The Florida Constitutional Revision Commission is currently reviewing potential changes to the state constitution. “Proposal 23” is a wet dream for environmental special interests, but bad for Floridians.
By Jacob Engels
Free-market activists are sounding the alarm on a proposal to the state’s constitution that is masquerading as a “right to clean air and water.”
Like with most legislation pushed by environmental special interest groups, it’s something at face value that everyone would seemingly agree with.
However, the truth is that the proposal is redundant and would severely damage Florida’s economy. According to a release from government watchdog Everett Wilkinson, the state constitution already protects our natural resources and scenic beauty.
Further, the constitution states “Adequate provision shall be made by law for the abatement of air and water pollution and of excessive and unnecessary noise and for the conservation and protection of natural resources.”
Under the new proposal known as “Proposal 23”, anyone could sue a business at ANYTIME if they felt their right to clean air and water was threatened. Businesses would be destroyed by lawsuits and that is not okay.
This would be a boondoggle for slimy lawyers, but could potentially cost Florida taxpayers tens of millions of dollars a year to defend in court. It would radically alter very specific and already established language in our constitution, swapping it for vast generalities.
To fight back against “Proposal 23” and learn more about the Constitutional Review Commission, contact me members of the CRC.
The proposal is scheduled to be heard in the CRC’s Judicial Committee soon. Join us in urging the CRC commissioners to VOTE NO on Proposal 23! They can be reached at:
Chair: Commissioner William “Bill” Schifino, Jr.
Phone: (850) 792-5825
Email: William.Schifino@flcrc.gov
Commissioner Anna Marie Hernandez Gamez
Phone: (850) 320-8716
Email: Anna.Gamez@flcrc.gov
Commissioner Pam Bondi
Phone: (850) 414-3990
Email: Pam.Bondi@flcrc.gov
Commissioner Timothy Cerio
Phone: (850) 296-2920
Email: Timothy.Cerio@flcrc.gov
Commissioner Hank Coxe
Phone: (904) 353-0211
Email: Hank.Coxe@flcrc.gov
Commissioner Arthenia Joyner
Phone: (813) 591-0625
Email: Arthenia.Joyner@flcrc.gov
Commissioner Tom Lee
Phone: (813) 653-7061
Email: Tom.Lee@flcrc.gov
Commissioner Roberto Martinez
Phone: (305) 476-7400
Email: Roberto.Martinez@flcrc.gov
Commissioner Carolyn Timmann
Phone: (772) 210-4398
Email: Carolyn.Timmann@flcrc.gov