Florida Democrats Slam Republicans On Attempts To Revive Leadership Slush Funds

The Florida Democratic Party today slammed efforts by Republicans, including Republican Party of Florida Chairman John Thrasher, to revive leadership slush funds, while Republican politicians are getting caught using the Republican Party as nothing more than an AmEx slush fund to live large.

"Over the past year, the Republican culture of corruption in Tallahassee has been exposed, as Floridians have learned about the GOP's AmEx slush funds, secret contracts and back room deals. With even Republicans alleging that the Republican Party has been nothing more than a corrupt criminal enterprise that has allowed Republicans like Speaker Marco Rubio, disgraced Speaker Ray Sansom, and Rep. Dean Cannon to live large on other people's money, our state's leaders should be working to clean up the Republican culture of corruption in Tallahassee. Yet, as Republican politicians move to revive leadership slush funds, which were banned twenty years ago to increase accountability, Floridians see that Republicans just don't get it," said Florida Democratic Party spokesman Eric Jotkoff.

"This fall Floridians are going to elect proven Democrat leaders to clean up Tallahassee, to restore faith that our state's government is working on their behalf, and to implement ethics reforms to increase transparency and accountability in government."

Senate Democrats Call "Transparency" Sales Pitch Smoke and Mirrors

Appalled by what they see as a blatant attempt at an end run around the public’s ability to track the influence of money in elections, Senate Democrats on Tuesday condemned Republican-led attempts to steamroll legislation resurrecting so-called “leadership funds.”

“This bill opens the floodgates to special interest money and the influence it buys,” said Senator Nan Rich (D-Weston), one of three Democrats to vote against SB 880 in the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee, and the incoming Senate Democratic Leader.

At issue is the attempt by bill proponents to market the legislation as greater “transparency.” While the legislation would enact new reporting requirements for Electioneering Communication Organizations, or ECO’s, as well as show how the leaders were raising money for their resurrected leadership funds, it would concentrate an enormous amount of power into the hands of just four individuals with direct control over the legislative process.

Legislative leaders’ fundraising prowess would also mean they could force lawmakers into line on key votes by threatening the use of those funds to influence political futures.

These funds would also allow legislative leaders to skirt contributions and spending requirements within the current 10-day reporting requirement, and make them subject to only quarterly disclosure requirements.

“Under current law, we have a faster ability to track who gives the money and where it ends up,” said Senator Arthenia Joyner (D-Tampa), who also voted against the bill. “This new bill can take the money on a last-minute scenic route you’d need a GPS device to follow.”

Senator Charlie Justice (D-St. Petersburg), the third Democrat to vote ‘no’ on the bill, agreed. “The last things we need are more campaign committees and more direct involvement from legislators on these committees. More money is not the answer for what troubles Florida’s campaign finance laws.”

“This isn’t power to the people. It’s power to the leader,” said Sen. Rich. “And even as someone who’s going to be the next Democratic leader and could potentially benefit from this newfound power, this is not a direction that benefits the people or the state.”

Kendrick Meek's Drive to Qualify for Ballot by Petition Enters Final Stage: Has Collected Petitions from All 67 Counties

U.S. Senate Candidate Kendrick Meek is entering the final stage of his history-making petition drive as his campaign nears the 112,476 signature threshold to qualify for the ballot. While most candidates simply write a check to get on the ballot, he will be the first statewide Florida candidate to qualify for the ballot by petition.

"Our petition drive is all about hard work and not taking the easy route. During these trying times, I am meeting with Floridians in their homes, at our neighborhood community centers and places of business. Everywhere I go, people are rejecting status quo politicians who cater to the powerful and have never rolled up their sleeves and worked a little harder to get things done. This petition effort has taken me throughout this state, and as we work hard to collect petitions from every Florida county, we will continue reaching out to everyday Floridians who have real concerns about their future," said Kendrick Meek, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.

The Kendrick Meek for Florida Campaign is fast approaching the 112,476 petition threshold to qualify for the ballot. The Meek campaign has collected petitions in each of Florida's 67 counties with field staff stationed across the state.

Meek kicked-off his petition drive in April 2009. He last led a petition drive in 2002, collecting petitions from Florida voters allowing for an amendment to be placed on the ballot lowering class sizes in Florida's overcrowded classrooms. The petition effort was ultimately successful, and in turn Floridians voted to lower class sizes in November 2002.

Weekly Word - HYPOCRITE

From Jim Piccillo:

Greetings Friends and Supporters!

Thank you for taking a moment to read The Jim Piccillo for Congress campaign's Weekly Word. It's been an incredible week for the campaign and national politics. We hope you find the content of this newsletter useful and informative. Again, if we didn't address an area you are interested in, please call or email us. Your feedback is important to us! Click here to join the team.

