if the governor has not yet declared a state of emergency. The legislation also gave governing bodies the ability to designate another official with the power to declare a state of emergency. Civil rights In 1972, Mixson voted in favor of leaving the phrase "prohibit forced busing" in a voter referendum on desegregation busing. In 1972, he voted against a referendum on lowering the voting age from 21 years old to 18 years old. In 1973, he opposed the Equal Rights Amendment stating that the amendment would take more rights away from women than it would give them. The state House of Representatives voted 64 to 54, with Mixson against, against ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment. Mixson cosponsored legislation created by Charles Papy that would prohibit gender discrimination in employment, banking, and education. In 1975, the state House of Representatives voted 61 to 58, with Mixson voting against, in favor of ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment. Despite personally being against the Equal Rights Amendment he lobbied for its passage while serving as Governor Graham's chief lobbyist. Crime In 1967, the state House of Representatives voted 61 to 53, with Mixson against, against legislation that would require a majority of the members of a jury to support the use of capital punishment. Florida law at the time required a majority of the jury to vote to not use capital punishment. In 1971, he voted in favor of legislation that would institute a $5,000 fine for violations of pollution laws. In 1971, he voted in favor of legislation that would reduce the penalty for possession of marijuana from a felony to a misdemeanor. In 1977, the state House of Representatives voted 72 to 35, with Mixson voting in favor, in favor of legislation that would allow security guards at mental health facilities to use Mace on patients in emergency situations. In 1979, Mixson supported Graham's decision to sign the death warrant permitting the execution of John Spenkelink, the first execution carried out after capitol punishment was reinstated, and stated that he and Graham were "strong supporters" of the death penalty when they were members of the state House. Development During his tenure in the state legislature Mixson and state Senator Lawton Chiles introduced legislation creating sinkhole insurance. Mixson supported the use of nuclear power and stated that accidents at the Crystal River Nuclear Plant shouldn't deter the development of nuclear facilities. Employment