Local FL Governments Sue Over SB 360

Gov. Crist appears richly rewarded for selling us out with SB 260, the so-called Community Renewal Act, reports St. Petersburg Times columnist Howard Troxler in "Crist Signs Bad Growth Bill, Is Punished with $4.3 million in Campaign Contributions" That's more than ten times what his Republican opponent, Marc Rubio, has raised for his Senate run.

"Like young Anakin Skywalker, " Troxler muses, "Crist has learned that the Dark Side has its rewards. He should start dressing in black and breathing heavily."

The Force may be with us though. Eight local governments, including Weston and Deerfield Beach, filed suit in Leon County Circuit Court in Tallahassee to block the law (Cities sue to block lawmakers' growth management repeal), saying it's an unfunded mandate on local governments.

The suit hinges on two major points:

(1) The law is in violation of a state Constitutional law requiring "single subject" laws, since it includes language about affordable housing and the regulation of security cameras.

(2) It forces forces Florida cities and counties to spend money they don't have, and that the Legislature won't given them, to comply with the new law, creating an unConstitutional "unfundated mandate."

Wonder if Crist has to give his nearly half billion back if the lawsuit is successful?