TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Sept. 27, 2010 – Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy, a coalition of government agencies, concerned private citizens and business and economic groups – including Florida Realtors® – is rolling out the first of four “Vote No on 4” ad campaigns leading up to the Nov. 2 elections.
The first ad series, entitled “Warning Label,” focuses on Amendment 4’s financial impact statement, which says, “The amendment’s impact on local government expenditures cannot be estimated precisely.” While a specific dollar amount may not be possible, the coalition will highlight the industries that would be impacted and the resulting financial impact on Florida.
The Vote No on 4 campaign will explain these hidden costs through a series of 30-second television and 60-second radio ads, which begin airing today in major news markets across the state. Each ad will highlight a hidden impact, such as jobs that will be lost as the construction industry contracts; smaller tax revenue for local governments as businesses decline and the resulting cut in services, such as road maintenance, sewer services and more. And since Florida has just begun to scratch its way out of the worst recession in memory, Amendment 4’s timing could not be worse.
“Fewer jobs, fewer services, and a longer recession? Amendment 4 doesn’t make financial sense in many, many ways,” says Florida Realtors Vice President of Public Policy John Sebree. “Voters who understand Amendment 4 recognize the danger; unfortunately, not everyone understands the consequences yet. The amendment says it’s impossible to estimate costs, but that’s because the trickle-down effect will impact restaurants, schools and more – potentially every business and family in the state.”
The Vote No on 4 campaign hosts a website at:
“We need Realtors to help spread the word,” says Sebree. “Put out yard signs, tell your social network, stand up at civic organizations and explain what could happen. If we hope to defeat this proposal, the Vote No on 4 campaign needs everyone’s help.”
A number of leading newspapers and other media outlets across Florida have published editorials that support the “Vote No on 4” stance and urge voters to defeat Amendment 4 at the polls.
© 2010 Florida Realtors® |
