By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-997795.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – A new state law allowing the attorney general to rewrite ballot summaries is underway. Lynn Hatter reports state Attorney General Pam Bondi has submitted new language for a legislatively-placed constitutional amendment proposal that was rejected by the courts only days ago.
The fight is over Amendment Seven a measure that lawmakers approved earlier in the year that critics say would allow the state to fund religious groups. A coalition led by the state's teacher's union say the ballot summary is misleading, and last week a circuit judge agreed, striking the amendment from the 2012 ballot. But a change to state law now allows the attorney general to make changes, instead of the case being appealed to higher courts.
Tuesday, Bondi sent the revised amendment summary to the secretary of state, who can then put it back on the 2012 ballot. In the future, if someone challenges the revised summary it will go back to the judge.