A measure in the Florida constitution that has funneled nearly $22 million in taxpayer money to statewide political candidates in the past 10 years is the target of a lawsuit from Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott.

Scott is asking a federal judge to throw out Florida’s public financing law, saying it has “significantly chilled” his First Amendment rights.

Scott has spent $21 million on his campaign since April 9, which means he’s drawing perilously close to the $24.9 million trigger on the state’s so-called Millionaire’s Amendment. Scott’s political opponents will be eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match from the state for whatever Scott spends beyond that limit.

Republican lawmakers support repealing the measure. Sen. Mike Haridopolos, who is supporting Scott’s primary opponent, Bill McCollum, helped write the constitutional amendment on the November ballot (Amendment 1) that asks voters to reverse their 1998 decision to put it into the state constitution.

The public financing law, which has been in state law since 1986, was intended to eliminate an advantage for wealthy candidates. But the rise of so-called 527 groups has created a way for candidates to circumvent the state law.

Scott opened a 527, which is a political committee regulated by IRS codes, which he can pour money into without having to count against the state cap. (He’s put $2 million there, plus some large donations from Palm Beach connections.)

McCollum is affiliated with at least two 527 groups. Democrat Alex Sink has one. Independent candidate Bud Chiles does, too.

All told, 25 candidates for statewide office or the state legislature are raising money for 527 committees.

More here.

Tags: 527s, campaign finance, Constitutional Amendments, Rick Scott

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