Page 7 - FSB 10-3-17

State News
Former Senate Democratic Leaders Continue Push For Restoration Of Rights
TALLAHASSEE – Con- tinuing efforts launched dur- ing their legislative careers to end Florida’s punitive disen- franchisement of more than 1.6 million citizens, former Senate Democratic Leaders Chris Smith and Arthenia Joyner have filed a state constitutional amendment for automatic restoration of ex-felons’ voting rights.
“As we’ve seen in numer- ous hearings throughout the state, Floridians strongly sup- port allowing fellow citizens who have completed their sentences, paid every fine, and done everything required of them, to rejoin society and regain their right to vote,” said Smith, who, along with Joyner, was appointed to the 2017-2018 Constitution Revision Commission (CRC).
The CRC is a 37-member organization established every 20 years, tasked with reviewing the state constitu- tion and recommending any needed changes. Members are appointed by the Gover- nor, Attorney General, the Supreme Court Chief Justice, Senate President and House Speaker.
“The five-to-seven year clemency process established in 2011 is not only an arbi-
ARTHENIA JOYNER
trary process, but a biased one. It disproportionately im- pacts lower and middle in- come Floridians - many of them sentenced for non-vio- lent crimes - and continues to segregate them from fully participating in the democ- racy we celebrate. This needs to end,” Joyner said.
Under the proposal, any disqualification from voting stemming from a felony con- viction would end and voting rights would be restored upon completion of all terms of a sentence, including pa- role and probation.
However, anyone con- victed of murder or a felony sexual offense would be pro- hibited from automatic voter qualification unless civil rights had been restored.
The amendment, which will now undergo vetting by the CRC committee process, must garner 22 votes by the full CRC membership in order to appear on the No- vember 2018 ballot. It mir- rors a similar ballot initiative recently approved by the Florida Supreme Court which was begun by voters’ rights groups.
That proposal, however, requires the gathering of more than 700,000 signa- tures in order to appear on the 2018 ballot.
If the amendment is suc- cessful, and 60% of Florida voters’ sign off on the Smith- Joyner amendment, the measure would become part of the state constitution.
CHRISTOPHER SMITH
2018 State Fair Needs Black History Exhibits
The Florida State Fair Au- thority will partner with the Hillsborough County School District’s Office of Diversity and community partners Feb- ruary 8-19, 2018 to display Black History exhibits cele- brating the theme, “African Americans in Film, Influ- encers of Stage and Screen.”
This will mark the third year for this “Tribute to Black History” that invites commu- nity groups to join local schools in a celebration of Black History Month. Exhibit space is free, but the number of booths is limited and they will be allocated on a first- come-first-serve basis.
Churches, sororities, fra- ternities, clubs, local artists and other individuals or or- ganizations interested in re- serving display booths must contact Florida State Fair Black History Committee Chairman Fred Hearns at fhearns@netzero.net. The deadline for submitting this request is Tuesday, October 17, 2017.
Booth proposals may focus on a person, place or event that has impacted our local community, state or na- tion. Examples include an African American male or fe- male past or present in film (television, movies, docu- mentaries), or theater who
has left an imprint on the lives of others in acting, di- recting or producing.
Each booth frame will be assembled for participants and will stand eight feet tall with three connecting walls. The display photos, lettering and artifacts must be assem- bled just prior to February 8 and taken down February 20. Participating entries will re- ceive recognition from the school district.
For more information contact Susan Shattles of the Hillsborough County Public Schools Office of Di- versity at (813) 273-7125 or Chief Diversity Officer Min- erva Spanner-Morrow at the same number.
MINERVA SPANNER-MORROW
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 7