A Florida Democrat wants to impose the same fundraising restrictions legislators face each session on the state’s cabinet officials.
Rep. Evan Jenne (D-Dania Beach) believes if he and his colleagues can’t raise money, the governor, attorney general, CFO and agriculture commissioner should be cut off as well. Jenne argues cabinet officials have legislative agendas just like lawmakers, and accepting donations while bills are being crafted presents a conflict of interest.
During the 2017 session, Florida Governor Rick Scott raised about $1 million. Ag Commissioner and gubernatorial hopeful Adam Putnam more than doubled that.
And Jenne’s measure may be coming at an opportune moment. Republican House Speaker Richard Corcoran seems to be positioning himself for a gubernatorial bid of his own—approving Jenne’s bill could hamstring Putnam who already holds a big lead in fundraising.
