The summer weather isn’t the only thing heating up in recent weeks.
As the countdown to Election Day in November begins, the bickering over Amendment 4 — click here to see what we’ve written about it — is heating up.
The latest volley took place this week when the Florida Chamber of Commerce filed a second complaint Aug. 2 with the Florida Elections Commission against Florida Hometown Democracy Inc., the sponsor of Amendment 4.
The chamber’s complaint lists 47 alleged violations of campaign finance law contained within Florida Hometown Democracy’s most recent report — bringing the total number of possible violations to more than 115.
Violations of state election law generally carry a fine of up to $1,000 per violation, meaning the 115 alleged violations could carry fines of nearly $120,000.
This latest complaint follows an earlier one filed July 22 by Adam Babington, vice president of governmental affairs with the chamber.
“These flagrant violations are only the most recent in a long history of evading Florida law,” Babington said in a written release.
Not so fast, counters Florida Hometown Democracy President Lesley Blackner.
In an e-mailed response to a request for comment, Blackner said the complaint “is intended to intimidate our grassroots citizens group.”
Blackner went on to say her group has been at this seven years and has followed election law.
“It isn’t surprising to see our opponents try to harass us with frivolous issues,” she said.
Stay tuned because this one will be interesting to watch play out in the media as Election Day approaches.
My in-box gets something from one side or the other just about every day, in addition to the many notifications about lotteries I’ve apparently won all over the world. (Who knew you could win without ever entering?)
Developers and real estate folks already are busy trying to educate local communities about Amendment 4’s potential ramifications, while Florida Hometown Democracy is equally busy touting the benefits of requiring any new or amended comprehensive land-use plans — a state-mandated document that guides an area’s development — be approved by voters.
Everyone we’ve talked to so far seems to have pretty strong opinions one way or the other, so feel free to chime in on this one. What’s your take on Amendment 4?
