Florida Legislature 2009, Day 10: ending public campaign finance and budget hearings
March 12, 2009 at 6:32 am by Jim JohnsonBy Jim Johnson
PoHo Contributor
Jim Johnson is the creator of The State of Sunshine blog.
Today is the 10th day of the 2009 Legislative session.
A financial day for the Legislature, with budget meetings all over the place. Some of the highlights:
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Florida House of Representatives |
It is a budget-filled day in the House as almost all committees meeting are those dealing with the state budget, with various agency presentations and discussions.
Rep. Tom Grady will present House Bill 483 in the Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee. The bill would let the Office of Statewide Prosecutor go after those who allegedly violate the Florida Money Laundering Act and the Florida Securities and Investor Protection Act.
The Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Committee will hear a controversial proposal by Rep. Alan Hays. The first, House Joint Resolution 81, proposes an amendment to the Florida Constitution to repeal Florida’s public campaign finance laws. The law gives some statewide candidates matching dollars if they agree to overall spending limits. State expenditures for the past four statewide election cycles have been: in excess of $11 million for 2006; $5.2 million for 2002; $915,000 for 2000; and $4.6 million for 1998.
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Florida Senate |
Like the House, the Senate appropriations committees are meeting today, with a number of agency presentations and discussions.
The Finance and Tax Committee will be taking up Florida’s sales tax exemptions. First with a presentation by Florida Tax Watch, then in a workshop among the members. (Workshops are informal discussions where no votes are taken).
The Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee will be hearing the Senate version of the amendment to repeal Florida’s public campaign finance program. Senate Joint Resolution 566 by Sen. Mike Haridopolos proposes the amendment for the 2010 ballot.
