LWVF Offers Recommendations to Repair Campaign Finance System
Contact:
Deirdre Macnab
407-415-4559
League of Women Voters of Florida
floridaleague@earthlink.net
LWVF OFFERS RECOMMENDATIONS TO REPAIR CAMPAIGN FINANCE SYSTEM
Tallahassee, FL–As the House of Representatives addresses campaign finance reform, the League of Women Voters of Florida has sent the following letter to Speaker Will Weatherford, offering recommendations to repair Florida’s “broken and badly in need of repair” campaign financing system:
Dear Speaker Weatherford:
The League of Women Voters of Florida commends you for your willingness to take on the complex issue of campaign finance reform. The League agrees the current system of campaign financing in Florida is broken and badly in need of repair. The League disagrees, however, that raising the current limits on direct contributions to candidates is a solution to the problem and believes that doing so would further drown out the voices of Main Street Floridians who can’t give large amounts to candidates.
To add to the discussion that is taking place on campaign finance reform, LWVF would like to offer several specific ideas:
* The League recommends making substantial improvements in disclosure requirements for candidates, parties and committees, including weekly reporting of contributions and expenditures in the 60-day period before a general election and the 30-day period before a primary. The League also recommends requiring 24-hour reporting of contributions and expenditures in the week leading up to an election.
* The League recommends requiring more detailed reporting of contributions to candidates, parties and committees, including the name of the CEO of a company and the registered agent, chairperson and treasurer of a committee making a contribution. The League also recommends requiring more detailed reporting of all advertising expenditures, including the name of the candidate or issue the ad is targeting.
* The League recommends placing a reasonable limit on contributions to political parties and retaining the existing limits on expenditures from the parties to candidates and on advertising.
* The League recommends either eliminating Committees of Continuous Existence (CCEs) completely or prohibiting candidates from using them to pay for personal expenses or to evade the ban on gifts from lobbyists to legislators.
The League of Women Voters of Florida is pleased that work is under way to reform Florida’s campaign financing laws and practices. We hope you will consider the League’s recommendations in your deliberations.
Sincerely,
Deirdre Macnab
President
###
The League of Women Voters of Florida, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information, please visit the League’s website at: www.TheFloridaVoter.org.
Tweet
