Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida Ditchmen - December 2019 | Page 16

5
BIG
LEGAL ISSUES TO
WATCH in 2020
Jim Saunders
TALLAHASSEE -- State and
federal courts are expected in
2020 to grapple with high-profile
Florida issues, ranging from felons’
voting rights to medical marijuana.
Here are snapshots of five key
legal issues to watch in the new
year:
CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENTS:
The Florida Supreme Court
will decide whether to sign
off on proposed constitutional
amendments that could go on
the November ballot. Justices
heard arguments in August on
a controversial measure that
would overhaul and deregulate
the state’s electric-utility industry
--- a measure that has drawn
opposition from state leaders,
business groups and incumbent
utilities. It also heard arguments
in early December on a proposal
that would allow registered voters
to cast ballots in primary elections
regardless of party affiliation, an
initiative opposed by the state
Republican and Democratic
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DITCHMEN • DECEMBER 2019
parties. Other initiatives pending
before the court focus on issues
such as legalizing recreational
marijuana and banning assault-
style weapons. The Supreme
Court considers whether the
wording of ballot initiatives meets
legal standards.
FELONS VOTING:
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration
and voting-rights and civil-rights
groups are battling in state and
federal courts about how to
carry out a 2018 constitutional
amendment aimed at restoring
voting rights to felons who have
completed their sentences.
The disputes at the Florida
Supreme Court and in federal
courts focus on a law passed
by the Republican-controlled
Legislature during the 2019
session that requires felons to pay
“legal financial obligations,” such
as restitution, fines and fees, to
be eligible to have voting rights
restored. Republican lawmakers
contend the law properly carries
out the amendment’s requirement
of felons completing terms of their