As lifelong conservatives, we believe in limited government, personal responsibility, and the rights of the people to shape our own governance. We founded Conservative Women for Freedom because we are a dedicated group of local Republican women committed to safeguarding the rights and futures of our children and grandchildren. We're speaking out against House Bill 1205, a dangerous assault on grassroots democracy that would all but eliminate the ability of everyday Floridians to bring citizen-led ballot initiatives to the people.
In a state that has long championed individual freedom, HB 1205 does the opposite. It stacks the deck against regular citizens and ensures that only the wealthiest and most powerful can even attempt to bring an initiative before the voters. This bill is not about election integrity. By requiring initiative sponsors to post a staggering $1 million bond before gathering signatures, the bill ensures that only the well-connected can afford to participate. Who among us can write a check that size?
The bill also creates unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles that make compliance nearly impossible and dramatically increases fines for simple mistakes, establishing financial punishments that could bankrupt a citizen-led effort. This red tape is unnecessary, costly, and serves no real purpose beyond discouraging participation. The bottom line is that these rules have nothing to do with preventing fraud.
As conservatives, we have long argued for limited government and the rights of the people to hold their elected officials accountable. And Republican primary voters agree—one recent poll showed 55 percent of GOP primary voters in Florida oppose any effort to make it even harder for a citizen-led amendment to make the ballot.
Our Republican leaders should ask themselves: Why are we suddenly afraid of the people having a voice? If an initiative is flawed, it can be debated and voted down at the ballot box, where 60% support is already needed to pass an initiative. That is the essence of democracy. Instead, HB 1205 rigs the system, making it nearly impossible for grassroots groups to succeed.
We urge Representative Robinson, as our local elected representative in Manatee County and Chair of the committee that the bill now sits in the House, to reject this bill or at least amend it in such a way as to ensure that Floridians are still able to participate in the democratic process. Conservatives should be standing up for the rights of Floridians—not making it impossible for them to exercise their constitutional rights. This is not about partisan politics; it’s about ensuring that our government remains accountable to the people, not just the powerful.
We close with the words of President Ronald Reagan, who reminded us: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”
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willwebshop
We can't have democracy getting in the way of our... democracy?
4 days ago Report this
N_Alice_Newlon
Will Robinson (R), Representative • District 71
850-717-5071, will.robinson@flhouse.gov
William "Bill" Conerly (R), Representative • District 72
850-717-5072, bill.conerly@flhouse.gov
Michael Owen (R), Representative • District 70 (west coast area, north of Bradenton)
850-717-5070, michael.owen@flhouse.gov
4 days ago Report this
johnschussler
Our right to Citizen Ballot Initiatives is being taken away by the FL state legislature. They have already made it very difficult. If they pass HB1205/SB1414 they are telling FL voters that only state legislators views matter and the only way to change state laws is through them. Please contact your state legislators and ask them to reject these bills.
4 days ago Report this
David Daniels
Last week Bill Conerly voted in favor of HB1205, passing it on from his position on the Government Operations Subcommittee. Conerly also voted in favor of House Bill 585, which makes it more difficult to sue mining companies, such as the Mosaic Co., for pollution or personal injury claims that result from radiation exposure on reclaimed phosphate mines. We need to end our long history of electing, and re-electing people that vote against our interests in Tallahassee. Boyd and Robinson have voted to protect the home insurance industry and they have voted to protect car dealers and the insane way we are forced to buy cars - the process that takes all day and we get screwed.
4 days ago Report this
rayfusco68
I am a registered independent voter and I couldn't agree with you more. Our government of the people, by the people and for the people is being assaulted by this bill.
3 days ago Report this
ruthlawler
Great, well stated opinion piece. As the process to get a constitutional amendment on the State ballot is already very challenging with the requirements currently in place, I agree wholeheartedly that increasing the ridiculous and expensive hoops this biil outlines as new requirements is the opposite of democracy. WHY suppress citizen initiatives? OH, follow the money of those who benefit, when reasonable citizen initiatives could hamper the systems currently in place. Contact your elected officials and voice your opinion. I'll add these contacts to the other daily elected officials I contact about protecting our democracy and defending the Constitution.
3 days ago Report this