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Amendment 4: 'Hometown Demagoguery'
Source:
Fernandina Beach News Leader
Date:
August 2, 2010
I think one of the candidates in the recent Fernandina Beach city election said it best. When asked at a candidates' forum if she was in favor of Amendment 4 she recounted that she had asked a local advocate of the amendment why he was so strongly in favor of the constitutional amendment. He responded that the amendment was needed because Nassau County kept electing the wrong people. Her very thoughtful response was "then elect the right people."
Locally, I think Amendment 4 is promoted by a minority of activists who, unable to elect "the right people," see an opportunity for a small, organized group to control the economic future of our community. And the clever "Hometown Democracy" label is just so much lipstick on this pig.
Featured
Amendment 4 destructive; just ask small towns that had their own versions of it
Source:
TC Palm
Date:
August 1, 2010
The debate over Amendment 4 — a controversial proposal to alter Florida’s constitution — rages on. With an unprecedented coalition of business, environmental, labor and civic groups working to defeat it, the proponents of Amendment 4 are struggling to convince voters that their measure is anything but extreme, costly and unworkable. Floridians recently heard their latest claim.
An Amelia Island resident recently wrote in support of Amendment 4, arguing that as part of some collective effort to improve decision making by government, we should take one small part of what government does (regulate land use) and vote on each comprehensive land use change.
Never mind that there are other issues decided by local governments, like how much fire protection and police service is adequate, or how much to collect in taxes.
Featured
Amendment 4 would hamstring Florida's local government
Source:
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Date:
July 26, 2010
When voters go to the polls in November, they will find the ballot festooned with Florida constitutional measures -- including Amendment 4, euphemistically labeled by its sponsors as "Hometown Democracy." If it were to pass, the amendment would require a referendum election on any change to a city or county comprehensive land-use plan.
Such a byzantine constraint would hamstring the capacity of local government to timely react to the community's ever-changing health, safety and welfare needs and would potentially cripple Florida's efforts to resuscitate its sputtering economy.
Featured
Amendment 4 Campaign Not Reporting Vital Donor Information, Report Shows
Date:
July 26, 2010
(Orlando, FL - July 26, 2010) An official complaint lodged late last week with the Florida Elections Commission (FEC) reveals a disturbing pattern of possible campaign finance violations committed by Florida Hometown Democracy, the sponsor of Amendment 4. The complaint-filed by the Florida Chamber of Commerce-lists more than 70 possible violations that have occurred within the last two years and which carry a potential penalty of more than $70,000. However, incomplete financial reports from Florida Hometown Democracy reveal a long history of failing to report donor information, dating back to 2003.
"We don't yet know how deep the rabbit hole goes," said Ryan Houck, executive director of Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy. "But we know that these violations are serious. For example, they have failed to include important donor information for an individual who has contributed nearly $50,000 to their campaign."
Featured
Amendment 4 Poses Threat to Florida's Economic Growth
Source:
The Bradenton Times
Date:
July 25, 2010
A proposed amendment to Florida’s Constitution, Amendment 4, would require that all changes to Comprehensive Plans approved by local governments must also be approved by voters. Amendment 4’s unintended consequences pose a serious threat to Florida’s ability to secure high-paying jobs and achieve sustainable economic growth and will add layers of unnecessary, costly, and litigious bureaucracy to the planning process
Featured
Hometown Democracy Throws Truth Under the Bus in Televised Amendment 4 Debate
Date:
July 25, 2010
Supporters of Amendment 4 are dead wrong when they dismiss St. Pete Beach's costly, disastrous experiment with Hometown Democracy-style referendum rules as having "absolutely nothing" to do with Amendment 4. During a recent televised debate (See Part 1 Here, and Part 2 Here), Hometown Democracy leader Bett Willett smeared St. Pete Beach as a "red herring", claiming that city officials "bypassed state law" by putting comprehensive plan changes on the ballot without holding public hearings or sending the changes to state growth management officials. She even claimed that "If Amendment 4 had been in place, [St. Pete Beach] wouldn't have had any lawsuits at all."
The debate over Amendment 4 seems to intensify daily. With an unprecedented coalition of business, environmental, labor and civic groups working to defeat it, the proponents of Amendment 4 are turning to fanciful rhetoric and imaginative half-truths to distract voters from the facts.
Let's get this debate back on track by focusing on those facts before voters make the final decision this November.
The Florida AFL-CIO announced its opposition to Amendment 4 today, joining a coalition of business, builder and community groups seeking to defeat the proposed constitutional amendment that would require a public referendum on changes to a community’s comprehensive growth plan.
The union group says it’s one of more than 280 “leading business, civic and labor groups that are working to defeat the measure in November.”
While Amendment 4 would be a boon to campaign consults and PR firms - cranking up campaigns to support or oppose comp plan changes would be a growth industry - that doesn't mean it will bring anything resembling rationality or vision to growth management in Florida.
Helping to Stop Admendment 4
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