Proposed amendments to Florida's Constitution for the special election of 1963

A flier describing the proposed amendments to Florida's state constitution up for referendum at a special election to be held November 5, 1963. The proposed amendments included one allowing a new bond issue for capital outlay for institutions of higher learning, one allowing a new bond issue for outdoor recreational facilities, and one adjusting the election dates of certain state officers so they would be chosen in non-presidential election years.

League of Women Voters of Florida

State Library of Florida, Florida Collection, BR0171

1963

broadsides (notices)

eng-US

Text

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Postwar Florida (1945-1968)

Florida

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published 1963

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Politics and Government

League of Women Voters of Florida

Churchill, Mrs. Walter R.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO FLORIDA'S CONSTITUTION
SPECIAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 5, 1963

Analysis by
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF FLORIDA

VOTERS-Know the amendments before voting!
The following information includes an analysis of the proposed amendments and a brief summary of pro and con positions which may be useful to you in reaching a decision. Check the sample ballot (published in newspapers or available at the polls on election day) to be sure of the order in which the amendments will be printed in your county.

ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR CAPITAL OUTLAY AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING- Art. XII, added section
If approved, this amendment would authorize the issuing of bonds to provide funds for capital outlay (such projects as constructing and equipping buildings) at universities, junior colleges and certain vocational technical schools. The projects to be pain for by proceeds from the bond sales must be authorized by a 3/5 vote in each house of the legislature. The legislature has already approved a detailed list of projects. Of these, $75,000,000 worth may be undertaken if this amendment is approved by the voters.

The technical arrangements for the proposed bond issues include the following provisions:
For 50 years, beginning January 1, 1964, gross receipt taxes will be places in a trust fund. This fund will be used as the basis for issuing the bonds and the source for repaying them.
The State Board of Education will be in charge of issuing the bonds, supervising the trust fund and turning over funds for authorized projects.
The State Board of Administration is named as the fiscal agent of the State Board of Education.
Maximum interest allowed on the bonds will be 4 1/2 %.
Maximum time between issuance and maturity of the bonds is 30 years.
Bonds cannot be sold by the State Board of Education at less than 98% of par value.
Bonds must be sold at public sale after public advertisement.
Detailed provisions are made for the amount of bonds which may be issued in relation to the amount of gross receipt taxes collected.
No more than $50,000,000 of bonds may be authorized in any future biennium except by 2/3 vote in each house of the legislature.

PRO-Florida must meet the need for college facilities which is created by the rapidly expanding college population. The bond issue would make it possible to provide buildings and equipment when they are needed, but would spread the cost over a long period of time. To postpone construction would entail greater cost at a later date when building costs probably would be higher. The amendment includes extensive safeguards to make sure that the financing is efficiently handled.

CON-If these bonds are issued more taxes would be required to take the place of the gross receipt taxes in the general revenue fund and to meet the expenses of operating the new college buildings after they are constructed. Borrowing is more expensive in the long run than to pay-as-you-go. Some of the proposed projects could be postponed or scaled down.

ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION-Art. IX, added section
This amendment, if approved, would permit the issuing of bonds to provide funds for purposes of outdoor recreation and natural resources conservation. The Outdoor Recreational Development Council would be allowed to issue bonds or other evidences of indebtedness to acquire lands, water areas and related resources and to construct capital improvements and facilities thereon.
The Land Acquisition Trust Fund, created by the 1963 Legislature, would be used to back the bonds. The legislature is to designate the revenue or tax sources to be deposited in this fund. The legislature may impose restrictions on the issuance of the bonds including fixing maximum interest rates and discounts.

PRO-Now is the time to acquire recreation areas and conserve natural resources for the public before the desirable and needed sites become too expensive or too difficult to purchase. This is a situation where money spent now may save much greater expense later.
CON-The Land Acquisition Trust Fund may be used now to conserve natural resources and purchase recreation areas on a pay-as-you-go basis. Deficit financing is expensive. The amendment does not include detailed provisions to assure proper financial arrangements.

ELECTION DATES OF STATE OFFICERS-Art. IV, Sec. 2 and 20
This amendment, if approved, would provide for the governor and cabinet officers to be elected in the even-numbered, non-presidential election years. At present, these officials (governor, secretary of state, attorney general, comptroller, treasurer, superintendent of public instruction and commissioner of agriculture) are elected at the same time as the President of the United States.
The change in election dates would be accompanied by having the governor and cabinet officers, elected in 1964, serve two year terms. From 1966 onward, these officials would be elected for four year terms.
The governor, elected for a two year term in 1964, would be eligible for re-election in 1966. From 1966 onward, the governor would not be eligible for re-election for the next succeeding term.

PRO-State-wide elections deserve the full attention of the voters and should not be confused by the distraction of national elections occurring at the same time. The present system creates a long and difficult ballot in presidential years and offers so few contests in off-years that voters lose interest.
The proposed change would encourage a better informed and more active electorate in both state and national elections.

CON-The proposed change in election dates would separate the state candidates from national party platforms and candidates. Candidates at state and national levels should be able to work together, share responsibility and help each other. Also, it would cause unnecessary expense and interruption in state government to have the governor and cabinet officers elected in 1966 as the two year term would require.

Additional copies $5 per thousand, 75 cents per hundred
MRS. WALTER R. CHURCHILL
Voters Service Chairman
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF FLORIDA
4791 Baywood Point
Gulfpoint 11, Florida

Issued September, 1963