Unique Law Lets Florida Voters Make Changes to Constitution State Provision Mandates a Constitutional Review Every 20 Years. Key Issues in 1998: Gun Control, Equal Rights

Beginning of article

A unique exercise in streamlined government is under way in Florida, where a special commission has just recommended 33 changes to the state's constitution - with many of the suggestions expected to ignite a firestorm of debate.

Some of the issues are common-sense housecleaning measures, like a proposal to ensure that only gender-neutral language is used in the state constitution. Others - like gun control and government reorganization - are so controversial that state legislators have avoided addressing them for years.

But now in 1998, Florida voters will have the opportunity to decide these issues for themselves. A provision of Florida's constitution mandates …