The strangulation of Florida”

St. Petersburg Times: Florida is well on its way to strangling itself, and it might just finish the job next year. If that sounds too pessimistic, look at what's headed toward the November 2010 ballot:

• The Legislature just put on the ballot a constitutional amendment that would lower the cap on the increase in annual assessments of nonhomestead property to 5 percent. That's not a big deal now, but it will be when property values start rising again. This same amendment also creates a new, temporary tax exemption for first-time home buyers — creating the illusion that they can afford more house than their income allows. Isn't having champagne tastes on a beer budget how we got into the current economic mess?
• Hometown Democracy announced last week the state has verified enough signatures to get its amendment on the ballot that would require local governments to seek voter approval for local land use changes. This is killing a fly with a sledgehammer, and it would stall development just as the economy is trying to revive.
• Sen. Mike Haridopolis, R-Indialantic, will again push lawmakers next year to put on the ballot a plan to cap state and local revenues to essentially population growth plus inflation. It would require a voter referendum to go above the cap. Haridopolis is in line to be the next Senate president, so don't discount his chances of getting this draconian measure on the ballot.
• Take these three amendments and tie them to the existing tangle of development rules and tax policy. The knot around Florida would be tight enough to choke this state to death. There would be no wiggle room, no opportunities for investment in the future — and no easy way out.

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