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The First Amendment states that: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." This means that the citizens of the United States have the right to free religion, speech, assembly, press, and to petition the government. Slander and Libel are important terms when it comes to the First Amendment. Slander and Libel are important terms when it comes to the First Amendment. Slander means that the person is making a false spoken statement to damage a person's reputation. Libel is the same thing but it is written. The term for both is "defamation", which means the damaging of someone's reputation whether it is slander or libel.
THE RIGHT TO WORSHIP FREELY:
The government cannot force it's citizens to follow one religion.

THE RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH AND FREE PRESS:
Citizens are allowed to say what they want and the press is allowed to print what they want as long as it is not slander or libel.

THE RIGHT TO ASSEMBLY AND PETITION:
Citizens are allowed the right to assembly and to petition the government.

WHY DO WE NEED THIS RIGHT?
We need this right because citizens should be allowed to speak for themselves and protect themselves from government control.

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The Second Amendment which states that: ” A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” This means that the citizens of the United States have the right to own and use guns, i.e. bearing arms.
WHY DO WE HAVE THIS RIGHT?
We have this right to protect the power of the citizens that participated in the militia. They were allowed to keep their muskets.

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Commitment 2018 is taking a closer look at the amendments on the ballot this year, and bringing voters a complete rundown to make sure they understand what they each mean before heading to the polls.Amendment 2 is a close companion to Amendment 1.Amendments 1 and 2 both deal with property taxes. Both initiatives were put on the ballot by lawmakers.Amendment 2 is what we call a "continuation" of a law that's been on the books for a decade, and members of the House and Senate want to make it permanent, by placing it in the state's constitution.Unlike Amendment 1, which gives homeowners with a homestead exemption another property tax cut, Amendment 2 addresses all other property that is not covered by a homestead exemption.Basically, if you own real estate, you're going to want to take a close look at both of these proposed amendments.Now, the details on Amendment 2: If passed, it would "Permanently retain provisions currently in effect, which limit property tax assessment increases on non-homestead real property ... except for school district taxes ... to 10 percent each year."That means if you own commercial property, rental property, second homes, or if you own a vacant lot and pay property taxes, passing this measure will mean the "assessed value" of that property will never go up more than 10 percent in any given year.As with all of the amendments on the ballot, at least 60 percent of voters must approve it to put it in the constitution. Thus far, there is no organized opposition to Amendment 2.

Commitment 2018 is taking a closer look at the amendments on the ballot this year, and bringing voters a complete rundown to make sure they understand what they each mean before heading to the polls.

Amendment 2 is a close companion to Amendment 1.Amendments 1 and 2 both deal with property taxes. Both initiatives were put on the ballot by lawmakers.

Amendment 2 is what we call a "continuation" of a law that's been on the books for a decade, and members of the House and Senate want to make it permanent, by placing it in the state's constitution.

Unlike Amendment 1, which gives homeowners with a homestead exemption another property tax cut, Amendment 2 addresses all other property that is not covered by a homestead exemption.

Basically, if you own real estate, you're going to want to take a close look at both of these proposed amendments.

Now, the details on Amendment 2: If passed, it would "Permanently retain provisions currently in effect, which limit property tax assessment increases on non-homestead real property ... except for school district taxes ... to 10 percent each year."

That means if you own commercial property, rental property, second homes, or if you own a vacant lot and pay property taxes, passing this measure will mean the "assessed value" of that property will never go up more than 10 percent in any given year.

As with all of the amendments on the ballot, at least 60 percent of voters must approve it to put it in the constitution. Thus far, there is no organized opposition to Amendment 2.

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Commitment 2018 is taking a closer look at the amendments on the ballot this year, and bringing voters a complete rundown to make sure they understand what they each mean before heading to the polls.Amendment 2 is a close companion to Amendment 1.Amendments 1 and 2 both deal with property taxes.

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amendment three Quartering Troops in Homes

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amendment three Quartering Troops in Homes

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The Third Amendment prohibits soldiers from temporarily residing in private homes during peace time without getting the permission and consent of the owner. This means that soldiers cannot stay in citizens homes's without permission and consent of the owner.
WHY DO WE HAVE THIS RIGHT?
We have this right to protect citizen's privacy, so military members cannot enter houses without consent.

