FL Republican legislator pushes to scrap public financing of campaigns

[seafan]

Was it even necessary to state this buffoon's affiliation?


Lawmaker: Scrap public financing


BY GARY FINEOUT
Nov. 27, 2007

TALLAHASSEE --
Saying it is a ''frivolous'' use of taxpayer money, a GOP legislator wants to end Florida's public financing of campaigns.

Florida taxpayers paid more than $11 million in 2006 to the campaigns of Gov. Charlie Crist, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, Attorney General Bill McCollum and other candidates seeking statewide office.

But Rep. Alan Hays, a retired dentist from Umatilla, says during a time of budget shortfalls the state should be spending money on education, public safety and helping take care of children instead of bankrolling political campaigns.

''As far as I am concerned, we have no business using taxpayer dollars,'' said Hays, who wants the Legislature to place an amendment on the 2008 ballot that would repeal the current public financing system. ``Just think how much more good that $11 million could be used for if it was spent on education or rehabilitating prisoners or on foster care for children.''

Republicans, including former Gov. Jeb Bush, have derided Florida's public financing of campaigns as ''welfare for politicians.''

.....

No, Jeb. THIS is 'welfare for politicians':

Jeb Bush joins CNLBancshares board, November 16, 2007

Jeb Bush joins board at Lehman, August 23, 2007

Jeb Bush Joins the Tenet Gravy Train (To be paid ~ $37,000 a day), May 09, 2007


Didn't waste any time after leaving the Governor's Mansion in January, 2007 before sucking at some favorite 'big hairy audacious' corporate teats.







More from the lead article:

The late Gov. Lawton Chiles, a Democrat, pushed through a measure that allowed candidates to tap into the money if they abided by spending limits. Voters in 1998 added public campaign financing to the state constitution.

But while Bush refused to accept public money during his three campaigns for governor, nearly all of the candidates seeking statewide office in 2006 did. Gov. Charlie Crist received the most: $3.3 million.

Public financing was initially linked to strict limits on campaign spending. But the Republican-led Legislature, anticipating expensive races last year, changed the law so that candidates could still spend millions and millions and qualify for taxpayer help.

.....

''Unfortunately the Legislature has really perverted the intent of public financing and made it almost nonsensical,'' said Gelber, a Miami Beach Democ(r)at. ``It ought to be reformed. I think there is a bonafide public policy in it.''

Our country is bloody well self-destructing under the greasy heels of this GOP.

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. "Spent on education or rehabilitating prisoners or on foster care for children"

Much more likely, given to fat-cat GOP donors in the form of tax breaks, no-bid contracts and pork. I mean, COME ON! This is the Republick Party we are talking about!