"Remarkably diverse" coalition of more than 280 labor, business and civic organizations set to battle Amendment 4
(Orlando, FL - July 22, 2010) The Florida AFL-CIO today announced its opposition to Amendment 4, becoming a part of the unprecedented coalition of more than 280 leading business, civic and labor groups that are working to defeat the measure in November. The Florida AFL-CIO decision reflects an emerging consensus among diverse organizations across the political spectrum that Amendment 4 is will hurt working families. A proposal to alter Florida's constitution, Amendment 4 would require taxpayer-funded referenda for any change to a local government comprehensive plan, burdening small businesses, local governments and non-profits with additional costs, delays and uncertainty.
Frank Ortis, President of the Florida State Council of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and a board member with the Florida AFL-CIO, emphasized the economic consequences of Amendment 4.
"Defeating Amendment 4 means protecting jobs," said Ortis. "As Floridians attempt to recover from the worst recession in a generation, Amendment 4 threatens to drive the jobless rate higher, prolong the recession, and hurt our state's working families." Ortis also serves on the board of the "VOTE NO on 4" Campaign.
Clarence Anthony, Chairman of the "VOTE NO on 4" Campaign and former Florida League of Cities President, applauded the leadership of the Florida AFL-CIO.
"Labor unions and business organizations don't often see eye-to-eye," said Anthony. "But Amendment 4 is too great a threat to worry about politics. The fate of Florida's economy concerns business and labor leaders-that's why the coalition to defeat Amendment 4 is remarkably diverse."
It is rare to see traditionally implacable political foes share a common cause. But concern over Amendment 4 has not been limited to business and labor organizations.
· 17 of Florida's Editorial Boards have weighed into the Amendment 4 debate. All of them have opposed it. That includes newspapers that are often critical of development like the St. Petersburg Times, the Orlando Sentinel and the Palm Beach Post.
· 1,000 Friends of Florida, our state's top growth management watchdog group, has raised serious concerns that Amendment 4 would lead to "piecemeal planning" and might harm efforts to "lessen sprawling patterns of development."
· The Florida Chamber of Commerce has called Amendment 4 a "jobs-killer" and warned that it could "make the recession permanent."
· The Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association has called Amendment 4 "a single, expensive, and unwieldy solution to a complex and important set of issues."
· The Florida League of Cities, the Florida Association of Counties and the Florida School Boards Association have all opposed Amendment 4.
· Republicans and Democrats of business, labor and environmental backgrounds all serve in high-profile roles as local "VOTE NO on 4" Campaign Chairs.
Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy (The "Vote No on 4" campaign) leads opposition to Amendment 4, coordinating a grassroots network of more than 30 campaign chairs and over 1900 volunteers. The campaign's statewide board of directors is also diverse, including former Florida League of Cities Chairman, Clarence Anthony, Florida Chamber of Commerce President, Mark Wilson, and Florida AFL-CIO Executive Committee member, Frank Ortis. To date, more than 280 labor, business, civic, and planning organizations oppose Amendment 4; more join the fight every day. For more information, please visit www.florida2010.org.
