Hometown Democracy opponents align to fight unwieldy amendment. As usual, don’t let the title mislead you.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – April 29, 2009 – Hundreds of Florida groups have joined together to oppose the proposed Hometown Democracy amendment, which would disallow any land use change unless a majority of citizens voted for it. Supporters include an alliance of groups that many times disagree on other issues.
The proposed Hometown Democracy amendment failed to get enough voter signatures to appear on the 2004, 2006 or 2008 ballot. However, “Hometown Democracy backers are once again bankrolling paid petition-gathering efforts, which should enable them to reach the ballot in the near future,” says AdamE. Babington with the ?Legislative Counsel? of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
“In the last four years alone, this amendment would have required an average of over 10,599 additional local votes per year in Florida,” says Babington. “In fact, in 2007 alone in Carrabelle, a small town in Franklin County, voters would have decided 840 separate ballot questions.”
??Since 2007, Florida’s business community has come together under the banner of Floridians for Smarter Growth (FSG) – an ongoing campaign designed to educate Floridians on the consequences of Hometown Democracy.
As one of the group participants, the Florida Association of Realtors steadfastly opposes the proposed amendment.
?For more information about the campaign to defeat Hometown Democracy, visit www.florida2010.org. The site includes a complete list of the groups opposing the amendment, printable flyers, issue details, a petition visitors may sign and contact information.
