State and Local Reporter - 03/31/2005  (Plain Text Version)

Barry Rutenberg, Chair
Gainesville, Florida

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In this issue:
Ohio Latest State to Pass Notice and Opportunity to Repair Law
Keeping Unjustified Requirements Out of Model Building Codes
North Carolina Builders Win School Impact Fee Case
Court Rejects Anti-Growth Zoning Restrictions in Northern Virginia
Central Arizona HBA Urges Education, Consumer Choice in Lieu of Mandatory New-Home Sprinklers
State and Local Government Affairs Meetings at Spring Board
Texas Study: More Minorities Priced Out of Home Buying Market
Florida Supreme Court Stalls Hometown Democracy
NAHB Legislative Conference: Builders to Carry Storm Water, ESA Concerns to Capitol Hill
Industry News...
Staff Changes in NAHB's State & Local Department


Florida Supreme Court Stalls Hometown Democracy

Florida’s home builders achieved their biggest victory yet since joining together over a year ago to defeat a proposed constitutional amendment and anti-growth effort being pushed by the extremist group Florida Hometown Democracy. The proposed constitutional amendment would have required voter approval for changes to city and county development plans throughout the entire state.

Last Thursday, the Florida Supreme Court ruled in a 4-3 decision prohibiting the placement of the so-called “Florida Hometown Democracy” amendment on the 2006 ballot, citing that the amendment’s ballot summary contained misleading language that did not meet legal standards.

At the time of ruling, organizers from Florida Hometown Democracy had collected almost 60,000 of the more than half-million verified signatures necessary to put the amendment on the ballot. It was anticipated that the group, which is endorsed and financially supported by over fifty anti-growth and environmental organizations throughout Florida, would have been able to collect the needed signatures in time for ballot qualification. 

Lawyers representing Florida Hometown Democracy are seeking a motion for reconsideration. If rejected, the group’s leaders have indicated that they will revise the ballot summary and start collecting signatures for the same proposal. 

Dan Gilmore, president of the Florida Home Builders Association, commented that his fellow members will remain steadfast and committed to defeating Florida Hometown Democracy’s harmful efforts. “Ballot box planning is the wrong approach to Smart Growth. The debate needs to be directed to the funding of infrastructure.”

For more information about this story, please contact Ashley Geyer at 800-368-5242 x8126.


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