Adams Ranch, wild turkey in the shade of oak trees, photo courtesy of the late Bud Adams, St Lucie County.
CRC Proposal #46, Land Acquisition Trust Fund, ~Clarifying Language in the Constitution for Citizen Initiative, Amendment 1, of 2014
I will present proposal #46 to the CRC Legislative Committee this Wednesday. You can support this proposal, or express your thoughts on the issue by writing the members of the Legislative Committee: https://www.flcrc.gov/Committees/LE/, or by attending the meeting and speaking briefly during public comment. The Chair is Jose Felix Diaz.
In summary, it is to clarify language so that funds do not include agency salaries, risk management costs, the purchase of vehicles, etc…and clearly states that “no less than one-third of doc-stamp revenue must be deposited into the Florida Forever Trust Fund.”
CRC - 2017P 46By Commissioner Thurlow-Lippisch
thurlowlj-00052-17 201746__
1 A proposal to amend
2 Section 28 of Article X of the State Constitution to
3 revise the manner of the distribution of funds that
4 are deposited into the Land Acquisition Trust Fund
5 from a portion of the net revenues derived from the
6 excise tax on documents.
7
8 Be It Proposed by the Constitution Revision Commission of
9 Florida:
10
11 Section 28 of Article X of the State Constitution is
12 amended to read:
13 ARTICLE X
14 MISCELLANEOUS
15 SECTION 28. Land Acquisition Trust Fund.—
16 (a) Effective on July 1 of the year following passage of
17 this amendment by the voters, and for a period of 20 years after
18 that effective date, the Land Acquisition Trust Fund shall
19 receive no less than 33 percent of net revenues derived from the
20 existing excise tax on documents, as defined in the statutes in
21 effect on January 1, 2012, as amended from time to time, or any
22 successor or replacement tax, after the Department of Revenue
23 first deducts a service charge to pay the costs of the
24 collection and enforcement of the excise tax on documents.
25 (b) Funds in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund shall be
26 expended only for the following purposes:
27 (1) No less than one-third of the revenue must be deposited
28 into the Florida Forever Trust Fund, as defined by the statutes
29 in effect on January 1, 2017.
30 (2) The remainder must be expended as provided by law, to
31 finance or refinance: the acquisition and improvement of land,
32 water areas, and related property interests, including
33 conservation easements, and natural resources for conservation
34 lands including wetlands, forests, and fish and wildlife
35 habitat; wildlife management areas; lands that protect water
36 resources and drinking water sources, including lands protecting
37 the water quality and quantity of rivers, lakes, streams,
38 springsheds, and lands providing recharge for groundwater and
39 aquifer systems; lands in the Everglades Agricultural Area and
40 the Everglades Protection Area, as defined in Article II,
41 Section 7(b); beaches and shores; outdoor recreation lands,
42 including recreational trails, parks, and urban open space;
43 rural landscapes; working farms and ranches; historic or
44 geologic sites; together with management, restoration of natural
45 systems, and the enhancement of public access or recreational
46 enjoyment of conservation lands.
47 (3)(2) To pay the debt service on bonds issued pursuant to
48 Article VII, Section 11(e) as may be required.
49 (c) The moneys deposited into the Land Acquisition Trust
50 Fund, as defined by the statutes in effect on January 1, 2012,
51 shall not be or become commingled with the general revenue fund
52 of the state.
Dear Fellow Commissioners, and Citizens of the Great State of Florida:
As many of you know, I firmly believe our quality of life as citizens and our state’s economic vitality greatly relies on the protection and preservation of our environment.
As we begin our important work of examining proposals in committee, I wanted to share additional information about the following five proposals I have sponsored to protect Florida’s natural treasures for future generations.
St Lucie River/Indian River Lagoon (Photo Jenny Flaugh)
1) Proposal 23: At the basis of my environmental protection argument, I believe above all Floridians should have a constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. Read more about this proposal at the following link: https://t.co/JZiYwr0kMf. I also recently authored an OpEd on this topic in TCPalm at the following link: http://bit.ly/2zSqrl9.
2) Proposal 24: I propose an elected “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” who will have supervision regarding matters pertaining to environmental protection that the Department of Environmental Protection and the Water Management Districts are authorized to implement and administer. Read more about this proposal at the following link: https://t.co/D5lEgRFxNe.
