TALHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) – Hundreds of students across Florida, from the Panhandle to the key, protested at the State Capitol on Thursday.
The protesters said they were there to defend environmental issues and oppose corrective reform.
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“We need to clear out the petition fraud and clean up this out of control amendment process. You have the opportunity to do that in Congress and fully protect the Florida constitution,” DeSantis said.
According to Desantis’ hopes, the new Republican-led building (HB 1205), inspired by petition fraud, is seeking to reform the civic initiative process. The change will require background checks, new signing procedures, fast deadlines, $1 million bonds, and petition cardiovascular housing requirements. They are Florida residents and must register with the Secretary of State.
“The bill seeks to eradicate the issue and provide assurance that only those who have funded the constitution can change it,” said Rep. Jenna Parsons Muricka.
State legislator Jenna Parsons Mulicka, who leads the effort, says the state’s current petition process is being breached. And despite concerns about the existing systems, she instead expressed strong confidence in the legislative process.
“We know that the process is broken, but you know what’s not broken.
A fellow Republicans say they support the bill. President Sam Greco (R-St. Augustine) adds that HB 1205 will move the movement to ensure the integrity of the petition process.
“We have a petition process so that we can hear Florida voices and we can’t see a voice that says that the voice we’re hearing is actually Florida voices and that in fact the voice of a legitimate, independent voter, then that process won’t work,” Rep. Greco said.
Even Florida Democrats support the effort.
“The more I read about this bill, the more I think it protects Florida, what it actually does,” said state Rep. Jose Alvarez (D-Kissimee). “We’re not pushing the sides to get everyone out there and express their views. The amendments are still on the ballot. This is all fair and we don’t want outsiders to keep coming to our state and dictating what Florida people want to do.”
However, even with bipartisan support, younger supporters are opposed to the proposed changes.
Samatha Kaddis, advocacy campaign associate at Cleo Institute, says that clean water petitions are currently circulating, and HB 1205 is threatening its progress.
“We’re scared. We’re a generation that inherits a world where sea levels have risen through the climate crisis and now we’re on the crisis through everything in between,” Cadiz said. “We’re here to create a stance, to make a difference.
The bill was handed over by the first committee with 14-4 votes.
