Vote No On 4

“VOTE NO ON 4” CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES WEB VIDEO ON AMENDMENT 4

Video tells the story of St. Pete Beach, the first town in Florida to adopt a local version of Amendment 4

(Orlando, FL – March 10, 2010) Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy today stepped up its campaign against Amendment 4, launching a web video on St. Pete Beach–the first community in Florida to adopt a local version of the proposed constitutional amendment. The video can be viewed online at   www.florida2010.org.

“St. Pete Beach is proof positive that Amendment 4 doesn’t work,” said Ryan Houck, executive director of Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy. “This idea has led to higher property tax rates, fewer jobs and endless litigation in St. Pete Beach. It’s the last thing Florida needs in the midst of a recession.”[i]

While Florida voters are set to soon decide the fate of Amendment 4 – a statewide Vote on Everything initiative – St. Pete Beach voters have already chosen to rein in their own local experiment by a decisive margin.

Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy leads opposition to Amendment 4, coordinating a grassroots network of more than 30 campaign chairs and over 1300 volunteers. To date, more than 220 organizations have opposed Amendment 4. More join the fight every day.

The St. Pete Beach TIMELINE:

November, 2006: St. Pete Beach narrowly adopts a local version of Amendment 4, requiring a referendum for all changes to the local comprehensive plan. Amendment 4 supporters promise that they just want to give “the people a right to vote.”

June, 2008: St. Pete Beach voters approve a new comprehensive plan at the ballot box.

June, 2008: After losing the election, Amendment 4 supporters in St. Pete Beach file a string of legal challenges to invalidate the will of the people.

September, 2008: Numerous administrative challenges are subsequently filed by Amendment 4 co-author and co-founder Ross Burnaman.

June, 2009: The St. Petersburg Times reports that St. Pete Beach has exhausted its legal budget months before the end of the fiscal year.[ii]

September, 2009: Amidst rising legal bills, St. Pete Beach raises the property tax rate.[iii]

October, 2009: Court-ordered mediation collapses when Amendment 4 supporters refuse to join the City and the business community in supporting a compromise.[iv]

[i] St. Petersburg Times on September 22, 2009 (“St. Pete Beach tax rates goes up, but will it be felt?”):http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/st-pete-beach-tax-rate-goes-up-but-will-it-be-felt /1038346

[ii] St. Petersburg Times on June 1, 2009 (“St. Pete Beach’s legal costs bust budget”)

[iii] St. Petersburg Times on September 22, 2009 (“St. Pete Beach tax rates goes up, but will it be felt?”):http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/st-pete-beach-tax-rate-goes-up-but-will-it-be-felt/1038346

[iv] St. Petersburg Times on November 4, 2009 (“Mediator declares impasse in talks to end St Pete Beach development lawsuits”): http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/mediator-declares-impasse-in-talks-to-end-st-pete-beach-development/1049083