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May-21-2010 Orlando Business Journal
Mayors: No more unfunded mandates
“Please don’t give us anymore unfunded mandates,” said Altamonte Springs Mayor Pat Bates, one of six mayors speaking at the first ever Orlando Business Journal Mayor’s Summit May 21 at the Orlando Marriott Downtown.
May-04-2010 Seminole Beacon
Council says no to Amendment 4
Councilors voted unanimously April 27 to pass a resolution opposing Amendment 4, which would amend the Florida Constitution on land use decisions.
Apr-28-2010 Ft. Myers News-Press
Amendment 4 will cripple the economy
Amendment 4 would give that responsibility of changing communities' comprehensive plans to residents. In an average community, there could potentially be 200-300 changes to be approved each year.
Apr-17-2010 Naples Daily News
Guest commentary: Amendment 4 will create more problems than it will solve
What Amendment 4 supporters fail to realize is Amendment 4, a proposed rewrite of our state’s constitution which will require taxpayer-funded referendums for all changes to local government comprehensive plans, will not solve those problems; rather...
Apr-13-2010 TC Palm
Linda W. Cox: Amendment 4 would mean more job losses for Florida
At a time when Treasure Coast residents are still reeling from the recession, Amendment 4 threatens to derail all efforts to revive our stalled economy. Ultimately, this ill-advised amendment would raise taxes and kill jobs.
Apr-12-2010 Miami Herald
My view: Amendment 4 would invite state of economic chaos
This process is anti-democratic because it will litter ballots with well over a thousand minor and technical amendments (taking an inordinate amount of time to cast a ballot), leading to greater disillusionment and frustration with an already...
Apr-07-2010 Miami Herald
Florida bill would mandate civics lessons in schools
Florida law says students in middle school must take social studies courses, including civics, but does not require them to pass a test to be promoted.
Mar-31-2010 Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Florida's unfunded mandates
The Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities have proposed a "Local Saving Act" that describes more than a dozen issues that the Legislature could address to reduce the burden on local taxpayers -- without harming...
Mar-31-2010 Florida Times-Union
Poll says Amendment 4 doesn't have numbers to pass
A new poll says Floridians are in favor of Amendment 4, the Hometown Democracy Amendment, but not in number sufficient to add it to the state's constitution.
Mar-30-2010 Florida League of Cities
Urgent Message on Census 2010 from President Marks
Cities lost more than $2,200 in federal and state aid for each person undercounted.
Mar-30-2010 Florida League of Cities
The Real Story Behind TABOR
This video discusses the impact of the "Taxpayer Bill of Rights" on Colorado and provides lessons for other states that may be considering similar limits on state taxes and spending. http://www.floridaleagueofcities.com/News.aspx?CNID=...
Mar-26-2010 The Daily Loaf
TBARTA comes out against the Hometown Democracy Amendment
Mar-25-2010 Tampa Tribune
End unfunded mandates
"Unfunded mandates" is an unusual term for most people. Yet unfunded mandates affect all Floridians, which is why we believe it's important that they be stopped.
Mar-24-2010 Florida Times-Union
Jax Chamber kicks off Amendment 4 fight
Panelist Bob Rhodes, of counsel with Foley & Lardner, said the proposed constitutional amendment, commonly known as Florida Hometown Democracy, leaves unanswered questions.
Mar-24-2010 Sarasota Herald-Tribune
An amendment to quiet Chicken Little
The sky is not falling in Venice, despite the recurring claims we hear every time the city's comprehensive growth plan comes up for discussion. It's the same chorus that arises anywhere in the state that tries to slow its population growth...
Mar-23-2010 Tallahassee Democrat
John Marks: Open government, yes; unfunded mandates, no
Re: "What is the League of Cities hiding?" (Bob Gabord, March 19).
Mar-23-2010 Tampa Bay Newspapers
Amendment goes too far
A proposed state constitutional amendment will cost taxpayers an unprecedented amount of money in election costs, usurp governments’ legislative powers and have a chilling effect on proposed developments across the state.
Mar-21-2010 Orlando Sentinel
Editorial: Defuse pension bombs
In the parade of horribles confronting Florida legislators this year — including a huge budget gap, double-digit unemployment and cash-starved schools — it's easy to overlook the rising cost of municipal pension plans for police and...
Mar-20-2010 St. Petersburg Times
Dunedin drafts resolution to urge no vote on Hometown Democracy
City commissioners dislike Amendment 4 so much they have asked for a resolution urging residents to "consider the apparent negative consequences" before voting on it in November.
Mar-19-2010 St. Petersburg Times
Dunedin drafting advice on vote
The amendment known as Hometown Democracy has few fans in Dunedin City Hall. City commissioners dislike Amendment 4 so much they have asked for a resolution urging residents to "consider the apparent negative consequences" before voting on...

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