In today's Orlando Sentinel (Sunday 9/4) the paper reported that Florida business lobby via support from the Republican party and by making false claims concerning the Hometown Democracy Initiative voted on in the 2010 elections. The Initiative was defeated and as a result real estate developers can operate unencumbered. For instance

Local governments won't need state approval to change their growth maps anymore unless changes would affect important state resources or facilties

State requirements that local governments or devlopers provide roads, schools and parks to accomodate new development is abolished. They also no longer need to show that the development is needed because of future growth o rthat they have a financial feasible plan to pay for future roads or infrastructure.


It will be harder for third party groups such as environmentalist and homeowners to challenge local government comprehensive plans changes in court

Local efforts to put comprehensive plan amendments to public votes are banned.

I am a registered Republican but was an adamant supporter of Hometown Democracy.

I believe the 190 page billl passed to dismantle florida's growth plan and hence allows free and perhaps irresponsible reign over future development by developers is unconstitutional.

Perhaps I am wrong and so I would like your opinions.

Rubicon, can you post a link to the story please?

Is this the story you posted about, Rubicon? I'm interested in discussing the topic, I just want to be on the same page with the same information you have.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...,2006509.story

Sorry folks I am not good at this. The article appear on the front page of the main section and continued on Page 4 of Sunday's Sept 4 th Orlando sentinel It was done by Sentinel Watchdog with the title "Records show how developers got to gut the growth rules" appaently an articlw written by Aaron Deslatte/Tallahassee Bureau chief

Hope this helps. I just got to learn how to do this

I personally would never read that rag. From what I understand, they are anti-growth and anti-The Villages. They have a campaign going on against the Morse family, too.