Florida Growth Management Initiative (2008)

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The Growth Management Initative initiated constitutional amendment, if passed by the voters, would allow Floridians to call for voter approval of changes to local growth management plans if 10% of the voters in the city or county sign a petition calling for such a referendum.

This initiative was inspired by fear of the Hometown Democracy Amendment, another initiative seeking placement on the 2008 ballot and one that Growth Management Initiative backers call "irresponsible," "unworkable," and "dangerous."[1]

Each county and city in Florida has what is called a comprehensive plan. A "comp plan" lays out the county or city's plans for the use of its land. Under current law, county and city governments may vote to change their comp plans. The Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment, if approved, would amend the Florida Constitution to require that when a county or city wants to change its comp plan, each such change must be placed on the ballot in the form of a referenda for the voters to choose.[2] The Growth Management Initiative would require that proponents of such a referendum collect signatures of 10% of voters in the city of county on petitions before such a referendum would be required. And petitions could only be signed at the county supervisor of elections office.


Contents

Support

Floridians for Smarter Growth is the sponsor of the initiative. The Florida Chamber of Commerce is also supporting the initiative.

Floridians for Smarter Growth states on its web site:

Extreme special interests are promoting another irresponsible amendment to the Florida Constitution. Their so-called "Hometown Democracy" amendment--a statewide "Vote on Everything" initiative--would imperil Florida's prosperity. And they are trying to mislead Florida voters to gain support for an unworkable and dangerous idea. Floridians know our unique quality-of-life is linked to a healthy environment. And we know we must plan and grow smarter than we have in the last decade. But the Vote on Everything amendment will require all Floridians to vote 200 to 300 times more each year, deciding even the tiniest planning change. This will lead to far less planning, increased urban sprawl, much more traffic, higher property taxes, and anemic municipal services. In fact, the net effect of the Vote on Everything amendment--a dead stop for smarter growth in Florida--will destroy our state's strong economy.[3]

According to Adam Babington, leader of the Chamber of Commerce's effort on constitutional amendments:

We're supporting a smarter, more responsible way to manage growth, versus the irresponsible, reckless approach being taken by Hometown Democracy.[4]


Opposition

The Florida Hometown Democracy political action committee (PAC), which calls itself "a grass-roots, non-partisan group who recognize that putting the people in charge of the places where they live is key to a sustainable future of our state,"[5] is opposing this initiative.

According to an article in the Tampa Tribune:

Hometown Democracy founder Lesley Blackner accused the chamber of using a "tricky subterfuge" to confuse voters about the two initiatives. "They are so worried," said Blackner, a Palm Beach lawyer. "I think they just want to wreak havoc in any way possible." She accused chamber officials of hypocrisy because of their continuing efforts to make it more difficult for citizens to pass constitutional amendments with initiatives. For example, the chamber successfully lobbied the Legislature last year to put an amendment on the ballot requiring a 60 percent favorable vote to pass an initiative. "Their No. 1 goal was to stop citizens from petitioning to change the Florida Constitution; now they're using this Trojan horse," Blackner said.[6]


Status

The initiative has been approved for circulation by the Florida Secretary of State. To be placed on the ballot, 611,009 valid signatures must be submitted by January 25, 2008.

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ Floridians for Smarter Growth
  2. ↑ Florida Hometown Democracy
  3. ↑ Floridians for Smarter Growth
  4. ↑ Tampa Bay Online
  5. ↑ Florida Hometown Democracy
  6. ↑ Tampa Bay Online
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