Under fire from some legislators for asking for contributions to the state party before handing out committee assignments, House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands was put on the defensive today by a story in the Palm Beach Post. He issued a detailed response today in which he said he regrets any misunderstanding.

Leader Sands, along with other caucus members who helped him develop committee assignment recommendations, stated in an interview that the recommendations were based on an array of considerations --- the least of which involved any legislator’s activity with political party business.

Rather, the factors that Sands and other caucus members said that they primarily considered in making their recommendations for committee assignments included (but were not limited to): member requests, legislator’s familiarity and interest in a policy area, prior service and experience in a committee, the number of allowed Democratic member slots on a given committee, and a caucus member’s overall activity and interest in working on behalf of the caucus.

Although it was communicated to members that a caucus member's
contributions to the party was to be one of many factors in committee
recommendations, it was, in practice, of very little consequence.

Sands responded to the Palm Beach Post story by saying:

    “I deeply regret if any legislator, or any citizen, is left with an impression that party fundraising activities or political donations would ever have been a quid pro quo for obtaining committee assignment recommendations to Speaker Sansom.

    “I understand the importance of separating political functions from legislative business. I am committed to leading a caucus that will conduct itself in an ethical manner.

    “I am eager to work with my fellow Democratic Caucus members, Governor Charlie Crist and Republican legislative leaders, in addressing the important policy and financial challenges facing state government and all Floridians.”

Mary Ellen Klas

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