Former commissioners and lawmakers are offering advice for the upcoming Constitutional Review Commission. The LeRoy Collins Institute hosted a conference Wednesday in preparation for the review. Former Commissioner Martha Barnett says the review is a powerful opportunity.
"It does not have to go to the Legislature, it does not have to go to the Courts. This is an opportunity to take proposals directly to the ballot. It’s extremely powerful when you stop and think about that," she said.
The commission is charged with reviewing and recommending changes to the state constitution. The 37 commissioners are appointed by the governor, Legislature and chief justice of the Supreme Court. Former Governor Bob Martinez says the constitutional commission must represent all Floridians.
"I think it's really imperative that those 37 people represent the population of the people of Florida and not necessarily the state capitol, in order, in my view, to have legitimacy throughout the state," he said.
The process is unique to Florida, and unlike other constitutional initiatives, proposals go directly on the ballot. Former commissioners said criminal justice reform, campaign funding and the right to die could all use a second look.