3) Proposal 46: This proposal would help clarify how funds are deposited into the Land Acquisition Trust Fund. Read more about this proposal at the following link: https://t.co/x37BxRu2sj.
Sightseeing Miami
4) Proposal 48: This proposal would give the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission authority to establish rules limiting impacts to habitat, and wildlife corridors, in the same way they currently establish limits on impacts to individual animals. Read more about this proposal at the following link: https://t.co/5Gh4BfPfIY.
A bird covered in oil after the Deep Water Horizon explosion, 2010. Photo courtesy of Associated Press.
5) Proposal 91: This proposal would prohibit oil and gas drilling in Florida territorial waters. Read more about this proposal at the following link: https://t.co/IkCCIdd4Wj.
The ongoing debate over the deterioration of our environment should not be about politics. Rather, it should be grounded in the welfare of our natural resources, our wildlife, and the citizens of our great state.
It is an honor to serve as a CRC commissioner. Please contact me if you would like more information or have questions and thank you.
Sincerely,
Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch
Commissioner, & Chair, General Provisions
Constitution Revision Commission 2017/18
The Process:
These proposals will be, or have been referred to a committee, or multiple committees. If they “get through committee,” and are supported later in early 2018 during the final public hearings, they will be voted on by the full CRC to go, or not to go, on the 2018 ballot. You can support or communicate concerns regarding these proposals by going to the CRC website above and writing the commissioners. If you are really determined you can go to the Committee tab and look at what each committee has before it and narrow it down when you write commissioners. You really have to check the website daily to follow. Anything you can do is appreciated; we are a better state when we all make an effort to be part of the process.
For the record, I would like to report what I have filed, so far, as a member of the Constitution Revision Commission 2017/18.
I have filed two “proposals.”
The first is a “public proposal” (a public submission/language exactly as proposed) entitled: “Floridians’ right to a clean and healthful environment.” This proposal elevates a clean and healthful environment to a right, such as now stated in the Florida constitution: “to enjoy and defend life and liberty, to pursue happiness, to be rewarded for industry, and to acquire, possess, and protect property…” It adds a “clean and healthful environment” symbolically to our highest legal level, our constitution. Right now, the proposal also proposes to give Floridians more standing in a court of law if they have experienced special injury (economic loss) due to environmental destruction of their property. I think the wording can be ameliorated, made more preventative, and less litigious, other states have achieved this and kept their goals in place. Nonetheless, the present language remains a good place to start the conversation.
My second proposal is a “commissioner proposal,” (a proposal with my wording/with help of staff) entitled “to Establish a cabinet position for a Commissioner of Environmental Protection.” Yes, I believe the environment should have a seat at Florida’s most important table. Presently, the Florida cabinet consist of the Attorney General, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Commissioner of Agriculture. These elected public servants make decisions at the top-level with the Governor and are elected, not appointed. They lead the state. I strongly feel that a statewide elected Commissioner of Environmental Protection should exist alongside these others and not be buried under the executive branch with no clear accountability as is presently the case. “Elected and answering to the people,” not to the politics of the state; this is my goal.
The process?
Well, the first proposal, “a right to a clean and healthy environment” has been voted on by the full CRC to move forward to committee. The second will move forward as commissioner proposals do automatically.
But that’s just the beginning!
Soon, Chair Beruff, will determine what committees these proposals will have to be “heard in.” There could be one, or many. If the proposal makes it through committee, it could come out exactly the same, be amended, or die. There is a way to resurrect such later on if it does get killed, but this requires a majority vote and is no easy feat. Nonetheless, it is a possibility. The best thing is to try to get it through committee so the full commission can vote on.
The political process will take its course, and the people will be heard.
It is an exciting time for me, and I plan on submitting other proposals too, but these two, my first, are my priorities.
Below are my two proposals and other information you may find helpful. If you have questions or concerns please write me at jacqui.lippisch@flcrc.gov. I am here to discuss.
CRC - 2017P 23By Commissioner Thurlow-Lippisch
thurlowlj-00038-17 201723__
1 A proposal to amend
2 Section 7 of Article II of the State Constitution to
3 establish that every person has a right to a clean and
4 healthful environment.