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WEBVTT LOOKS AND SOUNDS? GREG: IT IS NOT. THE REVENUE THAT MAY BE GAINED OR LOST FROM TAXES ON CURRENT AND FUTURE GAMBLING ARE UNKNOWN. THE EFFECT ON ANY FUTURE AGREEMENTS WITH THE SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA ARE UNKNOWN BUT YOU WON'T GET ANY OF THAT FROM THE COMMERCIALS YOU'RE NOW WATCHING. >> EVEN GAMBLING STATES LIKE NEW JERSEY PUT VOTERS IN CHARGE. GREG: YOU'RE SEEING LOTS OF TV ADS, CLAIMING AMENDMENT 3 IS A NO-BRAINER. JUST LET VOTERS DECIDE IN THE FUTURE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO EXPAND CASINO GAMBLING. JOHN: WE THINK THAT THESE DECISIONS ARE BEST MADE BY FLORIDA VOTERS. GREG: JOHN SOWINSKI IS PRESIDENT OF VOTERS IN CHARGE, THE GROUP BEHIND THE ADS AND THE AMENDMENT. HE SAYS IT'S A COMMONSENSE BARRIER TO KEEP LAWMAKERS FROM BEING PRESSURED INTO CASINO EXPANSION. JOHN: IN FACT, OVER THE LAST FIVE ELECTIONS CYCLES, THE CASINO GAMBLING INDUSTRY HAS P OVER $50 MILLION INTO CAMPAIGNS OF STATE OFFICE HOLDERS HERE THEY'RE TRYING TO BUY CASINO LICENSES IN TALLAHASSEE. GREG: WHILE THAT MAY BE TRUE, GAMBLING OPPONENTS ARE SPENDING THE MOST TO PASS THIS MEASURE. VOTERS IN CHARGE HAS RAISED $37.5 MILLIO THE TOP DONORS ARE GAMBLING OPPONENT WALT DISNEY WORLD SPENDING NEARLY $20 MILLION, AND THE SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA AT NEARLY $17 MILLION, TRYING TO HOLD THE NEAR-MONOPOLY ON CASINO NO CASINOS IS A GROUP ALSO RUN BY SOWINSKY. OPPONENTS OF THE MEASURE T PARI-MUTUEL INDUSTRY HAVE A WEBSITE CALLED CHOOSE ME, NOT 3. THEY CLAIM $250 MILLION IN CURRENT SCHOOL FUNDING WOULD BE LOST OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS, AND $200 MILLION IN FUTURE DOLLA WILL BE LOST, CLAIMING SLOT MACHINES THAT GENERATE T REVENUE FOR SCHOOLS NOW WILL BE TAKEN AWAY, AND FUTURE CASINO PERMITS COULD BE REJECTED. SOWINSKI DISPUTES THAT. JOHN: IT DOESN'T CLOSE DOWN EXISTING FACILITIES. WHAT THIS DOES IS HOLD THE LINE ON GAMBLING UNLESS VOTERS SAY OTHERWISE. GREG: MAYBE. BUT THE DIVISION OF ELECTIONS WEBSITE HAS A FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT THAT SAYS THE EFFECT ON TAX REVENUES CANNOT BE DETERMINED AT THIS TIME, AND FURTHER UNCERTAINTIES EXIST REGARDING THE EXTENT TO WHICH CURRENTLY AUTHORIZED CASIN GAMBLING ACTIVITIES MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMEN WE DO KNOW THIS. A NEW FLORIDA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE POLL SHOWS A MAJORITY OF VOTERS, 54%, PLAN TO VOTE YES ON THE AMENDMENT 28% SAY NO, 18% ARE UNDECIDE FROM DISNEY TODAY, QUOTE, WE OPPOSE THE EXPANSION OF CASINO GAMBLING IN FLORIDA BECAUSE IT RISKS OUR STATE'S REPUTATION AS A FAMILY-FRIENDLY DESTINATION. REMEMBER, AT LEAST 60% OF VOTERS MUST APPROVE A PROPOSE AMENDMENT TO PLACE IT IN THE CONSTITUTION. AS FOR THE POTENTIAL EFFECT ON SCHOOL FUNDING, THE STATE'S LARGEST TEACHER'S UNION IS NEITHER SUPPORTING NOR OPPOSING AMENDMENT 3. OPPONENTS OF THE AMENDMENT DID NOT RETURN MY

