September 21, 2016 •
Appeals Court Rules Against Ballot Measure in Miami-Dade County, FL
With the court battle over for the time being, a ballot issue affecting campaign finance and ethics laws in Miami-Dade County will not appear on the ballot this November. Earlier this month, the county appealed a circuit court’s order requiring […]
With the court battle over for the time being, a ballot issue affecting campaign finance and ethics laws in Miami-Dade County will not appear on the ballot this November.
Earlier this month, the county appealed a circuit court’s order requiring the measure be placed on the ballot. The 3rd District Court of Appeal reversed the lower court this week, stating the County Commission acted within its authority to block the measure after determining it was not sufficient.
The appeals court left open the possibility of a challenge of the commission’s conclusion. An Accountable Miami-Dade, however, issued a statement following the ruling vowing to continue the fight in a future election.
September 12, 2016 •
County Court Orders Miami-Dade Proposal Placed on November Ballot
A judge has ordered a campaign finance ballot measure be placed on the ballot in November. After the County Commission rejected the proposal for containing legally insufficient language, An Accountable Miami-Dade filed a petition for a writ of mandamus last […]
A judge has ordered a campaign finance ballot measure be placed on the ballot in November. After the County Commission rejected the proposal for containing legally insufficient language, An Accountable Miami-Dade filed a petition for a writ of mandamus last week.
The political committee asked the court to force the County Commission, the Mayor, and the Supervisor of Elections to place the measure on the ballot. Circuit Court Judge William Thomas granted the petition, stating the group met all of the requirements to get a proposal on the ballot, including gathering nearly 130,000 signatures.
The County has appealed the ruling and a hearing has been set for next week before the Third District Court of Appeal.
If successfully passed, the measure will reduce the campaign contribution limit from $1,000 to $250 and ban vendors, their lobbyists, and immediate family members from contributing to county candidates.
September 12, 2016 •
Broward County Hospital System Launches Website for Lobbyist Registration
Broward Health, the county’s hospital system, has implemented its decade-old lobbyist registration policy through a new website. The website contains information about the policy, registration procedures, and expenditure reporting. Lobbyists engaged to lobby the North Broward Hospital District, its Board […]
Broward Health, the county’s hospital system, has implemented its decade-old lobbyist registration policy through a new website. The website contains information about the policy, registration procedures, and expenditure reporting.
Lobbyists engaged to lobby the North Broward Hospital District, its Board of Commissioners, or its employees must register with the Vice President for Government Relations prior to engaging in lobbying. There is a registration fee of $40 for each client represented and registrations must be renewed by July 1 each year. Registered lobbyists must also file an annual statement of expenditures by July 30, covering July 1 of the prior year through June 30.
The policy also outlines requirements for lobbyist hired to represent the Hospital District before certain state, county, and local government units.
More information regarding lobbyist policies and procedures is available on Broward Health’s website at https://app.browardhealth.org/lobbyist.
August 3, 2016 •
Miami-Dade, FL Group Seeks to Reign in Money in County Elections
A political committee called An Accountable Miami-Dade is sponsoring a proposal to change campaign finance rules for county elections. The proposal would limit contributions to candidates to $250, rather than the state-set limit of $1,000, and county vendors and lobbyists […]
A political committee called An Accountable Miami-Dade is sponsoring a proposal to change campaign finance rules for county elections.
The proposal would limit contributions to candidates to $250, rather than the state-set limit of $1,000, and county vendors and lobbyists would be prohibited from making contributions. A system of matching contributions with public funds would also be created.
The group delivered 125,000 signed petitions to the county clerk of courts. If enough are verified, the county commission will decide whether to adopt the measure or to place it on the ballot. The proposed changes would not take effect until the next county election cycle.
July 22, 2016 •
St. Petersburg, FL Councilwoman Looking to Ban Super PACs
St. Petersburg Councilwoman Darden Rice will introduce a proposed ordinance to abolish super PACs and ensure foreign money stays out of city elections. The ordinance would establish limits for independent expenditure committees and would require corporations contributing money to local […]
St. Petersburg Councilwoman Darden Rice will introduce a proposed ordinance to abolish super PACs and ensure foreign money stays out of city elections.
The ordinance would establish limits for independent expenditure committees and would require corporations contributing money to local elections to certify they are not influenced by foreign entities.
Rice hopes the ordinance will act as a model for similar laws around the country, potentially leading to a legal challenge. This could give the U.S. Supreme Court an opportunity to reconsider Citizens United.
July 12, 2016 •
Florida Congresswoman Indicted on Ethics Charges
U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown has been indicted on 22 federal charges, including fraud and conspiracy. Brown, who represents the state’s 5th Congressional District, is accused of using a fake charity to solicit contributions and using those funds for personal gain. […]
U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown has been indicted on 22 federal charges, including fraud and conspiracy.
Brown, who represents the state’s 5th Congressional District, is accused of using a fake charity to solicit contributions and using those funds for personal gain. Investigators claim nearly $200,000 in charity funds were used to pay for events held by Brown and to pay taxes she owed.
If convicted, Brown could face up to 300 years in prison.
June 30, 2016 •
Florida’s Broward Health System Implementing Lobbyist Registration Policy
Broward Health, the county’s hospital system, is currently creating an online lobbyist registration system to coincide with its recently discovered registration policy. The policy, created 12 years ago, was never implemented and came to light only after months of discussions […]
Broward Health, the county’s hospital system, is currently creating an online lobbyist registration system to coincide with its recently discovered registration policy.
The policy, created 12 years ago, was never implemented and came to light only after months of discussions by the board of commissioners on how to create such a policy.
