Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy, Inc.

Under the banner of Floridians for Smarter Growth, the business community is ready for battle

(ORLANDO, FL - June 8, 2009) The radical Hometown Democracy proposal failed to reach the ballot in 2004, 2006 and 2008. However, interest groups bankrolling the would-be constitutional amendment now claim that they have collected enough signatures to reach the ballot in 2010.

The so-called "Hometown Democracy" amendment - a "Vote on Everything" initiative that would force thousands of technical planning changes to appear on the ballot - is opposed by a broad coalition of over 130 environmental, business, labor, planning and community groups throughout the state. This growing coalition includes 1000 Friends of Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Council of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association.

"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."

Hometown Democracy 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 lawsuits at taxpayer expense. Hometown Democracy disciples 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 Hometown Democracy. "Far from empowering voters, it has caused endless frustration at the ballot box and needless litigation at taxpayer expense."

"Floridians for Smarter Growth has organized a very strong grassroots campaign organization," said Wilson. "We have expanded our local leadership teams and grown our statewide coalition. Floridians for Smarter Growth is prepared to debate the 'Vote on Everything' amendment in every community in Florida."

Floridians for Smarter Growth (FSG) was founded by Sunshine State business and community leaders to educate voters on the impacts of the so-called Hometown Democracy amendment. Today, Floridians for Smarter Growth leads a grassroots team of nearly 1000 dedicated volunteers and 130 opposition groups.