Voters could decide campaign spending
TALLAHASSEE (AP) – Voters in 2010 will get a chance to decide whether to stop using taxpayer money on campaigns for governor and the Cabinet after the Florida Senate voted 29-11 Thursday to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
The House approved the amendment on Monday.
“Why would we be spending tens of millions of taxpayer money when obviously anyone running statewide is going to be able to get the resources,” said Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne and one of the sponsors of the amendment. “If we are making a choice between education, health care or campaigns, it’s a no-brainer.”
At least 60 percent of voters must approve the amendment for it to take effect.
Florida has had public financing of statewide campaigns for more than 20 years – and voters placed it in the constitution in 1998. Florida is one of 16 states that have full or partial public financing for campaigns.
Most candidates for statewide office have taken the money, with the notable exception of former Gov. Jeb Bush, who derided it as “welfare for politicians.” Florida’s taxpayers spent $11.1 million on campaigns during the 2006 election, when Gov. Charlie Crist was elected. Crist himself got $3.3 million for his campaign.
In order for candidates to be eligible for the money, however, they must agree to spending limits. Republicans in 2005 increased the spending limits, causing the cost to shoot up by $6 million.
Many Democrats opposed the proposed amendment (HJR 81), saying it would hurt the ability of some candidates to run for office. They said it was Republicans’ fault that the cost had increased.
“There has not been an outcry to repeal this,” said Sen. Nan Rich, D-Sunrise. “The people voted for this. It’s wrong to send it back.”
While voters would not get a chance to repeal public financing for good until next year, lawmakers are this week are expected to approve a separate bill (SB 564) that would lower how much money is spent during the 2010 election. The Senate approved it 34-3 on Thursday.
Candidates for governor would have to agree to cap their spending at $7 million to qualify for public money – as opposed to the $20 million spending limit four years earlier. Crist himself is weighing whether to bypass the governor’s race and run for the U.S. Senate. If Crist does not run for re-election, other politicians such as Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink or Attorney General Bill McCollum may run for governor.