The Florida Supreme Court dealt a blow Aug. 31 to state legislators seeking to challenge President Obama’s health care reform.
The court voted 5-2 to uphold a decision rendered by a lower court to remove a proposed amendment to the state’s constitution from Florida’s Nov. 2 ballot. Had the measure passed, Florida would have joined Oklahoma, Arizona and Colorado among states challenging the reform during the November elections. In Missouri 71 percent of those casting ballots Aug. 3 approved a ballot measure that would overturn the federal health care reform’s requirement that would force most Americans to purchase health insurance or face a tax penalty.
The higher court concurred with the circuit court’s ruling to remove the proposed amendment because the language was “misleading.”
“We agree with the circuit court‘s determination that the ballot summary for Amendment 9 does not meet the statutory or constitutional requirements for accuracy,” the justices wrote. “The first two statements that the circuit court found misleading are classic examples of a ballot summary flying under false colors as the amendment does not address waiting lists or the doctor-patient relationship at all.”
The court’s ruling angered many state legislators who said they feel like their voice isn’t being heard.
“It is a sad day when more than 60 percent of the elected representatives of the people of the State of Florida can’t get ballot measures approved by the Court but special interest groups can,” incoming Senate President Mike Haritopoulos said in a statement to Fox News.
“Amendment 9 was the Legislature’s attempt to ask the people of Florida if they wanted the federal government to control their health care or if taxpayers should have the freedom to be in control of their own health care,” he continued. “Once again, the court feels it would be better not to allow voters to make such a decision.”