The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce recently sent out a question and answer to its members regarding Amendment 4, otherwise known as Hometown Democracy or the “Vote on Everything” bill. The Chamber vehemently opposes the amendment because it will severely limit the ability to recruit businesses and create jobs in Northeast Florida.

The question?  Whether Amendment 4 was going to affect jobs. According to the Chamber’s response, Amendment 4 will create a major deterrence to job protection and job creation.   They site the following information in their answer.

Florida’s Agency for Workforce Innovation puts Florida’s jobless rate at 11 percent. However, Amendment 4 would drive it even higher. A study by The Washington Economics Group, Inc. (WEG) says Amendment 4 will likely cost Florida 267,247 jobs.

They also cite this quote from Professor Tony Villamil, a former economic advisor to Gov. Bush and the lead economist for WEG, who had this to say about the potential effects of passing Amendment 4:

Amendment 4’s passage will have potentially devastating consequences to Florida’s economy at a time when the economic situation at both the state and national levels is uncertain and at a time when attracting new businesses to Florida is essential for the future recovery and prosperity of the state and its residents.

Learn more about Amendment 4 on www.florida2010.org and don’t forget to make your voice heard on election day in November.