5
6 Be It Proposed by the Constitution Revision Commission of
7 Florida:
8
9 Section 7 of Article II of the State Constitution is
10 amended to read:
11 ARTICLE II
12 GENERAL PROVISIONS
13 SECTION 7. Natural resources and scenic beauty.—
14 (a) It shall be the policy of the state to conserve and
15 protect its natural resources and scenic beauty. Adequate
16 provision shall be made by law for the abatement of air and
17 water pollution and of excessive and unnecessary noise and for
18 the conservation and protection of natural resources.
19 (b) Those in the Everglades Agricultural Area who cause
20 water pollution within the Everglades Protection Area or the
21 Everglades Agricultural Area shall be primarily responsible for
22 paying the costs of the abatement of that pollution. For the
23 purposes of this subsection, the terms “Everglades Protection
24 Area” and “Everglades Agricultural Area” shall have the meanings
25 as defined in statutes in effect on January 1, 1996.
26 (c) The natural resources of the state are the legacy of
27 present and future generations. Every person has a right to a
28 clean and healthful environment, including clean air and water;
29 control of pollution; and the conservation and restoration of
30 the natural, scenic, historic, and aesthetic values of the
31 environment as provided by law. Any person may enforce this
32 right against any party, public or private, subject to
33 reasonable limitations, as provided by law.
CRC - 2017P 24By Commissioner Thurlow-Lippisch
thurlowlj-00025A-17 201724__
1 A proposal to amend
2 Sections 3 and 4 of Article IV and create a new
3 section in Article XII of the State Constitution to
4 establish the office of Commissioner of Environmental
5 Protection as a statewide elected officer, to provide
6 duties of the commissioner, and to include the
7 commissioner as a member of the Cabinet.
8
9 Be It Proposed by the Constitution Revision Commission of
10 Florida:
11
12 Sections 3 and 4 of Article IV of the State Constitution
13 are amended to read:
14 ARTICLE IV
15 EXECUTIVE
16 SECTION 3. Succession to office of governor; acting
17 governor.—
18 (a) Upon vacancy in the office of governor, the lieutenant
19 governor shall become governor. Further succession to the office
20 of governor shall be prescribed by law. A successor shall serve
21 for the remainder of the term.
22 (b) Upon impeachment of the governor and until completion
23 of trial thereof, or during the governor’s physical or mental
24 incapacity, the lieutenant governor shall act as governor.
25 Further succession as acting governor shall be prescribed by
26 law. Incapacity to serve as governor may be determined by the
27 supreme court upon due notice after docketing of a written
28 suggestion thereof by fourthree cabinet members, and in such
29 case restoration of capacity shall be similarly determined after
30 docketing of written suggestion thereof by the governor, the
31 legislature or fourthree cabinet members. Incapacity to serve
32 as governor may also be established by certificate filed with
33 the custodian of state records by the governor declaring
34 incapacity for physical reasons to serve as governor, and in
35 such case restoration of capacity shall be similarly
36 established.
37 SECTION 4. Cabinet.—
38 (a) There shall be a cabinet composed of an attorney
39 general, a chief financial officer, a commissioner of
40 environmental protection, and a commissioner of agriculture. In
41 addition to the powers and duties specified herein, they shall
42 exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be
43 prescribed by law. In the event of a tie vote of the governor
44 and cabinet, the side on which the governor voted shall be
45 deemed to prevail.
46 (b) The attorney general shall be the chief state legal
47 officer. There is created in the office of the attorney general
48 the position of statewide prosecutor. The statewide prosecutor
49 shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the state attorneys to
50 prosecute violations of criminal laws occurring or having
51 occurred, in two or more judicial circuits as part of a related
52 transaction, or when any such offense is affecting or has
53 affected two or more judicial circuits as provided by general
54 law. The statewide prosecutor shall be appointed by the attorney
55 general from not less than three persons nominated by the
56 judicial nominating commission for the supreme court, or as
57 otherwise provided by general law.
58 (c) The chief financial officer shall serve as the chief
59 fiscal officer of the state, and shall settle and approve
60 accounts against the state, and shall keep all state funds and
61 securities.