Commitment 2018 is taking a closer look at the amendments on the ballot this year, and bringing voters a complete rundown to make sure they understand what they each mean before heading to the polls.Is it a sure bet? Or a chance roll of the dice?That's what voters are wondering about Amendment 3, which is on the November ballot.WESH 2 News political reporter Greg Fox breaks it down.The revenue that may be gained or lost from taxes on current and future gambling are unknown.The effect on any future agreements with the Seminole Tribe of Florida are unknown.But viewers will not get that message from the commercials they are seeing on television.Many T.V. ads claim that Amendment 3 is a "no-brainer.""We think that these decisions are best made by Florida voters," said John Sowinski, president of Voters In Charge, the group behind the ads and the Amendment.Sowinski said it's a common sense barrier to keep lawmakers from being pressured into casino expansion. "In fact, over the last five elections cycles, the casino gambling industry has put over $50 million into campaigns of state office holders here. They're trying to buy casino licenses in Tallahassee," Sowinski said.While that may be true, gambling opponents are spending the most money to pass this measure.Voters In Charge has raised $37.5 million.The top donors are gambling opponent Walt Disney World, spending nearly $20 million, and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, at nearly $17 million, trying to hold the near-monopoly on casinos. "No Casinos" is a group also run by Sowinsky.Opponents of the measure, the pari-mutuel industry, have a website called "Choose Me, NOT 3." They claim $250 million in current school funding would be lost over the next 10 years and $200 million in future dollars will be lost, claiming slot machines that generate tax revenue for schools now will be taken away and future casino permits could be rejected.Sowinski disputes that."It doesn't close down existing facilities. What this does is hold the line on gambling unless voters say otherwise," Sowinski said.Maybe. But the Division of Elections website has a "financial impact statement" that says the effect on tax revenues "cannot be determined at this time" and "further uncertainties exist regarding the extent to which currently authorized casino gambling activities my be affected by the amendment."A new Florida Chamber of Commerce poll shows a majority of voters, 54%, plan to vote "yes" on the amendment. 28% say "no" and 18% are undecided."We oppose the expansion of casino gambling in Florida because it risks our state's reputation as a family-friendly destination," Disney said in a recent statement.Remember, at least 60% of voters must approve a proposed amendment, to place it in the Constitution.As for the potential effect on school funding, the state's largest teacher's union is neither supporting, nor opposing Amendment 3.Amvets, a state Veterans organization that advocates for charitable gaming by Veteran and fraternal organizations, is telling its members Amendment 3 could adversely affect their ability to legally conduct instant bingo and raffles.

Commitment 2018 is taking a closer look at the amendments on the ballot this year, and bringing voters a complete rundown to make sure they understand what they each mean before heading to the polls.

Is it a sure bet? Or a chance roll of the dice?

That's what voters are wondering about Amendment 3, which is on the November ballot.

WESH 2 News political reporter Greg Fox breaks it down.

The revenue that may be gained or lost from taxes on current and future gambling are unknown.

The effect on any future agreements with the Seminole Tribe of Florida are unknown.

But viewers will not get that message from the commercials they are seeing on television.

Many T.V. ads claim that Amendment 3 is a "no-brainer."

"We think that these decisions are best made by Florida voters," said John Sowinski, president of Voters In Charge, the group behind the ads and the Amendment.

Sowinski said it's a common sense barrier to keep lawmakers from being pressured into casino expansion.

"In fact, over the last five elections cycles, the casino gambling industry has put over $50 million into campaigns of state office holders here. They're trying to buy casino licenses in Tallahassee," Sowinski said.

While that may be true, gambling opponents are spending the most money to pass this measure.

Voters In Charge has raised $37.5 million.

The top donors are gambling opponent Walt Disney World, spending nearly $20 million, and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, at nearly $17 million, trying to hold the near-monopoly on casinos. "No Casinos" is a group also run by Sowinsky.

Opponents of the measure, the pari-mutuel industry, have a website called "Choose Me, NOT 3." They claim $250 million in current school funding would be lost over the next 10 years and $200 million in future dollars will be lost, claiming slot machines that generate tax revenue for schools now will be taken away and future casino permits could be rejected.

Sowinski disputes that.

"It doesn't close down existing facilities. What this does is hold the line on gambling unless voters say otherwise," Sowinski said.

Maybe. But the Division of Elections website has a "financial impact statement" that says the effect on tax revenues "cannot be determined at this time" and "further uncertainties exist regarding the extent to which currently authorized casino gambling activities my be affected by the amendment."

A new Florida Chamber of Commerce poll shows a majority of voters, 54%, plan to vote "yes" on the amendment. 28% say "no" and 18% are undecided.

"We oppose the expansion of casino gambling in Florida because it risks our state's reputation as a family-friendly destination," Disney said in a recent statement.

Remember, at least 60% of voters must approve a proposed amendment, to place it in the Constitution.

As for the potential effect on school funding, the state's largest teacher's union is neither supporting, nor opposing Amendment 3.

Amvets, a state Veterans organization that advocates for charitable gaming by Veteran and fraternal organizations, is telling its members Amendment 3 could adversely affect their ability to legally conduct instant bingo and raffles.

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Hide Transcript Show Transcript WEBVTT LOOKS AND SOUNDS? GREG: IT IS NOT. THE REVENUE THAT MAY BE GAINED OR LOST FROM TAXES ON CURRENT AND FUTURE GAMBLING ARE UNKNOWN. THE EFFECT ON ANY FUTURE AGREEMENTS WITH THE SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA ARE UNKNOWN BUT YOU WON'T GET ANY OF THAT FROM THE COMMERCIALS YOU'RE NOW WATCHING.

