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Major Economic Study says |
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Florida Business and
Labor leaders come together to oppose amendment;
officially launch "No on 4" campaign
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(Tallahassee,
FL - January 26, 2010) Florida business, civic and
labor leaders gathered in Tallahassee on Tuesday to
hear the report of a top Florida economist showing
that Amendment 4 - a proposed change to the state
constitution - would lead to heavy job loss and
higher costs for Floridians.
"The losses of Florida
jobs under the 'Most Likely Scenario' are very
high," reported Tony Villamil, economist for the
Washington Economics Group, the organization that
conducted the study. "Amendment 4's passage will
have potentially devastating consequences to
Florida's economy at a time when the economic
situation at both the state and national levels is
uncertain and at a time when attracting new
businesses to Florida is essential for the future
recovery and prosperity of the state and its
residents."
The study considers a "Modest" and a
"Most Likely" economic impact scenario. The
study does not predict a "Worst Case" scenario.
According to the study:
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Under both scenarios,
Florida's economic dynamism is lost. This would
permanently impact the economic growth potential for
Florida, causing a steady decline in the standard of
living of all Florida residents. Further,
permanently impacting employment and growth within
major industries and job-generating activities.
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"If
you like the recession, you'll love Amendment 4,"
said Mark Wilson, President of the Florida Chamber
of Commerce. "This amendment will cost jobs, hurt
taxpayers and make it more expensive to live in
Florida."
In an unprecedented show of unity, labor
and business leaders agreed to jointly oppose
Amendment 4.
"It's not too often that a union leader
and a business leader agree on something," said
Frank Ortis, President of the Florida State Council
of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. "But we can all
see how much Amendment 4 would hurt Florida's
working families. And we are working together to
defeat it.
" Ortis and Wilson serve together on the
board of Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger
Economy, Inc., the group formed to defeat Amendment
4. That organization is chaired by former South Bay
Mayor and National League of Cities President
Clarence Anthony.
"No single item on the 2010 ballot
has the potential to weaken Florida's economy and
hurt Florida's taxpayers more than Amendment 4,"
said Anthony. "If passed, this amendment will trap
Florida's communities in gridlock."
The economic
study indicates that Amendment 4 will also have a
major impact on Florida taxpayers. According to the
study: |
Additionally, Florida's tax revenues would
sharply slow as a result of Amendment 4's passage as
fewer commercial and residential properties will be
developed due to the increased costs and uncertainty
associated with each comprehensive land-use plan
referendum. This would force local and state
governments to either raise taxes or cut services.
Public schools, public safety and local health care
services would suffer from both the direct impact of
Amendment 4 (delay construction until the next
election) and the indirect impact of fewer tax
revenues from which to fund needed operations and
capital investments.
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If Amendment 4 is adopted,
Florida would become the guinea pig for a measure
that has never been adopted in any other state in
the country. However, the small Florida town of St.
Pete Beach adopted a local version of Amendment 4 in
2006. Since then, the town has seen fewer jobs,
higher tax rates and endless litigation at taxpayer
expense.
"Our experiment in Amendment 4 has turned
St. Pete Beach into a battleground for special
interests," said Ward Friszolowski, the former Mayor
of St. Pete Beach. "And at a time of economic
hardship, it has caused extraordinary damage to our
economy."
"I ask the voters of Florida to learn more
about St. Pete Beach-- and to learn from our
mistakes," said Friszolowski. "Amendment 4 supporters promise that they'll give you a 'say on
growth.' Don't believe it. Don't let them do to
Florida what they already did to my hometown."
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