new minimum wage levels. Additional annual wage costs will be approximately $16 million in 2022, increasing to about $540 million in 2027 and thereafter. Government actions to mitigate these costs are unlikely to produce material savings. Other government costs and revenue impacts, both positive and negative, are not quantifiable.”
RLCFL Analysis
This Amendment will eventually raise the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour and will cause job losses, and higher prices. Businesses will have to pass on higher employee costs to consumers by raising the cost of their products and many businesses will eliminate jobs rather than paying the higher wage. Businesses that do not eliminate jobs will reduce hours and benefits. Bottom line is this Amendment will cause harm to those it claims to help.
RLCFL OPPOSES AMENDMENT 2
AMENDMENT 3-All Voters Vote in Primary Elections for State Legislature, Governor, and Cabinet
Amendment 3 would add a section to Section 5 of Article VI of the Florida Constitution. Amendment 3 was placed on the ballot by citizen initiative.
Ballot Summary
“Allows all registered voters to vote in primaries for state legislature, governor, and cabinet regardless of political party affiliation. All candidates for an office, including party nominated candidates, appear on the same primary ballot. Two highest vote getters advance to general election. If only two candidates qualify, no primary is held, and winner is determined in general election. Candidate’s party affiliation may appear on ballot as provided by law. Effective January 1, 2024.
Projected Fiscal Impact
The FIEC has prepared and adopted the following financial impact statement for Amendment 3:
“It is probable that the proposed amendment will result in additional state and local government costs to conduct elections in Florida. The Financial Impact Estimating Conference projects that the combined costs across counties will range from $5.2 million to $5.8 million for each of the first three election cycles occurring in even-numbered years after the amendment’s effective date, with the costs for each of the intervening years dropping to less than $450,000. With respect to state costs for oversight, the additional costs for administering elections are expected to be minimal. Further, there are no revenues linked to voting in Florida. Since there is no impact on state costs or revenues, there will be no impact on the state’s budget. While the proposed amendment will result in an increase in local expenditures, this change is expected to be below the threshold that would produce a statewide economic impact.”
RLCFL Analysis
Instead of Republican party primaries and Democrat party primaries, there would be one primary ballot for each race, (aka “Jungle Primary”) that would have all qualified candidates regardless of party affiliation on one ballot, then the top two candidates with the most votes would move on to the General election.
Supporters say this Amendment will allow independents to have a say in the primary election instead of waiting to only vote in the General election. We believe Republicans should choose their nominees and Democrats should choose their nominees. A Jungle Primary would result in voters in one party manipulating the election by voting for candidates in the other party that they think is a weaker candidate.
If independent voters want to vote in a primary, they should register in one of the political parties.
RLCFL OPPOSES AMENDMENT 3
AMENDMENT 4-Voter Approval of Constitutional Amendments
Amendment 4 would amend Sections 5 and 7 of Article XI of the Florida Constitution. Amendment 4 was placed on the ballot by citizen initiative.
Ballot Summary
“Requires all proposed amendments or revisions to the state constitution to be approved by the voters in two elections, instead of one, to take effect. The proposal applies the current thresholds for passage to each of the two elections”.
Projected Fiscal Impact
The FIEC has prepared and adopted the following financial impact statement for Amendment 4:
“It is probable that the proposed amendment will result in additional state and local government costs to conduct elections in Florida. Overall, these costs will vary from election cycle to election cycle depending on the unique circumstances of each ballot and cannot be estimated at this time. The key factors determining cost include the number of amendments appearing for the second time on each ballot and the length of those amendments. Since the maximum state cost is likely less than $1 million per cycle but the impact cannot be discretely quantified, the change to the state’s budget is unknown. Similarly, the economic impact cannot be modelled, although the spending increase is expected to be below the threshold that would produce a statewide economic impact. Because there are no revenues linked to voting in Florida, there will be no impact on government taxes or fees.”
