TALLAHASSEE — The Republican-dominated Florida House pushed through legislation Thursday that allows legislative leaders to raise unlimited dollars from special interests, rejecting a dozen Democratic amendments aimed at limiting the influence of money in politics.
The measure (HB1207) is part of a 60-page overhaul of campaign finance rules that revives unrestricted "leadership funds," which were outlawed 20 years ago amid the perception of "pay to play" politics.
Republicans labeled the bill a "transparency and accountability," bill but Democrats called it hypocrisy after GOP lawmakers voted as a bloc (73-42) against provisions to limit contributions and require more financial disclosure. The majority party then tweaked the House rules to rush the bill to the Senate, which is expected to sign off early next week.
"This bill and what happened on this bill is why people don't trust government and they are disgusted," said Rep. Janet Long, a St. Petersburg Democrat.
One proposal hit close to home for the GOP, whose former leaders and lawmakers are mired in controversy about using party credit cards to live lavishly. It came to light earlier this week that state Rep. Chris Dorworth, a future House speaker, spent nearly $2,000 from a party American Express card at a ritzy Las Vegas casino in October, despite his own personal financial troubles.
Democrats wanted to make the leadership funds, now known as Affiliated Party Committees, disclose line-item credit card purchases, but Republicans shot it down.
State Rep. Ron Saunders, a leading Key West Democrat, said the legislation is designed to correct the GOP problems. This led to a few bitter partisan exchanges that prompted a warning from the speaker's dais. "The problem is they had a chair who liked to spend money," Saunders said, referring to former Republican Party chairman Jim Greer.
The bill sponsor, state Rep. Seth McKeel, a Lakeland Republican, said it would add transparency because the legislative fundraising accounts currently held by the party aren't disclosed.
But the leadership funds would file reports on the same schedule as the party, which is less often than the current lawmaker-controlled committees which must report 10 days after a transaction.
"This is a joke," said state Rep. Scott Randolph, D-Orlando. "You can drive a Mack truck through campaign finance" in Florida.
John Frank can be reached at jfrank@sptimes.com or (850) 224-7263.
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