On the Money

We are in the final stretch of the first quarter, which ends March 31st, and are diligently working toward our critical goal of raising $100,000 this quarter. Now is the time t0 donate; we need your support today! Please click here to help us reach this crucial milestone.

Jim and our team members have been busy on the phones, reaching out to supporters across the country, to show that this race MUST receive national attention and the seat be delivered back to the Democrats in November. The incumbent is heavily funded by greedy insurance and banking industry PACs. Take a look at her financial reports on the FEC website to see who she truly represents; it's crystal clear.

Community Outreach

Since our last 'Word', Team Piccillo has been attending events and continuing to spread the message of Common Sense for Congress. Last weekend, we had the privilege of addressing the Southwest Citrus Democrat Club and received a very warm response as well as many signed petitions. After our visit to Citrus County, we spent several hours in Hernando County at the annual Swamp Fest. Jim had the opportunity to speak with voters, hear their concerns, answer questions and get additional petitions signed! Jim will continue to tour the District, visiting with as many organizations, companies, businesses and Clubs over the course of the next eight months as possible, so he can learn what issues most affect the people of the 5th District.

This Saturday the 13th, Team Piccillo will be marching in the Zephyrhills Founder's Day Parade! Supporting victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is very important to us. That being said, the team will be walking with the Sunrise Center of Pasco County in their "Walk A Mile In Her Shoes" group in a show of solidarity to raise awareness about gender violence. Jim Piccillo will be wearing heels, so that he can truly feel what it's like to walk a mile in a ladies shoes. Come out and walk with us for this worthy cause! Visit www.sunrisepasco.org to learn more.

Weekly Word: Pressing Issue

Just when you think you've heard, and seen, it all something happens that is just so shocking it stops you in your tracks. This is the pressing issue of this last week that had us all stunned. The incumbent in Florida's 5th District, "Ginny" Brown-Waite, this past week voted AGAINST the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act. This bill provides incentives to small businesses to hire people who are currently unemployed. While the partisan aspect of it is not surprising to any of us, the fact that she just a few weeks ago stated, "Government doesn't create jobs; small businesses do" and then voted against a bill that would help small businesses create jobs is what floored us. How completely hypocritical!

With an unemployment average of 14% in her District, it is unfathomable that she would vote against a measure that might actually HELP her constituents. After all, she's held a government created job for decades, she thinks she has job security. Click here to help us send this hypocrite packing!

Spreading the Message

We MUST continue the fight to lift the 5th District in Florida back to the glory of the good old days; significantly lower unemployment, generate small business growth and ensure stability to those who have been hardest hit by these tough economic times. The time to get involved is NOW. The most important part of any campaign is the people who volunteer. Sign up to contribute, canvass, phone bank, send literature and spread the word by sending this email to five (5) people you know. Walk with Jim side-by-side on this journey. Please visit jimpiccillo.com to sign up to contribute, host a house party or just volunteer your time to help bring common sense back to Congress.

Yours in service,
Team Piccillo

State Representative Janet Cruz Hits The Ground Running

Newly elected State Representative Janet Cruz (D-Tampa) has completed her first week in office as the newest member of the Florida Legislature. Since her special election victory on February 23, Representative Cruz has hired staff, opened her district office, filed all six of her allotted bills, received her committee assignments, met with her constituents, and traveled to Tallahassee for the Opening Day Session of the Florida Legislature where she was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente.

“I basically had to accomplish in one week in Tallahassee what might normally take four months,” said Representative Cruz.

Representative Cruz will have her work cut out for her over the next two months as lawmakers grapple with the State’s budget and legislation aimed at revitalizing Florida’s sluggish economy.

“I don’t plan to let up until we bring much needed-relief to Florida’s citizens who are struggling with this economic turmoil,” she said.

Representative Janet Cruz’s 2010 Committee Assignments
Elder & Family Services Policy Committee
Government Operations Appropriations Committee
Governmental Affairs Policy Committee

Representative Janet Cruz’s 2010 Bills
HB 925 Breast Cancer Early Detection and Treatment Referral Program
HB 1493 Career Offenders
HB 1495 Consumer Protection
HB 1497 Civil Citations
HB 1603 Florida State Employees' Charitable Campaign
HB 1623 Employment Discrimination

Thurman Demands Accountability By Filing Election Commission Complaint Against Republican Party of Florida

Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman filed a complaint today with the Florida Elections Commission, asking the Commission to hold the Republican Party of Florida accountable for not fully disclosing their finances as required by Florida law.

"With Governor Charlie Crist and Attorney General Bill McCollum ducking their responsibilities in order to protect their political cronies and keep their backroom deals at the Republican Party secret, it is now up to all Floridians to demand accountability to clean up the Republican culture of corruption in Tallahassee. Today, I asked the Florida Elections Commission to investigate the fact that the Republican Party of Florida has failed to follow Florida's election laws by not fully disclosing their finances," said Chair Thurman.

