Featured
Amendment 4: Real estate would be devastated
Source:
The Jacksonville Observer
Date:
July 22, 2010
Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton recently presented his 2010-2011 budget, noting that like state and local governments across the country, Jacksonville is facing financial challenges.
Contributing to those challenges - overall property values in the county are declining again this year.
Featured
Florida Chamber files complaint against Hometown Democracy
Source:
The Jacksonville Observer
Date:
July 22, 2010
The Florida Chamber of Commerce filed a complaint with the Florida Elections Commission against Florida Hometown Democracy Inc., the Political Action Committee sponsoring Amendment 4.
The complaint, filed by Adam Babington, vice president of Governmental Affairs with the Chamber, alledges that the group failed to properly comply with state elections law, including failing to report occupational information on all contributions in excess of $100 and using improper disclaimers in political advertising, incluing on the official Amendment 4 website.
The Florida AFL-CIO today announced its opposition to Amendment 4, becoming a part of the unprecedented coalition of more than 280 leading business, civic and labor groups that are working to defeat the measure in November. The Florida AFL-CIO decision reflects an emerging consensus among diverse organizations across the political spectrum that Amendment 4 is will hurt working families.
The Florida AFL-CIO today announced its opposition to Amendment 4, becoming a part of the unprecedented coalition of more than 280 leading business, civic and labor groups that are working to defeat the measure in November. The Florida AFL-CIO decision reflects an emerging consensus among diverse organizations across the political spectrum that Amendment 4 is will hurt working families. A proposal to alter Florida's constitution, Amendment 4 would require taxpayer-funded referenda for any change to a local government comprehensive plan, burdening small businesses, local governments and non-profits with additional costs, delays and uncertainty.
In summary, Amendment 4 reads as follows:
“Before a local government may adopt a new comprehensive land use plan, or amend a comprehensive land use plan, the proposed plan or amendment shall be subject to vote of the electors of the local government by referendum.”
In essence, this amendment requires local governments to consult the electorate before making changes to, or replacing, existing planning and zoning laws. So what could possibly be wrong with that? On the surface, this amendment puts a wedge between politicians and developers, making it more difficult to broker backroom deals and peddle influence for campaign contributions. “The electors” will have the final say on how land is parceled out or earmarked. Instead of power accumulating to government, it would rest with the people, for a refreshing change.
Featured
Growth proposal may choke state's economy
Source:
The Daytona Beach News- Journal
Date:
July 18, 2010
Amendment 4, which will be presented to Florida voters on the November ballot as "Hometown Democracy," is a thinly disguised effort to stifle all development now reviewed and approved by our elected and city officials.
Featured
Amendment 4's slick campaign will prove costly to Floridians
Source:
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Date:
July 18, 2010
Would you vote to put your neighbor out of work? Would you vote to raise the jobless rate to 15 percent, or higher? Would you vote to make it tougher for small businesses to operate, grow and add jobs in Florida?
This November, Floridians will have the opportunity to vote "no" on Amendment 4 — a Trojan Horse measure that will leave tens of thousands of working-class men and women without a job.
Featured
Davie group promotes town's economic growth
Source:
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Date:
July 17, 2010
Robert Love believes Davie can rebound from the recession quicker than most towns.
The town now boasts its own economic director, a job Davie lacked when it counted most: during the economic real estate boom five years ago.
Featured
Commission passes resolution against proposed amendment
Source:
The Gainesville Sun
Date:
July 17, 2010
After the Gainesville City Commission's marathon hearing on the fire service assessment late Thursday night, commissioners passed a resolution denouncing the so-called Florida Hometown Democracy amendment that will be on the ballot in November.
If you don’t know, there is a debate going on. A debate whether or not we should be a Democracy or Republic. A debate we are calling the Florida Hometown Democracy Land Use, Amendment 4.
Helping to Stop Admendment 4
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