A proposed state constitutional amendment will cost taxpayers an unprecedented amount of money in election costs, usurp governments’ legislative powers and have a chilling effect on proposed developments across the state.
But don't make the solution worse than the problem.
Amendment 4 Will Hurt Taxpayers
Date:
March 8, 2010
As our state’s economy continues to buckle under the strain of the Great Recession, Floridians have been forced to tighten their belts. However, even as many working families and small businesses struggle to make ends meet, a handful of well-funded lawyers and special interest groups are trying to pass an irresponsible amendment to our state constitution that would lead to painful property tax increases.
But Amendment 4, popularly known as "Hometown Democracy," would be a change for the worse if it is approved by voters this fall.
On the surface it sounds like a good idea. Even the name inspires good feelings. We all have a warm spot in our hearts for our hometown, and democracy — how could that be bad?
The answer is it can be bad on several levels, not the least of which is that it will fail to do what its proponents promise.
Hometown Democracy: What Would Our Forefathers Do Now?
Date:
February 14, 2010
Hometown Democracy is Florida’s hot-button ballot issue of 2010. That has been evident in the traffic to this website. Our analytical article and opposing pro and con commentaries on Hometown Democracy draw far more readers than anything else we’ve posted. And the level of passion among those readers is evident in their comments – for and against.
That’s hardly surprising considering the impact Hometown Democracy could have on Florida’s economy, environment and quality of life.
St. Pete Beach: Troubling developments in a Hometown Democracy testing ground
Date:
February 12, 2010
SPECIAL REPORT: Amendment 4 to cost over 260,000 jobs, study says
Date:
February 6, 2010
Business, civic and labor leaders gathered in Tallahassee recently to hear the report of a top Florida economist indicating that Amendment 4—a proposed re-write of our state constitution—would lead to massive job loss.
In November, Florida voters will decide the fate of Amendment 4, a controversial plan to change our state Constitution. Leading business, labor, planning, health care and good-government groups have opposed Amendment 4 because it will lead to higher taxes and fewer jobs. While the backers of Amendment 4 say that their proposal is good for the environment, they have failed to win the full support of Florida's environmental community.
The reason is simple: Amendment 4 may encourage sprawl, which is harmful to our environment and costly for taxpayers. In the long run, it will make it much harder for local governments to set aside parklands, encourage energy-efficient building, promote smarter growth and preserve green spaces.
"Amendment 4" Likely to Cost 267,247 Florida Jobs, Major Economic Study Says
Date:
January 26, 2010
Florida Business and Labor leaders come together to oppose amendment; officially launch "No on 4" campaign
(Tallahassee, FL - January 26, 2010) Florida business, civic and labor leaders gathered in Tallahassee on Tuesday to hear the report of a top Florida economist showing that Amendment 4 - a proposed change to the state constitution - would lead to heavy job loss and higher costs for Floridians.
Featured
Editorial: Our Voice: Let's avoid California's problems
Source:
Daily Commercial
Date:
January 20, 2010
Much more significant, however, is the lesson all of America should have learned from the disastrous results of California's system of propositions -- which, in many cases, has required voter approval for individual state expenditures. So that, for example, approval could be given for the construction of a bridge, but not for the higher taxes needed to pay for it. As a result, California is effectively bankrupt.
Helping to Stop Admendment 4
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