Amendment 4 strikes fear in local governments

“Amendment 4 will give you a new vote on your community’s future.”

That’s what Florida Hometown Democracy has to say about Amendment 4, not surprising since the grassroots organization is sponsoring the amendment. And according to a 2008 report by the Florida Department of Community Affairs, that is true. In fact, if Amendment 4 existed as law during the 2006-2007 fiscal year, registered voters would have had about 130 “new votes.”

The proposed amendment to the Florida constitution will appear on the November ballot. If the measure is approved by voters, it will require citizens to vote on every change to be made to a municipality’s comprehensive land use plan.

The 2008 report stated that on average, planners reviewed 130.1 changes in the 2006-2007 fiscal year. On average, that could translate into about 130 different proposals every year.

At its July 8 meeting, the High Springs City Commission passed a resolution to officially oppose Amendment 4.  

Commissioner Eric May, who proposed the resolution, echoed the concerns of other state municipalities and organizations, including the Florida League of Cities, that are against the amendment.

He explained it could lead to frequent, chaotic elections and would slow down any local development.

It’s been said that Amendment 4 would cause Florida’s local economies to collapse because of the standstill it would create in already arduous processes of starting or expanding business.

Additionally, he said it would lead to increased power for interest groups and private companies, rather than the people, because individuals will be swayed by the well-funded campaigns of these entities to vote in their favor, rather than what might actually be best for the community.

Another concern is that it will lead to an onslaught of lawsuits when the public wants to protest a change that gets approved.

A similar piece of legislation was enacted at a local level in 2006, in the City of St. Pete Beach, and according to local media reports, the city is fed up with the legal bills it is racking up, and is in the process of considering putting a referendum question on the Nov. 2 ballot to change the city charter back.

For additional information on both sides of the issue, read what the originators of the measure have to say at http://floridahometowndemocracy.com and read what the critics have to say at http://florida2010.org.