>From The Miami Herald, Friday, November 5, 1993, without permission: Ruling asked on gay rights issue TALLAHASSEE - (AP) - Attorney General Bob Butterworth asked the Florida Supreme Court for an opinion Thursday on the validity of a proposed constitutional amendment that would bar passage of state or local laws protecting homosexual rights. Such opinions are required by the Constitution when sponsors of an initiative have obtained 10 percent of the signatures needed in a fourth of the state's 23 congressional districts to get a measure on the ballot by petition. The Tampa-based American Family Political Committee has met that criteria by collecting 43,986 signatures, Secretary of State Jim Smith informed Butterworth by letter Tuesday. At least 429,428 signatures are required for placement on the ballot next November.