Months after the Florida Legislature passed stricter ethics regulations for state lawmakers and officials, the commission charged with administering those changes is recommending further reforms. But commissioners stop short of asking for the power to initiate their own investigations.
For several years, the Florida Commission on Ethics has requested the power to open its own ethics violation investigations. But Commissioner Matt Carlucci told the House Ethics and Elections Committee Wednesday that’s not necessary this year.
“Mostly, we appreciate what you did. That was a major package of reform legislation, and you should commend yourself for that," Carlucci said.
Changes created four new avenues for complaints to reach the commission, including through the governor’s office and state attorney’s offices. It also allows the commission to garnish wages of lawmakers who don’t file financial disclosures on time. The commission is asking for the additional power to place liens on their property as well.
