Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy, Inc.

As an educator, a major concern of mine and of Broward College’s District Board of Trustees is that the passage of Amendment 4 will likely cause a delay in providing new facilities and expanding campuses to serve our growing student body. Florida’s college system is a multifaceted economic driver and passage of Amendment 4 would constrain our ability to carry out our academic, workforce and professional development mandates for our students.

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 argue

BRADENTON - In a raucous debate Thursday that showed how divisive the issue has become, a proponent and an opponent of Amendment 4 blasted each other over the growth management measure. "It started off with a battle and it ended with one," Pat Glass, moderator of the Manatee Tiger Bay Club, said.