Amendment 2 Makes National Worst List

ST. PETERSBURG - Florida's Amendment 2 was featured today in a national report detailing the best and worst statewide initiatives on the 2008 ballot.

"It's not surprising that Amendment 2 made this national list given the far-reaching negative consequences it could have on Florida families, especially our large senior population" said Mark Ferrulo, Executive Director for Progress Florida.

"Progress or Peril: The Best and Worst 2008 Ballot Initiatives" details seven initiatives that promise "progress" and eleven that risk "peril" for residents of ten states. The report was co-authored by Progressive Future and Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, and is available at www.ProgressiveFuture.org/progress-or-peril.

According to the report, if passed, Amendment 2 would "eliminate legal domestic partnership benefits and legal protections," placing domestic partnership benefits offered by municipalities, universities and Fortune 500 companies in Florida at risk.

Report authors noted that November's national elections are just the beginning, and that voters will make many decisions--some just as critical--lower down the ballot. Twenty-four states feature statewide initiatives or referenda on their ballots.

"A lot is at stake on state ballots this year," said Adam Lioz, Progressive Future Program Director and report co-author. "We can expand personal freedom and trust individuals to make deeply personal decisions about their own lives, or we can allow government intrusion to creep into our states' constitutions."

“Voters in 2008 are clamoring for change, but some of the most important and controversial laws in this country aren’t made by politicians," said Kristina Wilfore, Executive Director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center. "This year's ballot measures present voters with an opportunity to vote directly on laws that will determine significant changes in state policy.”

"Amendment 2 does nothing to protect marriage, but it would jeopardize important benefits and protections that Florida families are reliant upon now more than ever," added Ferrulo.

For more information on Amendment 2, click here. Progress Florida's ballot guide provides recommendations on all the proposed constitutional amendments on the state ballot.

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Progress Florida is a non-profit, statewide organization supporting progressive solutions for Florida. Visit us at www.ProgressFlorida.org.

Progressive Future promotes progressive values through grassroots action. Its mission is to build and mobilize grassroots support, both online and in neighborhoods throughout America, for progressive change. This fall, Progressive Future is running several field programs to engage citizens in the upcoming election. To learn more, visit www.ProgressiveFuture.org.

Ballot Initiative Strategy Center is the nerve center for progressive ballot initiative campaigns across the country. As voters across the country prepare to go to the polls, the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center's website, www.ballot.org, is the most comprehensive, up to date and user friendly place for information on ballot initiative campaigns.