Opinion
No. 88-449.
March 3, 1988.
Appeal from the Circuit Court for Dade County, John A. Tanksley, J.
Robert A. Ginsburg, County Atty., for appellant.
Dexter Lehtinen, Mitchell Katz, Miami, for appellee.
Before SCHWARTZ, C.J., and HENDRY and NESBITT, JJ.
We agree with the trial court that the proposed ballot question in issue here is both affirmatively misleading in critical respects, see Askew v. Firestone, 421 So.2d 151 (Fla. 1982), and, even more clearly, does not satisfy the requirement of section 101.161(1), Florida Statutes (1987), that the "substance of . . . [the] measure . . . be printed in clear and unambiguous language," nor that of Article 7, Section 7.01(4)(b) of the Metropolitan Dade County Home Rule Charter that a proposition be submitted "in such manner as provides a clear understanding of the proposal."
The question provides:
HOME RULE CHARTER REVISIONS
SHALL THE DADE COUNTY CHARTER BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE FOR, AMONG OTHER THINGS, REVISIONS TO: THE CITIZENS' BILL OF RIGHTS; THE COUNTY COMMISSION'S POWERS, PROCEDURES AND ELECTIONS; THE ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY'S ADMINISTRATION; THE TRANSFER OF MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES; THE PROCEDURES FOR CREATION AND ABOLITION OF MUNICIPALITIES; THE PROCEDURES FOR INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND RECALL; THE PROCEDURES FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE CHARTER; AND VARIOUS TECHNICAL AND PROCEDURAL MATTERS?
YES ____ NO ____
For example, the question refers to revisions of "the procedures for initiative, referendum
and recall" [e.s.], while the actual proposal involves extensive substantive changes in the grounds and availability of the recall process.
We find no merit in the county's argument that the action is barred by laches.
Rehearing is dispensed with.