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Amendment 4 Florida

November 2, 2010 by · Comments Off on Amendment 4 Florida 

Amendment 4 Florida, Florida voters must say “no” on three constitutional amendments on today’s vote that could harm taxpayers, undermine the state’s economy and hurt the democratic values.

Amendment 4 would require voter approval of all changes to local plans for land use. Opponents say it will cost jobs and hurt Florida’s economy by stifling growth, costing millions of taxpayer dollars.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush said in a recent editorial that the amendment “has the potential to completely stall our economy, making it harder to create jobs, develop, and responsibly manage growth in our country.”

A Florida town that has enacted a similar law found caused years of costly litigation, the burden of taxpayers and led to jobs elsewhere.

Supporters of the amendment say voters deserve a seat at the table “on the growth decisions in their cities and counties. But voters are already in control of comprehensive plans by electing town officials and county that best represent their views on development.

It is crucial for the future of Florida that this amendment is to defeat.

Amendments 5 and 6 should allow Florida courts to draw redistricting maps. They require that district plans can be drawn to favor or oppose a political party or historical. They would also mandate that districts be contiguous, compact, and – if possible – use the existing city, county and geographical boundaries.

Amendment 5 refers to legislative redistricting, Amendment 6, congressional redistricting.

It is clear that the plans would be difficult or impossible to implement, and lead to endless litigation. They increase the likelihood that any redistricting plan to the state legislature would develop the subject of protracted litigation and ultimately be replaced by a system created by judges rather than elected representatives.

As Jeb Bush noted, the amendments could jeopardize the progress of Florida has done this by creating opportunities for all individuals to serve in their government.

Supporters say the amendments curb gerrymandering. But real communities of interest are not necessarily compact and do not fall easily along the lines of political boundaries such as counties. Districts Force adjustment in these lines, it is difficult for the voters of the group on the basis of genuine mutual interest.

Opponents also say it is an act of rescue Trial lawyers, judges and unaccountable would steer the power of the political left.

Voters should say “no” on amendments 4, 5 and 6.

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