Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy, Inc.

Diverse coalition of Bay area leaders spearhead opposition to Amendment 4.

(Orlando, FL - April 27, 2010) Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy (the "Vote No on 4" campaign) today announced the campaign’s Tampa Bay Co-Chairs. The Bay area team includes former state representative Bob Henriquez - former Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party of Florida; St. Petersburg City Councilman Karl Nurse - President of Pinellas Living Green, Inc.; and Stephanie Oddo - a City Commissioner in Belleair, Florida. Today's announcement comes one week after the campaign released the name of its Treasure Coast Chairman, Toby Overdorf, an environmental activist and small business owner.

“Our Tampa Bay team is led by a diverse group of business, environmental and civic leaders,” said the campaign’s executive director Ryan Houck. “We are confident that their unique backgrounds will continue to broaden the campaign’s reach.”

Bob Henriquez (click here for bio) is Circuit Administrator for the Department of Children and Families, Hillsborough County, a former State Representative, and a leader within the Florida Democratic Party. “Amendment 4 will hurt Florida’s working families and small businesses by raising taxes and contributing to our state’s already record high unemployment,” said Henriquez.

Karl Nurse (click here for bio) is the Founder and President of Pinellas Living Green, Inc., the President of Bay Tech Label, and the recipient of the Sierra Club Award for Pinellas Green Living Expo in 2007. “The passage of Amendment 4 would have devastating consequences for our state’s natural resources,” said Nurse. “By preventing well-coordinated, smarter growth, Amendment 4 encourages short-term thinking that will promote sprawl.”

Stephanie Oddo (click here for bio) is a Belleair Commissioner and a member of the Florida League of Cities Finance and Tax Policy Council. “Amendment 4 will lower Floridians' quality of life by stalling projects that create jobs. Worse still, taxpayers will be forced to pay for expensive elections and costly litigation, leading to higher taxes or fewer government services," said Oddo.

Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy (the "Vote No on 4" campaign) is an umbrella organization that leads opposition to Amendment 4. The campaign's statewide Board of Directors includes former National League of Cities President, Clarence Anthony, Florida Chamber of Commerce President, Mark Wilson, and Florida AFL-CIO Executive Committee member, Frank Ortis. To date, more than 255 organizations throughout Florida have opposed Amendment 4; more join the fight every day.