Ready to Fight "Amendment 4" in 2010

 

After three failed attempts to reach the ballot, the so-called “Hometown Democracy” proposal has purchased the required number of petition signatures and will appear on the 2010 ballot as Amendment 4.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce and our partners have joined together to fight this anti-job initiative through Floridians for Smarter Growth, a grassroots coalition of nearly 1000 dedicated volunteers and 135 opposition groups from environmental, business, labor, planning and community groups throughout the state.

Amendment 4 is a "Vote on Everything" initiative that would force Floridians to vote on every comprehensive land use plan change, resulting in hundreds of referenda on each ballot in some areas. This “Hometown Democracy” amendment will increase costs and add uncertainty to Florida’s burdensome land-use approval process and cripple future job creation.

"The 'Vote on Everything' amendment could mean a permanent recession for Florida's economy," said Mark Wilson, president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and treasurer of Floridians for Smarter Growth. "This amendment will hopelessly complicate the planning process and indefinitely stall our state's economic recovery."

The Florida Chamber will continue to work with Floridians for Smarter Growth to fight this job-killing amendment. This growing coalition includes 1000 Friends of Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida League of Cities, the Florida Council of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association.

A local version of Amendment 4 has already been tested in the small Pinellas County town of St. Pete Beach, which adopted a "Vote on Everything" measure in 2006. Since then, local residents have suffered through a virtual economic collapse and endless litigation at taxpayer expense. In St. Pete Beach, Amendment 4 supporters have even filed numerous lawsuits to overturn the very election their amendment required.

"The story of St. Pete Beach is proof positive that this idea costs jobs and wastes taxpayer money," said Ryan Houck, executive director of Floridians for Smarter Growth (FSG), the statewide campaign opposing Amendment 4. "Far from empowering voters, it has caused endless frustration at the ballot box and needless litigation at taxpayer expense."

Fortunately, the Florida Chamber and Floridians for Smarter Growth are prepared to debate the 'Vote on Everything' amendment in every community in Florida, and defeat it in 2010.

This post edited by ababington on 06-22-2009, 5:12 PM EST

Thumbs up for Amendment 4!  All of us in the grassroots across the State are ready to vote FOR Amendment 4.

The misnomer "Floridians for Smarter Growth"
FACT: 1.  The only Floridians (citizens) backing this are hiding behind BIG Corporate entities such as Building Associations, Real Estate Associations, Banking Associations and those with "Special Interests" in the Development Business of Growth. (anyone can research the contributors at www.doe.dos.state.fl.us//cgi-bin/TreFin.exe  The Florida Dept. of State Div. of Elections)

FACT 2:  The Term "Smarter" Growth is used as a misnomer to indirectly influence voters because  Floridians for Smarter Growth have NO plan for smarter growth.  It's ONLY function is to try and defeat Amendment 4 which over 700,000 citizens have helped put on the 2010 ballot.

FACT 3:  FSG is NOT a "grassroots" effort.  Webster defines "grassroots" as "society at the local level, esp. in rural areas, as opposed to centers of political leadership".  Checkout the lists of Political backers on the above Div. of elections page....Almost every City and County Commission is listed,  Political Associations and Big Development Corporations.

FACT 4:  The History of Florida's "Boom and Bust" Growth Cycle is an every 10-12 year cycle that has never sustained Florida's Economy on a long term bases and has always created a 'false economy' and 'false job market' for only a short term before the 'build it and they will come' theory fails again.  The same people who generate this myth, are the same ones backing Floridians for Smarter Growth.

FACT 5:  Amendment 4 came about from the ONLY true 'grassroots' efforts of thousands of citizens with $10 and $20 donations and a few that could give and donate more generously, such as the founders.  You can also find this information on the above division of elections contributor information.   The only 'special interest' here, is for a BETTER way to grow our State and preserve our resources in the process. 

FACT 6:  The FCC and FSG states they are ready to 'Debate' this issue in every communty"; but, a debate requires two opponents...NOT just one entitiy speaking untruths, twisting words and telling lies to make you believe what they want you to believe...so don't call it a debate unless you've invited the opposition.

If you are tired of the failed promises from politicians and tired of having your voice fall on deaf ears, then now is the time for citizens to make their voice heard with voting Yes for Amendment 4 on the 2010 ballot.