Bill by Senator Justice to Stop the Frivolous Use of Public Funds on its Way to the Governor‏

From the Senate Dems:

Local governments inappropriate spending of public funds to advocate for or against an issue will be prohibited under a measure that has passed through the Legislature. It is now on its way to the Governor’s desk for final approval.

Sponsored by Senator Charlie Justice (D- St. Petersburg), Senate Bill 216 passed 37-0 after an unsuccessful attempt by Senate Republicans to amend the bill with language that would resurrect controversial leadership funds. Leadership funds would be one more slush fund for political contributions akin to the infamous 527’s or CCE’s that Senator Justice has spent his career trying to regulate.

“Only the Florida Legislature would try to kill a good bill about campaign finance by opening it up to more unregulated campaign finance. I am proud that after three years, we have passed a good fiscally conservative bill that will protect the taxpayers money from being frivolously spent on political propaganda,” Senator Justice said.

Municipalities all over the state have waged countless campaigns fighting for and against various initiatives, often spending massive amounts of money to advocate a certain position. One instance in Volusia County pitted the cities against a county initiative to consolidate services. Ten cities poured more than $160,000 into a campaign to convince voters to defeat the initiative.

“In this rough economic time, public funds should be spent on services, education and infrastructure. Not political campaigns. I look forward to Governor Crist’s favorable support,” Senator Justice concluded.

Senate Bill 216 was sponsored by Representative Janet Long (D - St. Petersburg) in the House.