ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida voters have rejected a proposal that would have banned government mandates for obtaining insurance such as required by President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.
The proposed state constitutional amendment required 60 percent approval but didn't even have a majority with most of the vote counted Tuesday. It was favored by 48 percent and opposed by 52 percent.
Amendment 1 wouldn't have made a difference even if it passed, as the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the federal law.
Republicans pushed the amendment through the GOP-controlled Legislature saying that approval still would have sent a strong political message against what they derisively call "Obamacare."
It also would have prevented a state law similar to one GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney signed as governor of Massachusetts.
Meanwhile, a proposed Florida constitutional amendment that would have capped state revenue has gone down to defeat.
At 42 percent, Amendment 3 was well short of required 60 percent approval with most votes counted Tuesday.
The measure would have limited revenue growth to match increases in population and cost of living.
It was proposed by the Republican-led Florida Legislature and patterned after Colorado's Taxpayer Bill of Rights, or TABOR. Colorado suspended and modified its cap following sharp spending cuts for schools and other public services.
A laundry list of opponents ranging from AARP to public employee unions argued Florida would have faced a similar fate.
Supporters, including business interests, contended the Florida version had safeguards such as the Legislature's ability to break the cap with a two-thirds vote in each chamber.
And, a wide-ranging property tax relief proposal has been rejected by Florida voters.
Amendment 4 failed after receiving only 43 percent of the vote with most ballots counted Tuesday. All state constitutional amendments need 60 percent approval.
Real estate interests promoted Amendment 4 as a boost to Florida's economy. Local officials opposed it, arguing the amendment would cut services and raise taxes for those who don't benefit from the measure.
It included a 5 percent annual assessment cap for businesses and second homes and an additional exemption for first-time primary home buyers.
The proposal also would have let the Legislature undo a quirk that increases homeowners' tax bill if their property value goes down. It's part of the existing Save Our Homes provision, which caps annual assessment increases at 3 percent.
Also, a, 6 Republican-sponsored proposal to give the GOP-dominated Legislature more control over Florida's court system has been defeated at the polls.
The vote Tuesday for Amendment 5 was only 44 percent in favor. All state constitutional amendments need at least 60 percent to pass.
Amendment 5 would have given the Senate authority to confirm or deny the appointment of Florida Supreme Court justices by the governor. It also would have made it easier for the Legislature to veto court rules.
The legal community was solidly against what critics called a power grab and threat to the judiciary's independence. GOP lawmakers contended it would make the courts more accountable.
In addition, a proposed Florida constitutional amendment that would have curtailed abortion rights has been defeated.
Amendment 6 garnered support from only 44 percent of voters on Tuesday with most ballots counted. All amendments require 60 percent voter approval.
The proposal was placed on the ballot by the Republican-majority Legislature. It would have prohibited taxpayer funding of abortions, which the state doesn't do anyway.
The measure also would have exclude abortion from privacy rights protected by the Florida Constitution, which are stronger than those in the U.S. Constitution.
It was seen by supporters and opponents alike as a step toward requiring minors to get parental consent for abortions.