State Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, has halted his effort to ask voters if they want to select the education commissioner and make the post once again part of the Florida Cabinet.
Instead, Negron said he wants to pursue a different constitutional amendment, this one to abolish the once-a-generation constitutional revision and the taxation and budget reform commissions.
As it stands right now, I do not intend to move forward, Negron said Monday. Im putting my energy into the revision commission.
Both proposals would require voters to approve a state constitutional amendment.
Negrons bill to require elections of the commissioner on education had been scheduled to go before the Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee on Monday.
The proposal to repeal the two commissioners is filed under SJR 108.
The two commissions -- which are comprised of sitting legislators -- meet once every 20 years to update the states tax system.
The revision commission is currently set to convene in 2017. The budget reform commission is on the calendar for 2027.
Negron would prefer any updates to the tax system go before voters for approval.
Negrons effort to have voters decide if the education commissioner should be elected, as it was until 2002, had high-profile opposition.
Currently the position is appointed by the governor.
Gov. Rick Scott told The Florida Current in December that the need for an election would make the post too political."
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