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amendment four                                             Searches and Seizures        

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amendment four                                             Searches and Seizures        

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The Fourth Amendment protects people's houses from being searched or having their things taken away from them without any good reason. This means the police must have warrants from judges to search someones house or take evidence.
WHY DO WE HAVE THIS RIGHT?
We have this right to protect people's privacy. People's houses cannot be searched without a warrant.

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amendment five   Legal Rights and Protections

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amendment five   Legal Rights and Protections

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The Fifth Amendment imposes restrictions on the government's prosecution of persons accused of crimes. It prohibits self-incrimination and double jeopardy and mandates due process of law. This means that persecuted persons are able to resist testifying against themselves and the can say no to being a witness against their case.
WHY DO WE HAVE THIS RIGHT?
We have this right to protect citizens from being held for crimes unless they have been indicated properly by the police.

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The Seventh Amendment guarantees a jury trial for civil cases in the federal courts. This means that every person on a civil trial in a federal court is guaranteed and able to obtain a jury of his/her peers.

WHY DO WE HAVE THIS RIGHT?
We have this right to allow citizens the be fairly represented and allowed to have a jury or not.

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Amendment VIIIn suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

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The Sixth Amendment guarantees a citizen a speedy trial, a fair jury, an attorney if the accused person wants one, and the chance to confront the witnesses who is accusing the defendant of a crime, meaning he or she can see who is making accusations.

WHY DO WE HAVE THIS RIGHT?
We have this right to protect citizens from not having a fair trial, for example not being offered an attorney.

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A Guide to the Sixth Amendment
The Sixth Amendment, or Amendment VI of the United States Constitution is the section of the Bill of Rights that guarantees a citizen a speedy trial, a fair jury, an attorney if the accused person wants one, and the chance to confront the witnesses who is accusing the defendant of a crime, meaning he or she can see who is making accusations. The Sixth Amendment was introduced as a part of the Bill of Rights into the United States Constitution on September 5, 1789 and was voted for by 9 out of 12 states on December 15, 1791.
Understanding the Sixth Amendment Line by Line
If you are confused by what each line means, here are some good explanations to make the Sixth Amendment easier to understand:

"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial": The person who is accused of a crime has the right to get a quick trial. This line does not mean that the person's trial will be over in one week. Rather, this line means that the country or state cannot make the person sit in jail for a very long time, for example 5 years, while they for their trial. This would be very unfair to anyone who is not guilty. The person who is accused also has the right to receive a public trial. The state cannot lock the person away and ask questions about the crime. This process must be seen by the public so that it more fair to the accused person.

"By an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law": The trial has to have an impartial jury. This means that the jurors cannot be prejudiced or biased against the accused individual or the specific crime that the individual has been accused of, or it would be unfair to the accused. The trial also must be held in an area where the crime took place, or else it may also be unfair to the accused.

"And to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him": The accused person has the right to find out what he or she is being charged with exactly and why he or she is being held in jail. The accused person also has the right to learn who is claiming that he or she committed the crime, along with the right to ask questions.

"To have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense": The accused person has the right to make anyone attend their trial if they believe that person can help with the case. The court can also force a person to come to a court by using a summons, which means the person will not have choice, and will have to go to the trial. The accused person also has the right to hire an attorney. If he or she cannot afford an attorney, the court can provide one
Facts about the Sixth Amendment
*The Sixth Amendment was put into the Bill of Rights by James Madison

*The rights in the Sixth Amendment apply to all the states.

*While an accused person can represent himself in a trial, the court can stop this if the accused is not mentally stable.

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A Guide to the Sixth Amendment The Sixth Amendment, or Amendment VI of the United States Constitution is the section of the Bill of Rights that guarantees a citizen a speedy trial, a fair jury, an attorney if the accused person wants one, and the chance to confront the witnesses who is accusing the defendant of a crime, meaning he or she can see who is making accusations.

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amendment eight       Bail and Punishments

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amendment eight       Bail and Punishments

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The Eighth Amendment is the section of the Bill of Rights that states that punishments must be fair, just, not cruel, and that fines that are extremely large cannot be enforced.

WHY DO WE HAVE THIS RIGHT?
We have this right to protect citizens from having cruel and unusual punishments brought upon them.

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amendment nine       Rights Retained by the People

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amendment nine       Rights Retained by the People

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The Ninth Amendment is the section of the Bill of Rights that says that there are other rights that may be present besides from the ones mentioned in the amendment, and even though they are not listed, it does not mean they can be violated.

WHY DO WE HAVE THIS RIGHT?
We have this right to protect people from just having the rights of only the other amendments.

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amendment ten       Powers Reserved to the States

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amendment ten       Powers Reserved to the States

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The Tenth Amendment is the section of the Bill of Rights that says that any power that is not given to the federal government is given to the people or the states.

WHY DO WE HAVE THIS RIGHT?
We have this right to protect the states and the citizens from being extremely weak compared to the federal government.