Amendment 4 debate heating up in Central Florida

Expect those for and against Amendment 4 to be kicking campaigning into high gear by next week. 

The amendment would give voters a say on where new construction is placed.

"It's all about the voters having a seat at the table where decisions are made about future growth," said Wayne Garcia from the Yes on 4 campaign.

Currently, developers only have to worry about convincing city and county commissioners on giving the go-ahead on a new construction project.

But if Amendment 4 passes, voters will have the final say.

Garcia said some developments could ruin the natural beauty of Florida and could cost taxpayers.

"They take old citrus groves, convert it into a gigantic subdivision, everyone pays for new roads out to there, new sewers out there," Garcia sad.

Garcia also said voters should have a say on whether or not they want to foot the bill.

The proposal has come with great opposition.

"We believe it's a job killer and will hurt our economy," said Mike Horner, the president of Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce.

Horner is already putting plans in place to campaign against the amendment.

"If Amendment 4 passes, businesses are going to look elsewhere. Florida will be less attractive than other states because of this new hurdle new business will have to overcome in order to locate here," Horner said.

Opponents said this amendment will lead to litigation among business owners, the government and environmentalists.

“It's basically a massive boondoggle that creates lawsuits and bankrupts cities," Horner said.

Amendment 4 will be on the November ballot.  If it gets 60 percent of the vote, it becomes law.

Most opponents of Amendment 4 showcase St. Pete Beach as an example of why the proposed amendment won’t work.

The city has a similar bill that led to numerous lawsuits that some say financially crippled the city.

But is it really a fair comparison? Read what our partners at the St. Petersburg Times had to say about it.