RLCFL Analysis
Amendment 4 would require constitutional amendments to be approved by voters at two successive general elections to become effective. Currently in Florida, if voters approve an amendment at one general election, it becomes part of the constitution. Just like the difficult process to add an Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the process to amend the Florida Constitution should be as difficult. It has become evident that Florida’s Constitution is too easily changed. Since 1968, the Florida Constitution has been amended 140 times. When it comes to lawmaking, the Founders created a Republic, not a Democracy, especially a Direct Democracy, where citizens vote on every law. Amendment 4 will make sure a change to the Florida Constitution receives a thorough review.
RLCFL SUPPORTS AMENDMENT 4
AMENDMENT 5-Limitations on Homestead Assessments
Amendment 5 would amend section 4 of Article VII and create a new section in Article XII of the state constitution. Amendment 5 was placed on the ballot by the Florida Legislature.
Ballot Summary
“Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution, effective January 1, 2021, to increase, from 2 years to 3 years, the period of time during which accrued Save-Our-Homes benefits may be transferred from a prior homestead to a new homestead”.
Projected Fiscal Impact
The state Revenue Estimating Conference has estimated the proposed change would trim local property taxes by $1.8 million next fiscal year, growing to $10.2 million in five years. A little more than one-third of these revenue losses ($3.8 million) would be attributable to school districts and other local governments (cities, counties, and special districts) would lose $6.4 million.
RLCFL Analysis
This amendment would extend the period during which a person may transfer “Save Our Homes” benefits (Portability) to a new homestead property from two years to three years.
Portability is the ability to transfer up to $500,000 of accumulated Save Our Homes assessment difference from a prior homesteaded property to a new homesteaded property.
Currently, if a person moves to a new home, they have two years to transfer their “Save Our Homes” benefit to have the new home assessed “at less than just value.” The amendment would increase that time-period to three years rather than two.
Amendment 5 fixes a quirk in the way property appraisers calculate the 2-year rule. The problem is, it is not really two years, depending on what month you sold your home. In the case of a home sold in late December of 2019, for example, the homestead exemption would no longer be there on Jan. 1, 2020. If the owner does not buy and move into a new home by Jan. 1, 2021, a homestead would not be established at the new residence within the current portability timeframe. So, in the space of a year and a few days, not two full years, the portability period would have expired.
RLCFL SUPPORTS AMENDMENT 5
AMENDMENT 6-Ad Valorem Tax Discount for Spouses of Certain Deceased Veterans Who Had Permanent, Combat-Related Disabilities.
Amendment 6 would amend section 6 of Article VII and Article XII of the state constitution. Amendment 6 was placed on the ballot by the Florida Legislature.
Ballot Summary
“Provides that the homestead property tax discount for certain veterans with permanent combat-related disabilities carries over to such veteran’s surviving spouse who holds legal or beneficial title to, and who permanently resides on, the homestead property, until he or she remarries or sells or otherwise disposes of the property. The discount may be transferred to a new homestead property of the surviving spouse under certain conditions. The amendment takes effect January 1, 2021”.
Projected Fiscal Impact
Assuming current millage rates, the state Revenue Estimating Conference estimated the proposed constitutional amendment to have a negative impact on school tax revenues of $0.4 million in fiscal year 2021-22 with a recurring negative impact of $1.6 million. The negative impact on non-school property tax revenues is estimated to be $0.6 million in fiscal year 2021-22 with a recurring negative impact of $2.4 million.
RLCFL Analysis
The Florida Constitution provides a discount from the amount of ad valorem tax otherwise owed on the homestead property of an honorably discharged veteran who is age 65 or older and is partially or totally and permanently disabled because of combat. The discount is equal to the percentage of the veteran’s disability as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Currently, the homestead property tax discount for veterans expires upon their death and is not extended to their spouses.
This amendment would allow a homestead property tax discount to be transferred to the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran. The discount would be in effect until the spouse remarries, sells, or otherwise disposes of the property. If the spouse sells the property and does not remarry, the spouse’s new primary residence may receive a homestead tax discount not exceeding the dollar amount from the most recent ad valorem tax roll. The amendment would take effect January 1, 2021.
RLCFL SUPPORTS AMENDMENT 6
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