The Florida House just voted along party lines (just try and guess which party voted in favor) to essentially "enhance fund-raising abilities" of top lawmakers of both parties.
The vote was 81-39.
All in the name of...."transparency."
From the Palm Beach Post:
Leadership funds were banned 20 years ago by Florida lawmakers following newspaper reports drawing links between legislation approved and cash flowing into accounts controlled by party leaders.
The new proposal would allow legislative leaders from both parties to continue raising unlimited amounts of campaign cash. But instead of pouring the funds into the state party as is the current practice, the leaders would get control under the proposal.
Supporters say the new step will result in more disclosure, because the leadership funds would be subject to campaign reporting requirements.
“This is not a revival of the past. This is something new,” said Majority Leader Carlos Lopez Cantera, R-Miami.
But Rep. Gwyn Clarke-Reed, D-Pompano Beach, said, “Can you tell me how this does not look like corruption?”
It overrides a veto by former Gov. Charlie Crist and is expected to be followed in the Senate this afternoon.
Yes, I guess Florida really is open for business, in more ways than one.
