The American Press is recommending a “yes” vote on Constitutional Amendment No. 8 and a “no” vote for Amendment 12 on the Nov. 4 election ballot.

Amendment 8 would establish the Artificial Reef Development Fund in the constitution. It would prohibit using its money for purposes other than those described in the amendment, which has been done to help balance the budget.

Money for the fund is for operation of the program. The proposed amendment would add the Artificial Reef Development Fund to the list of funds protected in the constitution and keep them from being “swept” of cash when the state is looking for extra money.

The American Press believes it is important that money raised for a project stay with the project and not be hijacked for other uses. This is a way to keep the government in check when it comes to watching the budget.

We believe the money in the Artificial Reef Development Fund should be used only for its intended purposes, which is promoting and managing artificial reef development, assisting the state’s wild seafood certification program and helping with inshore fisheries.

The Public Affairs Research Council in its guide to the amendments said arguments for this one are its ability to ensure the fund’s long-term viability and it can help persuade oil and gas companies to consider converting more non-producing platforms into artificial reefs. It is important that the state work with such businesses to help make sure the fund can grow in the future.

The American Press opposes Amendment 12.

It would change the membership of the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to require that two at-large members come from parishes north of a line created by Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Evangeline and Pointe Coupe.

Currently the commission is made up of seven members appointed by the governor. Six serve overlapping six-year terms and the seventh serves concurrently with the governor.

Of the seven, three must come from the coastal parishes and be representatives of the commercial fishing and fur industries. The remaining four are to be appointed from the state at large, excluding representatives from the commercial fishing and fur industries.

The American Press sees no need to change the way the commission is picked. We believe the current way of picking members is fair and changing the way members are selected would only be cause for more government change with no benefits.

While three of the four at-large members are currently from southern Louisiana there is no reason this has to be the case. The governor can choose to change the location of members as he sees fit.

To force a change could mean that the best people for the job will be left off just because of where they live. It is important that we get the best people we can to be on the commission and not just limit the choices based on location.

This is another one of those amendments that doesn’t belong in the constitution.(MGNonline)

David Mercer