62 (d) The commissioner of environmental protection shall have
63 supervision of matters pertaining to environmental protection
64 that the Department of Environmental Protection or its successor
65 agency and water management districts are required or authorized
66 by law to implement and administer.
67 (e) The commissioner of agriculture shall have supervision
68 of matters pertaining to agriculture except as otherwise
69 provided by law.
70 (f)(e) The governor as chair, the chief financial officer,
71 and the attorney general shall constitute the state board of
72 administration, which shall succeed to all the power, control,
73 and authority of the state board of administration established
74 pursuant to Article IX, Section 16 of the Constitution of 1885,
75 and which shall continue as a body at least for the life of
76 Article XII, Section 9(c).
77 (g)(f) The governor as chair, the chief financial officer,
78 the attorney general, the commissioner of environmental
79 protection, and the commissioner of agriculture shall constitute
80 the trustees of the internal improvement trust fund and the land
81 acquisition trust fund as provided by law.
82 (h)(g) The governor as chair, the chief financial officer,
83 the attorney general, the commissioner of environmental
84 protection, and the commissioner of agriculture shall constitute
85 the agency head of the Department of Law Enforcement.
86
87 A new section is added to Article XII of the State
88 Constitution to read:
89 ARTICLE XII
90 SCHEDULE
91 Recomposition of the cabinet; commissioner of environmental
92 protection.—The amendment to Section 4 of Article IV relating to
93 the election of the commissioner of environmental protection and
94 the inclusion of the commissioner as a member of the cabinet
95 shall take effect January 3, 2023, but shall govern with respect
96 to the qualifying for and the holding of the primary and general
97 elections for the office of commissioner of environmental
98 protection in 2022.
Commissioner Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch’s CRC webpage:
Appointed by President
Committee Assignments
General Provisions, Chair
Executive
Proposals Introduced
P 0023 GENERAL PROVISIONS, Natural resources and scenic beauty
Last Action: 10/19/2017 Filed
P 0024 EXECUTIVE, Commissioner of Environmental Protection
Last Action: 10/19/2017 Filed
Biographical Information
Occupation: Former Middle and High School German and English Teacher; Presently, Licensed Realtor, Lifestyle Realty Group
City: Town of Sewall’s Point (Martin County)
Commissioner Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch was born in 1964 at Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield, California. She is a Daughter of the American Revolution, Florida Blue Key member, a lifetime resident of Martin County and member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.
Commissioner Thurlow-Lippisch’s mother is a third-generation Floridian and statewide recognized historian. In 1952, Commissioner Thurlow-Lippisch’s New York grandfather founded Thurlow & Thurlow, P.A. in Stuart, which specializes in real estate, and continues today as a family run business. She is married to William E. Lippisch, D.M.D./Oral Surgeon and general aviation pilot. They are well-known on the Treasure Coast for taking thousands of aerial photographs documenting the effect of destructive discharges from Lake Okeechobee on the health of the St. Lucie River/Indian River Lagoon. She shares these photos on her blog entitled “Indian River Lagoon,” which educates thousands of people. Jacqui is a former teacher with years of classroom experience instructing middle and high school students. She continues to work with youth through “River Kidz,” a division of the Rivers Coalition that has also helped promote and inspire efforts to find solutions to the damaging discharges from Lake Okeechobee.
Commissioner Thurlow-Lippisch is a former Mayor (2011-2012) and Commissioner (2008-2016) of the Town of Sewall’s Point and has served in other various public service and leadership capacities, including: Vice-Chair, Treasure Coast Region Planning Council (2016); Chair, Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments; Treasure Coast Florida League of Cities (2008-2016); Chair, Florida League of Cities’ Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Legislative Committee (2013); Board member, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation, Florida Atlantic University (2013-2016); and Rivers Coalition Defense Fund (2011-present).
Commissioner Thurlow-Lippisch holds a Bachelor of Arts, Journalism & Communications, University of Florida, 1986; Bachelor of Arts, German, University of Florida, 1994; and Master of Arts, Curriculum and Development, College of Education, University of West Florida, 1999. She also graduated from the UF/IFAS Natural Resources Leadership Institute, Class XV, 2016.
