Florida State Senators Carey Baker (R-Eustis) and Rep. Scott Plakon (R-Longwood) have introduceda proposed Constitutional Amendment that would let Florida opt out of any public option that might become part of health care reform passed in Washington. They are calling it the Florida Health Care Freedom Act. The bill is co-sponsored by 22 other House members.
Florida law states that a yes vote by three-fifths of the Legislature is needed to approve a proposed amendment. If the bill passed, it would go on the ballot in November 2010. In order for the amendment to become part of the Florida Constitution, 60% of voters would have to vote for it.
However, Federal law supersedes state law when the two conflict, so it’s not clear what, if any effect the amendment would have.
By all means, let's waste time and spend money working on legislation and a referendum that may not even matter. I mean it's not like Florida has any real problems like higher than the national average unemployments, lowever than the national average home prices, or more foreclosures than most states.
After living here for almost 14 years, I’ve learned that Floridians are different from other folks. We do things that make other states laugh at us (think hanging chads). But this takes the cake. I’m telling you, Crazy lives in Tallahassee.
If it weren’t for the fabulous beaches (which our Republican leaders are eagerly trying to ruin by allowing off-shore drilling) I wouldn’t live here. The day the first derrick goes up, is the day I leave.