Over the past year, the Republican Party of Florida has been marred by scandal and controversy over a host of issues that stem from the misuse of RPOF AmEx cards issued to dozens of Republican politicians including U.S. Senate Candidate Marco Rubio, Republican Speaker-designate Dean Cannon, Senate President Jeff Atwater, and many others.

Despite repeated calls from Florida's Editorial Boards, Republican Party leaders, and citizens across Florida, the RPOF has refused to disclose their AmEx statements.

This scandal has played a major role in the indictment and later the resignation of disgraced Speaker Ray Sansom, as well as the ouster to Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer. As Sansom's mentor, Marco Rubio is one of the many Republican leaders who have been wounded by this scandal, when his RPOF AmEx card statements were leaked to the Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times, showing Rubio used the GOP's credit card to pay for a $134 haircut, to fix his families mini-van and other personal expenses.

The Republican Party of Florida's skirting of campaign finance laws appear to be an attempt to hide the secret deals, excessive spending, and the millions of dollars Republican politicians charged to the Republican Party AmEx slush fund, which they used to live large on other people's money. Had the RPOF followed Florida's campaign finance laws for instance, the secret contract with former RPOF Executive Director Delmar Johnson would have been discovered even earlier.

Specifically Thurman's complaints against the RPOF, former Chairman Jim Greer, and Treasurer Joel Pate states:

Section 106.29, Florida Statutes, requires that the state executive committee and each county executive committee of each political party regulated by Chapter 103, Florida Statutes, shall file regular reports with the Division of Elections of all contributions received and all expenditures made by such committee.

The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) has failed to include all contributions and all expenditures on reports that it has filed with the Division of Elections.

The RPOF failed to include on its reports filed with the Division of Elections contributions and expenditures that are included on reports filed with the Federal Elections Commission. Florida law contains no exemption permitting the RPOF to exclude from its reports filed with contributions and expenditures included on reports filed with the Federal Elections Commission; nor is the language of Section 106.29, Florida Statutes, limited

In the current cycle, the RPOF has reported to the Federal Elections Commission receiving $6,481,469 and expending $6,896,984. In the 2007-2008, election cycle, the RPOF has reported to the Federal Elections Commission receiving $34,416,232 and expending $34,434,621. [See attached Federal Election Commission summary reports for 2007-2008 and 2009-2010.] These contributions and expenditures have not been included on its reports of all contributions received and all expenditures made as required by Section 106.29, Florida Statutes, that are filed with Division of Elections.

Included herewith are copies of the RPOF state reports from April 2007 forward and federal reports from 2008 forward.

The RPOF, its chairman and its treasurer, have violated Section 106.29(1), Florida Statutes, by failing to file reports with the Division of Elections of all contributions received and all expenditures made by the RPOF.

The RPOF, its chairman and its treasurer, have violated Section 106.19(1)(b), Florida Statutes, by failing to report contributions required to be reported by Chapter 106, Florida Statutes.

The RPOF, its chairman and its treasurer, have violated Section 106.19(1)(c), Florida Statutes, by failing to include information in its campaign treasurer reports filed with Division of Elections required by Chapter 106, Florida Statutes.

The two faces of transparency

From Loranne Ausley:

Floridians are witnessing the height of two-faced hypocrisy.

The first face…The face they want you to see: The leaders of the Republican Party of Florida rail on about public accountability, responsibility, and transparency.

The second face…The face they try to hide: These same so-called leaders have been knee-deep in the cover up of campaign expenditures; expenditures that are governed by state law and supposed to be used for very specific purposes. The excuses for a blatant lack of transparency and accountability run the gamut from “not my job” to “not my card.”



How can anyone claim the mantle of public watchdog when they are unwilling to take a strong stand on hidden contracts, outrageous expenditures, lavish spending and irresponsible use of campaign dollars?

How can anyone speak about a “record of integrity” while, at the same time, be in the middle of a massive cover up within their own ranks.

All of our leaders, Republican and Democrats, need to have one face when it comes to transparency, public spending and the misuse of campaign dollars.

If you are looking for a leader who will watch every penny – and every dollar – and tell it to you straight, look no further. If you are fed up with the games being played in the Capitol and are ready for a candidate who understands that transparency starts with our own accounts, you have found the right campaign. My record of standing up for Florida taxpayers is strong – and it is consistent.

When I say “transparent,” I mean it. When I say “responsible and accountable,” I mean it. And, when I say I will fight to protect every one of your dollars, I mean that too!

Please join us today and help put an end to two-faced politicians, join our team today by making even a small donation of $10, $25, or $100 dollars.

Thank you,

Loranne Ausley

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