The laws of our land are our laws, and we have the right to determine whether they need to stay on the books or remove them. Keeping a law on the books says a lot about us as a society, and if the law is in effect the executive branch of government is supposed to enforce it, no matter how arcane the law may seem to any person.

Florida is the last state in the nation still to have a constitution marked with one remnant of the Jim Crow era: a rule allowing legislators to ban Asian immigrants from owning land.

This November, voters have a chance to remove the so-called "alien land law" of 1926 from Florida's Constitution.

Sixty percent must vote "yes" on Nov. 4 for Florida's alien land law to be removed.

In my opinion if ever there was a need for state constitution editing, this is a prime example.

Originally Posted by SteveZ

The laws of our land are our laws, and we have the right to determine whether they need to stay on the books or remove them. Keeping a law on the books says a lot about us as a society, and if the law is in effect the executive branch of government is supposed to enforce it, no matter how arcane the law may seem to any person.

Florida is the last state in the nation still to have a constitution marked with one remnant of the Jim Crow era: a rule allowing legislators to ban Asian immigrants from owning land.

This November, voters have a chance to remove the so-called "alien land law" of 1926 from Florida's Constitution.

Sixty percent must vote "yes" on Nov. 4 for Florida's alien land law to be removed.

In my opinion if ever there was a need for state constitution editing, this is a prime example.

SteveZ, I'll read the law and if it is as you say it is, I agree! Wow! We can agree on something!

Steve;

Sounds like of course it needs to be changed...BUT of course they are too busy calling each other names, etc.

Term limits comes to mind.

Tony

What an ugly little thing to put in a State Constitution: Article 1, Section 2 -- a portion of the Florida Constitution spelling out basic, inalienable rights -- the phrase says "except that the ownership, inheritance, disposition and possession of real property by aliens ineligible for citizenship may be regulated or prohibited by law."

The history definitely backs Steve's comments that it was directed towards Asians. The sad thing is there are people opposed to removing it today because "it might stop a terrorist from owning land." Yeah, right.

Thanks, Steve!

[QUOTE=redwitch;160133]What an ugly little thing to put in a State Constitution: Article 1, Section 2 -- a portion of the Florida Constitution spelling out basic, inalienable rights -- the phrase says "except that the ownership, inheritance, disposition and possession of real property by aliens ineligible for citizenship may be regulated or prohibited by law." /QUOTE]

How archaic. (Sorry, can't find spell check!)

As a Canadian alien who owns a house in TV,