Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy, Inc.

A statewide organization that opposes Amendment 4, a measure that would require changes to local comprehensive land use plans to be ratified or vetoed by voters, will be led locally by three co-chairmen named this week:

- Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton.

- The Rev. Don Roberts, a Methodist clergyman who has overseen Goodwill Industries ManaSota.

- Mike Burton, an environmental scientist and managing principal for natural resources and rural lands at the planning firm WilsonMiller.

Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy opposes an amendment to the state constitution on the November ballot that requires referenda on comp plan changes. The organization contends the measure will prolong the recession and overwhelm the electorate.

Florida Hometown Democracy, which petitioned to get the question on the ballot, contends that developers tend to control growth management in Florida through their influence on politicians with campaign contributions. It argues that overdevelopment, which the voters were likely to disapprove, contributed to Florida’s real estate bust and economic distress.