FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (June 30, 2010) – The Broward League of Cities has formally announced its unanimous opposition to Amendment 4 on the November ballot, citing the following reasons:
- Amendment 4 will stifle the development of new business, stalling Florida’s economic recovery.
- Amendment 4 will halt new job creation in Broward County and throughout Florida.
- Implementation of Amendment 4 will necessitate frequent, complicated and costly public referenda at taxpayer expense.
With its requirement that Floridians vote on every substantial land use change, the amendment will result in hundreds of referenda in some cities. Rather than supporting “hometown democracy,” as it claims to do, the plan will increase costs for land use approval processes, impede business development and halt Florida’s economic growth.
“A vote for Amendment 4 will severely impede the speed of economic recovery in Broward County and potentially prolong the effects of the recession on our County’s residents,” said Roy Gold, president of the Broward League of Cities and Coral Springs City Commissioner. “As the president of the Broward League of Cities, I stand for issues affecting Broward County’s 31 municipalities, and I am against this initiative and its ability to compromise our Cities’ economic progress.”
The sentiment of the Broward League of Cities echoes that of all of Broward County’s 31 municipalities, which have passed resolutions formally opposing Amendment 4.
The Broward League of Cities is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and resolving issues facing Broward County’s 31 cities and municipalities at the local, county and state level.
“Pembroke Pines is resolutely opposing an initiative we know will completely halt valuable city projects from fire stations and schools to affordable housing and hospitals, not to mention stifling new businesses because of the multiple land use changes required for start-up,” said Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank Ortis, Broward League of Cities Past President and Board Member. “We have seen what Amendment 4 can do by looking at St. Pete Beach as a case study, and it has become a ghost town. I truly hope Broward County’s citizens learn from St. Pete Beach’s mistake and vote down this potentially disastrous bill.”
The Pinellas County town of St. Pete Beach adopted a similar “vote on everything” measure in 2006. Since its implementation, local economic growth has halted and the city has faced constant litigation and special votes at the expense of taxpayers already experiencing economic strain from a stalled economy. Even initial supporters have filed lawsuits to overturn the amendment.
In opposing Amendment 4, the Broward League joins other prominent Florida organizations in their opposition, including its parent organization, the Florida League of Cities, 1000 Friends of Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Council of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association, the Florida Chamber, Florida 2010 and Floridians for Smarter Growth.
For more information on the Vote No on 4 campaign, please log on to www.BrowardLeague.org or visit Florida 2010 at www.Florida2010.org.