In 1968, Florida became the only state that allows its state constitution to be changed through a regularly scheduled commission called the Constitutional Revision Commission (CRC).
The CRC, which meets every 20 years, is a group of 37 commissioners who examine the relevance and applicability of Florida’s Constitution to current and future needs and make proposals that are to appear on the ballot November 2018.
Appointments to the commission are spread among Florida’s top officeholders: 15 for the governor; nine each for the Senate president and House speaker; three for the chief justice of the Supreme Court; and one for the attorney general.
Here are the commissioners:
GOV. RICK SCOTT APPOINTMENTS
Dr. Jose “Pepe” Armas Miami. Physician. MCCI Group, chairman and founder.
Lisa Carlton Sarasota. Co-owner, Mabry Carlton Ranch Inc.; Florida Senate, 1998-2008.
Timothy Cerio Tallahassee. Attorney. General counsel to Gov. Rick Scott, 2015-2016.
Emery Gainey Tallahassee. Attorney General’s Office, director of Law Enforcement.
Brecht Heuchan Tallahassee. Founder, CEO of ContributionLink; owner, The Labrador Co.
Marva Johnson Orlando. Regional vice president, State Government Affairs, Charter Communications; Florida State Board of Education, chair.
Darlene Jordan Palm Beach. Executive director, Gerald R. Jordan Foundation.
Fred Karlinsky Fort Lauderdale. Co-chair, Greenberg Traurig Insurance Regulatory & Transactions Practice Group.
Belinda Keiser Parkland. Vice chancellor, Community Relations, Keiser University.
Frank Kruppenbacher Orlando. Attorney.
Jimmy Patronis Panama City. Commissioner, Florida Public Service Commission; state representatives, 2006-2014.
Dr. Gary Lester The Villages. Vice President, The Villages for Community Relations.
Pam Stewart Tallahassee. Commissioner, Florida Department of Education.
Nicole Washington Miami-Dade. Policy consultant, Lumina Foundation.
ATTY. GEN. PAM BIONDI APPOINTMENTS
Pam Biondi Tampa. Florida attorney general. Tampa’s Domestic Violence Shelter.
CHIEF JUSTICE JORGE LABARGA APPOINTMENTS
Hank Coxe Jacksonville. Criminal defense attorney.
Arthenia Joyner Tampa.Outgoing Senate Democratic Leader.
Roberto Martinez. Coral Gables. Attorney.
HOUSE SPEAKER RICHARD CORCORAN APPOINTMENTS
Jose Felix Diaz Miami. Attorney, state representative.
Erika Donalds Collier County. Chief financial officer/Chief compliance officer, partner, at Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co., LLC.
Tom Lee Brandon. Vice president, director, Sabal Homes of Florida; state senator.
Rich Newsome Orlando. Senior partner, Newsome Melton law firm.
Chris Nocco Pasco County. Pasco County Sheriff.
Jeanette Nunez Miami. State representative.
Darryl Rouson St. Petersburg. Attorney. State senator.
Chris Sprowls Clearwater. Lawyer, state representative.
John Stemberger Orlando. Attorney; founder Institute for Conservative Studies.
SENATE PRESIDENT JOE NEGRON APPOINTMENTS
Don Gaetz Destin. Co-founder and vice chairman (retired) VITAS Healthcare Corp.; former Senate president.
Anna Marie Hernandez Gamez Coral Gables. Partner, Holland & Knight.
Patricia Levesque Tallahassee. CEO, Foundation for Excellence in Education; executive director, Foundation for Florida’s Future.
Sherry Plymale Fort Pierce. Trustee, Florida Atlantic University.
William Schifinio Jr. Tampa. Partner, Burr & Forman Law Firm.
Chris Smith Fort Lauderdale. State senator.
Bob Solari Vero Beach. President/Manager, RMS Financial Services.
Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch Sewall’s Point, Stuart. Blogger, Indian River Lagoon.
Carolyn Timmann Stuart. Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
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Hank Coxe’s first day on the CRC
Attorney Hank Coxe is the only Floridian from Jacksonville and within 100 miles of Jacksonville on the 37-member constitutional commission. He attended his first meeting Monday in Tallahassee.
First impressions?
“I thought the people selected weighted toward education. I don’t know if that means anything,” he said.
Coxe said the commission will need to resolve a few operating issues before it proceeds, such as: Sunshine. “How many members can meet without giving notice?” And: “Are records open or accessible to the public?”