Education amendment supporters might unite

© St. Petersburg Times
published August 1, 2002

TALLAHASSEE -- Supporters of three controversial and costly education measures might join forces in a bid to win voter approval of all three.

Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas is the driving force behind a move to force the state to provide free prekindergarten education for every 4-year-old by 2005. It is the first of the three proposed constitutional amendments to make it to the Nov. 5 ballot.

U.S. Sen. Bob Graham is leading a campaign to restore a statewide university governing board. State Sen. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, is leading an effort to reduce class sizes. The two measures have not yet been certified for the ballot.

State economists estimate the class size amendment could cost up to $27-billion, while the pre-K amendment could cost up to $650-million. The same economists could not estimate the cost of the university amendment.

State elections officials say the class size amendment has 450,000 of the required 488,722 signatures. Graham's campaign has collected 397,059 signatures. The deadline for both is Aug. 6.

Penelas got 512,184 signatures to gain certification of the pre-K issue. He said the true cost of the amendment is around $300-million and thinks it will save money now spent on remedial education.

Penelas said Wednesday he is talking with supporters of the other education amendments about the possibility of a joint campaign to support the issues. He said he believes the measures can be passed with a grass-roots campaign.

He also predicted opponents will use "scare tactics" to convince voters that there will have to be cuts in Medicaid and elder services if the amendments pass. "No one will come out and say they are opposed to pre-K," Penelas added.

Of the eight issues approved for voter consideration thus far, six were put on the ballot by legislators. Here is a brief look at the first eight:

Amendment 1: Re-establishes the death penalty as an authorized punishment for capital crimes and authorizes the Legislature to designate methods of execution.

Amendment 2: Requires the state to determine the economic impact of all constitutional amendments before voters consider the measures.

Amendment 3: Allows voters in Miami-Dade County to make changes to their home rule charter after a referendum.

Amendment 4: Requires a two-thirds vote of the Legislature before exemptions are added to the state's public records and open meetings laws.

Amendment 5: Establishes a review panel to consider sales tax exemptions and make recommendations to the Legislature before any exemption is removed.

Amendment 6: Prohibits smoking in most indoor areas, with exceptions for retail tobacco shops and designated guest rooms in hotels and bars.

Amendment 7: Allows counties to grant a property tax exemption to the owners of homes who construct living quarters for elderly relatives.

Amendment 8: Requires the state to provide free education for 4-year-olds.

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