In this episode: Before Ron DeSantis was elected governor of Florida, the state and some of its local communities passed a series of laws that were supposed to reduce the influence of money in politics. But DeSantis has rolled back many of those reforms — from a local ordinance that tried to keep Super PACs out of city elections to a state law that made it harder for Florida politicians to hide their donors from the public. It’s become a major legacy for DeSantis, who is now running for U.S. President: More money for politicians, and less transparency for voters.
Further reading:
Washington Post: DeSantis donor supplied golf simulator for ‘Governor’s Cabana’ and private flights
Washington Post: DeSantis agency sent $92 million in covid relief funds to donor-backed project
Florida Phoenix: New Interstate 95 interchange hurts creek but benefits Florida governor’s buddy
Florida Phoenix: Florida’s fertilizer addiction leads to ban on sales bans, roads that glow
The Regulatory Review: Red state lawmakers preempt campaign finance laws in blue cities
Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New Florida law guts contribution limits in local races in Sarasota city and county
Tallahassee Democrat: New Florida law strikes down Tallahassee contribution limits in local races
Tampa Bay Times: St. Pete tried to abolish super PACs. Jeff Brandes wants to end that.
Contact: Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com
Flood the swamp: Ron DeSantis keeps dragging Florida backwards on campaign-finance reform