Suddath

Amendment 4

Proposed Amendment 4

BALLOT TITLE: REFERENDA REQUIRED FOR ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLANS.

BALLOT SUMMARY: Establishes that 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, following preparation by the local planning agency, consideration by the governing body and notice. Provides definitions.

AMENDMENT LANGUAGE:

If Proposed Amendment 4 is approved on November 2, it will amend Section 7 of Article II of the Florida Constitution by adding this subsection:

Public participation in local government comprehensive land use planning benefits the conservation and protection of Florida’s natural resources and scenic beauty, and the long-term quality of life of Floridians. Therefore, before a local government may adopt a new comprehensive land use plan, or amend a comprehensive land use plan, such proposed plan or plan amendment shall be subject to vote of the electors of the local government by referendum, following preparation by the local planning agency, consideration by the governing body as provided by general law, and notice thereof in a local newspaper of general circulation. Notice and referendum will be as provided by general law. This amendment shall become effective immediately upon approval by the electors of Florida.

For purposes of this subsection:
1. “Local government” means a county or municipality.
2. “Local government comprehensive land use plan” means a plan to guide and control future land development in an area under the jurisdiction of a local government.
3. “Local planning agency” means the agency of a local government that is responsible for the preparation of a comprehensive land use plan and plan amendments after public notice and hearings and for making recommendations to the governing body of the local government regarding the adoption or amendment of a comprehensive land use plan.
4. “Governing body” means the board of county commissioners of a county, the commission or council of a municipality, or the chief elected governing body of a county or municipality, however designated.

 

Can you take 2 minutes to stop Amendment 4? 

 

 

 

Last year, the Editorial Board of The Southwest Florida News-Press called the so-called "Hometown Democracy" measure (Amendment 4) "a splendid name for a bad idea."

So, what can you do in two minutes or less to help defeat Amendment 4?

1. Visit our NEW WEBSITE! Check out the brand new www.Florida2010.org website!  This is your grassroots portal to the "VOTE NO on 4" campaign.  There are new tools, new videos and more opportunities to get involved in the campaign right now, without leaving your computer.  Take action.  Share the Message.  And become a more informed opponent of Amendment 4.


2. Watch our NEW VIDEO! Watch the campaign's new "Editorial Board" video.  Seventeen of Florida's leading Editorial Boards have weighed in on Amendment 4.  All of them have opposed it. Please take a minute to watch the video, then take another 30 seconds to forward the video to at least 10 Florida voters.


3. Join our SOCIAL NETWORKS!  If you're not already on board, join the "VOTE NO on 4" campaign on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn or our new Facebook Fan Page!

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4. Support the CAUSE!  Please consider donating to the "VOTE NO on 4" campaign - no amount is too small, or too large.

 

 

 

 

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Together, we can spread the word about why Amendment 4 will cost jobs, waste tax dollars and it make more expensive to live in Florida.

 

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Amendment 4 is one of the greatest threats to Florida's economy and quality-of-life.

 

 

 

 

 

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Paid political advertisement - paid for and sponsored by Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy, Inc., 610 South Blvd., Tampa, FL 33606

 

 

 

"VOTE NO ON 4" CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES WEB VIDEO ON AMENDMENT 4

Video tells the story of St. Pete Beach, the first town in Florida to adopt a local version of Amendment 4

(Orlando, FL - March 10, 2010) Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy today stepped up its campaign against Amendment 4, launching a web video on St. Pete Beach--the first community in Florida to adopt a local version of the proposed constitutional amendment. The video can be viewed online at www.florida2010.org.

"St. Pete Beach is proof positive that Amendment 4 doesn't work," said Ryan Houck, executive director of Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy. "This idea has led to higher property tax rates, fewer jobs and endless litigation in St. Pete Beach. It's the last thing Florida needs in the midst of a recession."[i]

While Florida voters are set to soon decide the fate of Amendment 4 - a statewide Vote on Everything initiative - St. Pete Beach voters have already chosen to rein in their own local experiment by a decisive margin.

Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy leads opposition to Amendment 4, coordinating a grassroots network of more than 30 campaign chairs and over 1300 volunteers. To date, more than 220 organizations have opposed Amendment 4. More join the fight every day.

The St. Pete Beach TIMELINE:

November, 2006: St. Pete Beach narrowly adopts a local version of Amendment 4, requiring a referendum for all changes to the local comprehensive plan. Amendment 4 supporters promise that they just want to give "the people a right to vote."

June, 2008: St. Pete Beach voters approve a new comprehensive plan at the ballot box.

June, 2008: After losing the election, Amendment 4 supporters in St. Pete Beach file a string of legal challenges to invalidate the will of the people.

September, 2008: Numerous administrative challenges are subsequently filed by Amendment 4 co-author and co-founder Ross Burnaman.

June, 2009: The St. Petersburg Times reports that St. Pete Beach has exhausted its legal budget months before the end of the fiscal year.[ii]

September, 2009: Amidst rising legal bills, St. Pete Beach raises the property tax rate.[iii]

October, 2009: Court-ordered mediation collapses when Amendment 4 supporters refuse to join the City and the business community in supporting a compromise.[iv]

 



[i] St. Petersburg Times on September 22, 2009 ("St. Pete Beach tax rates goes up, but will it be felt?"): http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/st-pete-beach-tax-rate-goes-up-but-will-it-be-felt /1038346

[ii] St. Petersburg Times on June 1, 2009 ("St. Pete Beach's legal costs bust budget")

[iii] St. Petersburg Times on September 22, 2009 ("St. Pete Beach tax rates goes up, but will it be felt?"): http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/st-pete-beach-tax-rate-goes-up-but-will-it-be-felt/1038346

[iv] St. Petersburg Times on November 4, 2009 ("Mediator declares impasse in talks to end St Pete Beach development lawsuits"): http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/mediator-declares-impasse-in-talks-to-end-st-pete-beach-development/1049083

 

For more information go to: http://Florida2010.org