TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida voters could have the prospect to set time period limits, not only for state lawmakers, but in addition for county commissioners and faculty board members.
The proposed most? Eight years in workplace. However the effort to place this challenge on the 2026 poll comes with a fiery debate.
“We all know that Individuals need time period limits in any respect ranges of presidency. We all know Floridians need time period limits in any respect ranges of presidency,” mentioned State Consultant Michelle Salzman (R-Escambia County).
Time period limits are a subject wildly debated on the nationwide, state, and even native ranges. The talk backwards and forwards on the difficulty continues on the state capitol this 12 months with up to date laws now transferring by way of each chambers.
State Senator Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill) and Consultant Salzman teamed up on time period limits. Joint Resolution 679 and its Senate companion search to set an eight-year time period restrict for all county commissioners and faculty board members. Voters would get to determine on the 2026 poll whether or not or not they need them.
Consultant Salzman shared with 8 On Your Aspect that that is her second try at getting the invoice throughout the end line.
“Final 12 months, the invoice was simply placing it in statute, saying it is eight-year time period limits. However the largest argument we obtained, even from the members was, ‘Are you able to simply put this on the poll? Are you able to make this a constitutional modification so we will vote on it as Floridians?'” Salzman mentioned.
This time round, people in opposition to the transfer argue that this ought to be selected the county degree, not in a statewide vote.
“About 80% of the voters need time period limits, they usually need it set at eight years, and all we’re asking is to place it on the poll, allow them to reply the query,” mentioned Sen. Ingoglia.
Nevertheless, critics of the transfer argue that they need the choice to be made county-by-county.
“The place will we marketing campaign in our district? Who makes the choice to place us right here? The individuals in our district, not your complete state. Your entire state didn’t vote for me to sit down right here as a result of they do not know me from an Adam,” mentioned State Rep. Jose Alvarez (D-Kissimmee).
However even with these arguments, the invoice sponsor says regardless of the way you cube up the votes, native communities will nonetheless get their say on the difficulty.
“The identical those that vote for the governor can be voting for this. Are we going to now say that the governor would not actually characterize the agricultural communities as a result of a majority of the voters got here from Miami,” mentioned Rep. Salzman.
Salzman added that she goes to make some changes to the language, permitting people to come back again after they’ve taken a break. And says for commissioners who’re presently seated, they are going to get to serve one other eight years past implementation of the regulation if it makes it throughout the end line and on the governor’s desk.
