Florida Realtors® Laud Voters for Defeat of Amendment 4

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Nov 02, 2010, 09:45 ET

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Across Florida, voters went to the polls on Election Day and decisively rejected Amendment 4, the anti-growth measure that would have required voter approval for all changes to local comprehensive land use plans.

"We thank Florida voters for taking action to protect the future of our great state," says 2010 Florida Realtors® President Wendell Davis, a broker with Watson Realty Corp. in Jacksonville. "Along with more than 300 diverse organizations, Realtors® spread the word about the dangerous consequences of Amendment 4. Clearly, Floridians are committed to protecting jobs, preserving personal property rights and protecting our economy."

Unlike most ballot initiatives, Floridians have been debating Amendment 4 for the better part of a decade – since it was first drafted in 2003. A number of business, labor, civic and planning groups, along with concerned citizens, banded together to oppose Amendment 4 and form the coalition, Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy.

"Voters overwhelmingly agree that one of Florida's most important economic sectors should not be held hostage," says Ryan Houck, executive director of Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy. "Floridians recognized Amendment 4 for what it was—a costly, job-killing anti-growth measure that would have driven our state deeper into recession."

Adds John Sebree, Florida Realtors vice president of public policy: "Florida Realtors were unified in their opposition to Amendment 4 unlike anything I have ever witnessed. The grassroots power of Realtors is well known across Florida and across the country, but Realtors went above and beyond in this campaign. I have never seen our members so engaged to defeat an issue – they were passionately committed to educating their fellow citizens about the dangerous no-growth interests behind this measure.

"Realtors became a leading voice in their communities on the negative impact Amendment 4 would have had on our entire state. By standing together with Floridians from all walks of life, we made a huge difference."

Florida Realtors®, formerly known as the Florida Association of Realtors®, serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 115,000 members in 67 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Media Center website is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org.

SOURCE Florida Realtors