Passing Amendment 4 will protect Florida's quality of life, supporters say. Opponents argue it would destroy the state's economy.

"It would be the worst thing that could happen to Florida,"  state Rep. Ray Sansom, a Destin Republican, told Gulf Breeze and Pensacola business, civic and government leaders gathered at a joint legislative luncheon in January. "It would shut down economic growth in the state."

The proposed amendment to the state's constitution would require changes to city and county comprehensive land use plans to be approved by voters. Florida Hometown Democracy Inc., a political action committee, has collected more than 700,000 registered voters' signatures to have the initiative placed on the ballot. The PAC uses the term "Hometown Democracy" to promote its effort. Statewide, chambers of commerce and other groups are rallying to educate voters what the patriotic-sounding initiative could mean for the state's economy.

 

For more on this story, see the Feb. 11 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.