Florida's Pregnant Pig Amendment

This was NOT on the ballot this election session - it's from 2002. But since I heard references to it recently, and since Cindi was good enough to ask what it was, I thought I'd reproduce it here.

See, we have a Citizen's Initiative process for amending the state constitution. The citizens are all for it...well, mostly. Actually, Floridians polled feel pretty strongly about keeping it.

However, it irritates the legislature and the governor to no end. It often addresses issues that a significant majority of Floridians would like to see addressed by the government, but which the government doesn't address, usually for political (read: lobbying and/or deniability) reasons.

Those who seek to limit citizen's initiatives in this and other states often bring this one up as an example of citizen silliness. The Pregnant Pig Amendment to the Florida Constitution passed by a simple majority of over 50% - but less than 60%. We elect our politicians by a simple majority, not 60%; so the *simple majority* supporters argue that's fair for amendments, too.

That's significant because one of the constitutional amendments this session - called Amendment #3 - was to limit the citizen's initiative by requiring 60% of the vote to pass, rather than a simple majority of over 50%.

To the surprise of many, it actually passed.

But it passed by less than 60%.

So the amendment requiring a 60% margin to pass an amendment would NOT have passed if it, itself, were already in force.

Ain't politics FUN?

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Florida Animal Cruelty Amendment: Limiting Cruel and Inhumane Confinement of Pigs During Pregnancy
Citation: Florida Amendment Article X Section 19
Summary:
This ballot proposal addresses the inhumane treatment of animals, specifically, pregnant pigs. To prevent cruelty to animals and as recommended by The Humane Society of the United States, no person shall confine a pig during pregnancy in a cage, crate or other enclosure, or tether a pregnant pig, on a farm so that the pig is prevented from turning around freely, except for veterinary purposes and during the prebirthing period; provides definitions, penalties, and an effective date. Note: this measure appears to have passed in the November 2002 election with 54% of the vote.

Statute in Full:

Sponsor:
Floridians for Humane Farms1859 S. Dixie Highway Pompano Beach,FL 33060-0000 (954) 946-1691
Contact: Pamela Huizenga, Chairperson

Signatures: Required for review by Attorney General: 48,869
Required to have initiative on the ballot: 488,722
* Number currently verified: 506,779

Reference: Article X, Section 19
Ballot Title: Animal Cruelty Amendment: Limiting Cruel and Inhumane Confinement of Pigs During Pregnancy

Ballot Summary:
Inhumane treatment of animals is a concern of Florida citizens; to prevent cruelty to animals and as recommended by The Humane Society of the United States, no person shall confine a pig during pregnancy in a cage, crate or other enclosure, or tether a pregnant pig, on a farm so that the pig is prevented from turning around freely, except for veterinary purposes and during the prebirthing period; provides definitions, penalties, and an effective date.