The policy requires lobbyists to identify their clients, disclose the nature of their business activities, and report any business or financial relationships with Broward Health board members. The online system will be modeled after those of Broward County and Broward Public Schools.
May 19, 2016 •
Ethics Law Changes May Appear on November Ballot in Miami-Dade County
A group of current and past politicians have announced an initiative to strengthen ethics laws in Miami-Dade County. The group, named An Accountable Miami-Dade, is leading the charge to place a measure on the November ballot. The measure would strengthen […]
A group of current and past politicians have announced an initiative to strengthen ethics laws in Miami-Dade County.
The group, named An Accountable Miami-Dade, is leading the charge to place a measure on the November ballot. The measure would strengthen enforcement of existing campaign finance laws, create pay-to-play restrictions on large contractors, create a ban on gifts from lobbyists, and institute a $250 per-election contribution limit to mayoral and commission candidates.
An Accountable Miami-Dade is headed by Monica Russo, president of the SEUI Florida Council, and Bettina Rodriguez, a former mayor of Doral. It also includes several local officeholders and party leaders.
March 14, 2016 •
Florida Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Florida Legislature adjourned its regular session sine die as scheduled on March 11, 2016. The session was a display of bipartisan cooperation, netting an $82 billion budget, and stood in stark contrast to last year where a bitter fight […]
The Florida Legislature adjourned its regular session sine die as scheduled on March 11, 2016.
The session was a display of bipartisan cooperation, netting an $82 billion budget, and stood in stark contrast to last year where a bitter fight over the budget led to multiple special sessions. The new budget was passed by a vote of 159 to 1.
January 21, 2016 •
Hillsborough Co., Florida Commissioners Approve More Comprehensive Lobbyist Registration Requirements
County commissioners, by a unanimous vote, approved an ordinance requiring lobbyists to register and pay a yearly $50 fee. Under the previous law, lobbyists simply had to sign a registry each time they appeared to lobby. The new law requires […]
County commissioners, by a unanimous vote, approved an ordinance requiring lobbyists to register and pay a yearly $50 fee. Under the previous law, lobbyists simply had to sign a registry each time they appeared to lobby.
The new law requires the lobbyist to declare who they represent, what topics they will be discussing, and with whom they are meeting. The ordinance also increases the fines for violations and increases the time lobbying privileges are suspended for repeat offenders. The definition of lobbying is also expanded to include indirect communication through emails or text messages.
The county will hold training for lobbyists in August covering the changes.
January 19, 2016 •
Florida Senate Advances Lobbyist Disclosure Changes
A bill seeking to increase lobbyist disclosure advanced in committee in the Florida state senate. Senate Bill 686, if passed, will require lobbyists to report on a monthly basis the bills and amendments they are attempting to influence. This would […]
A bill seeking to increase lobbyist disclosure advanced in committee in the Florida state senate. Senate Bill 686, if passed, will require lobbyists to report on a monthly basis the bills and amendments they are attempting to influence. This would include listing the specific bar code the legislature uses to track amendments.
The bill still has several hurdles to clear before reaching the Senate floor, including three more committees.
December 14, 2015 •
Broward County Commissioners Vote to Loosen Ethics Rules
Commissioners, by a count of 5-4, voted to loosen the strict gift limits imposed by the county ethics ordinance. Enacted in 2010, the ordinance created a no-gift rule, prohibiting city and county officials from accepting even a bottle of water […]
Commissioners, by a count of 5-4, voted to loosen the strict gift limits imposed by the county ethics ordinance. Enacted in 2010, the ordinance created a no-gift rule, prohibiting city and county officials from accepting even a bottle of water at an event.
The new rules allow gifts, including non-alcoholic beverages, worth less than $5 and create an exception for gifts of sympathy. Other changes include the burden of reporting lobbying contact shifting away from the public official to the lobbyist and immediate family members may now act as government vendors.
Proponents lauded the changes, stating the zero-tolerance rules created a trap whereby government officials and employees could inadvertently violate the code.
November 6, 2015 •
Florida Legislature Adjourns Special Session Early; Still No Senate District Map
After multiple attempts, and multiple special sessions, the Florida Legislature adjourned the third special session of the year on November 5, 2015 without reaching a redistricting agreement for the state senate. The adjournment came a day earlier than expected after […]
After multiple attempts, and multiple special sessions, the Florida Legislature adjourned the third special session of the year on November 5, 2015 without reaching a redistricting agreement for the state senate. The adjournment came a day earlier than expected after the two chambers reached an impasse on the latest version of the map.
Now a Tallahassee Circuit Court judge will likely choose a map from drafts submitted throughout the process. This latest roadblock has renewed calls for an independent commission to handle redrawing the map.
Photo of the Old and New Florida State Capitols by Infrogmation on Wikimedia Commons.
October 16, 2015 •
Miami-Dade Ethics Commission Backs Miami Beach Campaign Finance Ordinance
The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust gave its support for a proposed City of Miami Beach ordinance amending campaign finance rules. The ordinance, if passed, would prohibit the mayor and city commissioners, as well as candidates for those […]
The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust gave its support for a proposed City of Miami Beach ordinance amending campaign finance rules. The ordinance, if passed, would prohibit the mayor and city commissioners, as well as candidates for those offices, from soliciting contributions on behalf of PACs donating to city candidates. The change would be in addition to the prohibition on city vendors, lobbyists, and real estate developers from making contributions.
The proposed amendment, from Commissioner Jonah Wolfson, is in response to an investigation into $1.5 million raised by a PAC established by Wolfson and Mayor Philip Levine. The contributions were from local businesses and lobbyists.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.