Pensacola News Journal by Kevin Robinson

August 20, 2017

Do you have an idea for a policy that would make Florida a better place?

If so, the deadline to submit it to a group that could help make it a reality may be fast approaching.

The Florida Constitution Revision Commission — a body convened every 20 years to recommend amendments to the state Constitution — has recommended Sept. 22 as the deadline for members of the public to propose amendments they’d like to see on the November 2018 ballot.

Proposals can address any aspect of legal, social and legislative policy, and are collectively intended to represent ways to improve quality of life, health and prosperity for all Floridians. The CRC has been collecting suggestions at public forums throughout the state in its “Floridians Speak, We Listen” tour, as well accepting them online.

“We’re trying to get as much public input as possible,” said Timothy Cerio, chair of the CRC Rules and Administration Committee.

Cerio said more than 1,000 public proposals have already been submitted, and the proposed deadline — which will be voted on by the commission Sept. 19 — is to ensure the commission will have enough time to review and consider each submission.

Commission members have a proposed deadline of Oct. 24 to submit their own proposals, so Cerio said citizens who don’t hit the public deadline can still ask an individual commissioner to sponsor their proposal.

“Assuming these deadlines are adopted, there’s still enough time for a member of the commission to pick it up and file,” Cerio said.

…

How to submit a proposed constitutional amendment:

• Visit flcrc.gov
• New users must register for a free CRC Website Account by filling in the required fields and following the activation prompts
• Once logged into your account, click on the “Submit a Proposal” button on the upper right-hand side of the homepage
• Click on “Get Started” and then click on “Create a New Proposal” to submit a proposed change to the Florida Constitution using legal language
• Fill in the required fields and then submit the proposed constitutional amendment
• Proposals may take up to three (3) business days to be posted on the CRC website in accordance with the moderation policy

Note: Proposals must be typed within the application. Users cannot “copy & paste” text or upload attachments. Public proposals may also be submitted to the CRC by other means, including mail and email. Visit flcrc.gov for contact information. [READ MORE]