Florida Federal Budget Advisory Question (2010)

Florida Federal Budget Advisory Question
Election date November 2, 2010
Topic Federal government issues
Status Approved
Type Legislatively referred advisory question	Origin State legislature

Florida Federal Budget Advisory Question was on the ballot as a legislatively referred advisory question in Florida on November 2, 2010. It was approved.

A “yes” vote supported amending the federal Constitution to require that the federal budget be balanced without raising taxes.

A “no” vote opposed amending the federal Constitution to require that the federal budget be balanced without raising taxes.

Election results

Florida Federal Budget Advisory Question
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		3,524,629	71.90%
No		1,377,352	28.10%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Federal Budget Advisory Question was as follows:

“

BALANCING THE FEDERAL BUDGET A NONBINDING REFERENDUM CALLING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION In order to stop the uncontrolled growth of our national debt and prevent excessive borrowing by the Federal Government, which threatens our economy and national security, should the United States Constitution be amended to require a balanced federal budget without raising taxes? YES □ NO □

”

Full Text

The full text of this measure is available here.

Media editorials

Support

• The (Panama City) News Herald supported the advisory measure. The editorial board said, "This is a freebie. Send Congress a message without having to worry about the hairy details of implementing such a measure."

• Creative Loafing's Irreverent View was in support. The editorial board said, "While this question and what it addresses is of the utmost importance (balancing the federal budget), putting this glorified public opinion poll on the ballot to score political points is a perfect example of what is wrong with American politics: people like Jeff Atwater. That said let’s not send the wrong message. Irreverent View recommends a “Yes” vote on the question of balancing the federal budget. But check your ballot and make you voted against Jeff Atwater for CFO."

Opposition

• The St. Petersburg Times was opposed to the advisory question. In an editorial, the board said, "The nation must address its deficit spending, but that cannot be done responsibly without both reducing spending and increasing revenue. The Times recommends a 'no' vote."

• The Bradenton Herald opposed the proposed measure. The editorial board said, "This feel-good message is not grounded in reality, however, since enactment would restrict the government’s ability to wage war and defend the nation. Much of the growing national debt can be attributed to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The referendum offers no specifics on spending cuts. We recommend a no vote."

• The Pensacola News Journal was opposed to the advisory question. In an editorial, the board said, "This is a feel-good call for a non-binding referendum on an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to require a balanced federal budget without raising taxes. But a constitutional convention is the last thing we need in these contentious times. And this amendment makes no recommendations on what should be cut — the ultimate political freebie."

• The Herald-Tribune was opposed to the advisory question. The editorial board said, "...the text of the amendment doesn't indicate that the proponents are serious about taking the steps necessary to balance revenue with expenses while also paying the federal debt...The original question was more honest, asking whether Floridians favored a balanced federal budget. But the proponents of a referendum changed the language, opting to ask a loaded question to suit their politics. Achieving a balanced federal budget and paying the debt without raising taxes is wishful thinking. There's no point in sending a message suggesting otherwise. The Herald-Tribune recommends voting "No" on Referendum No. 1."

• The Naples Daily News was opposed to the proposed question. "A straw ballot carries no weight and we’re tempted to recommend skipping it, so as not to be a party to a partisan political machination. But instead, vote no in recognition that Congress is charged with writing the federal budget and fiscal restraint needs to start with its members," said the editorial board.

• The Orlando Sentinel was opposed. "Instead of making the question a political manifesto, why not just ask if the U.S. Constitution should be amended to require a balanced budget? We support the idea of a balanced budget but recommend a NO vote on principle, sending a message that legislators should try asking again, but without treating voters like intellectual infants," said the editorial board.

• The Ledger said, "This referendum will enact nothing. The question asked is a federal issue, not state. It is frivolous. The nonbinding referendum asks voters, should the U.S. Constitution require "a balanced federal budget without raising taxes?" Even the premise is ill-advised, ignoring times of crisis."

Path to the ballot

A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Florida State Legislature to place an advisory question on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 61 votes in the Florida House of Representatives and 21 votes in the Florida State Senate, assuming no vacancies. The governor must sign the legislation for the non-binding question.

See also

2010 Measures

• 2010 Measures
• Federal government issues on the ballot
• 2010 legislative sessions

Florida

• Florida ballot measures
• Florida ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• Florida Division of Elections, "Initiatives / Amendments / Revisions Database"