Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy, Inc.

Business and civic leaders to battle Amendment 4

(Orlando, FL - April 14, 2010) Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy (the "Vote No on 4" campaign) today continued its rollout of local leadership by announcing the campaign's Dade County Co-Chairs: Neisen Kasdin, Shareholder with the law firm of Akerman Senterfitt, Stan Price, Partner with the law firm of Bilzin Sumberg, Simon Ferro, former United States Ambassador to Panama, and Cliff Schulman, Shareholder with the law firm of Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole & Boniske. Today's announcement comes one week after the campaign released the name of its Broward County Chairman, Frank Ortis, a Mayor and union leader.

“Our campaign in Miami-Dade is of vital importance,” said the campaign’s executive director Ryan Houck. “That’s why we’re working with a group of Co-Chairs who bring a powerful range of experience to the table. We’re honored to add them to our growing team.”

Simon Ferro (click here for bio) is an attorney and former US Ambassador to Panama under the Clinton Administration. He is the former Chair of the Democratic Party of Florida and member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). “At a time of economic hardship, Amendment 4 will hurt working families the most. It’s the last thing we need right now,” said Ferro, who cited a recent Amendment 4 study by the Coral Gables-based Washington Economics Group. That study (which can be found here) indicated that Amendment 4 will cost more than 250,000 Florida jobs.

Neisen Kasdin (click here for bio) is a former Miami Beach Mayor. He chairs the land use practice at Akerman Senterfitt. “Given Florida’s record high unemployment rate of 12.2%, Florida simply cannot afford Amendment 4, a proposal that would drive unemployment even higher,” said Kasdin.

Stan Price (click here for bio) is a Partner and land use and government relations Chair at Bilzin Sumberg, as well as a former adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law. “Amendment 4 comes with an extraordinary price-tag,” added Price. “It will leave taxpayers with higher bills and little progress.”

Cliff Schulman (click here for bio) is a Shareholder with the law firm of Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole & Boniske, an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law, Masters Program, and the former Chairman of the environmental and land use section of the Florida Bar. “Amendment 4 would undermine efforts to diversify Florida's economy by creating an unpredictable and chaotic business environment that will dissuade companies from investing in our state,” concluded Schulman.

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 245 organizations throughout Florida have opposed Amendment 4; more join the fight every day.