South Floridians aired their concerns to Florida's Constitution Revision Commission, making passionate entreaties on topics as broad as education and the environment and as particular as greyhound racing and blasts from the White Rock Quarry near Miramar.

The Thursday night hearing at Florida International University in Miami was the commission's second stop on a yearlong journey around the state. The group's 37 members, selected by the governor, the leaders of the state Senate and House and the chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court, will draft proposed amendments to the constitution that will go directly to a statewide vote. The group convenes only once every 20 years.

“This is the most simple process for a citizen to make a difference and change the constitution of Florida,” said the commission's Miami-born chair, Carlos Beruff. “You can cut through all of the nonsense and speak to this group of people, these commissioners, who will listen to you.”