Editorial: Vote NO on FL Amendment 4
2010, amendment 4, Chamber of Commerce, Florida, hometown democracy 8:21 AM
by Nick Stone for the Drawnlines Politics editorial board.
Every now and then, an issue comes up that brings political parties together in complete agreement. So-called "Hometown Democracy" is one of those issues.
Florida's Amendment 4 would put before voters any change in county and city land use plans. Any change in the local charters - whether correcting a comma splice or plans for a red light at a dangerous intersection - would be delayed and brought up for a direct vote by the public during the following election. Voters could be subject to literally thousands of decisions on minutiae while important projects are hidden in the barrage. The amendment would take locally elected leaders out of decision making and instead rely on the best sound bites to sway voters to move forward with development and progress.
To be clear, American voters have the most transparent and feedback-friendly form of government in the world. Florida, after passage of tough "Sunshine Laws" under Governor Bush, has a particularly transparent government at all levels. Floridians know how, where, and why their money is spent.
It's worth reminding voters that they already have a sounding board if they want to opine on charter and land use issues. It's called a commission meeting. Commissioners invite public opinion on the record in open meetings where all points of view have a chance to be heard. Concerned citizens can also call, write, or send a proxy to their local representatives to lobby their votes for or against an issue. If the will of the people is not followed, representatives are fired at the ballot box. This is real hometown democracy - the government we have now.
The concept of Amendment 4 has been tried in a pilot case in Pinellas County which has been a disaster. Development has been log jammed, progress halted, and an already weak economy further crippled by this trojan horse.
This amendment is simply not a partisan issue. Democrats and Republicans who have seen the effects of the concept are in complete agreement that it is wrong for Florida.
So-called "Hometown Democracy" is a neuse around Florida's economy and must be defeated if the state is to grow and prosper. It would be the opposite of what its name suggests. We recommend you vote "NO" on Amendment 4.
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Every now and then, an issue comes up that brings political parties together in complete agreement. So-called "Hometown Democracy" is one of those issues.
Florida's Amendment 4 would put before voters any change in county and city land use plans. Any change in the local charters - whether correcting a comma splice or plans for a red light at a dangerous intersection - would be delayed and brought up for a direct vote by the public during the following election. Voters could be subject to literally thousands of decisions on minutiae while important projects are hidden in the barrage. The amendment would take locally elected leaders out of decision making and instead rely on the best sound bites to sway voters to move forward with development and progress.
To be clear, American voters have the most transparent and feedback-friendly form of government in the world. Florida, after passage of tough "Sunshine Laws" under Governor Bush, has a particularly transparent government at all levels. Floridians know how, where, and why their money is spent.
It's worth reminding voters that they already have a sounding board if they want to opine on charter and land use issues. It's called a commission meeting. Commissioners invite public opinion on the record in open meetings where all points of view have a chance to be heard. Concerned citizens can also call, write, or send a proxy to their local representatives to lobby their votes for or against an issue. If the will of the people is not followed, representatives are fired at the ballot box. This is real hometown democracy - the government we have now.
The concept of Amendment 4 has been tried in a pilot case in Pinellas County which has been a disaster. Development has been log jammed, progress halted, and an already weak economy further crippled by this trojan horse.
This amendment is simply not a partisan issue. Democrats and Republicans who have seen the effects of the concept are in complete agreement that it is wrong for Florida.
So-called "Hometown Democracy" is a neuse around Florida's economy and must be defeated if the state is to grow and prosper. It would be the opposite of what its name suggests. We recommend you vote "NO" on Amendment 4.
Check us out on FACEBOOK
Posted by Nick Stone
on 8:21 AM.
Filed under
2010,
amendment 4,
Chamber of Commerce,
Florida,
hometown democracy
.
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