Will the courts lift Florida’s campaign contribution limit next?
by Michael C. Bender | August 5th, 2010Florida will not appeal a federal court decision that removed spending restraints from Republican Rick Scott’s already record-breaking gubernatorial campaign, a Florida Secretary of State spokeswoman said Wednesday, leaving further appeals to Scott’s political rivals.
But some experts said the state’s decision to acknowledge problems with its taxpayer-funded campaign finance program could also expose Florida’s $500 contribution limit — already the lowest in the country — to a similar challenge.
“I’m surprised there hasn’t been a challenge already,” said University of Florida political science professor Clifford A. Jones, a campaign finance law expert.
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August 5th, 2010 at 11:08 am
This little $500. limit thing is just an incovenience to these political eperts! th ecorporations just use friends and families to give their corrupticans $500. each for as much as it takes to buy him. Career politicians like McCollum just get their crooked friends to fund a 527 and spend all they want too! When a politician like Bill McCollum can give $250 million Of our Florida Retirement funds to his crooked NYC friends to invest in and lose in Peter Cooper Village Thats all right because it covered by the lected official stupidity act! But how dare a businessman fight government bureacracy pay a fine instead of being total devoured by the government! Career Politicians see nothing wrong with stealing our money and calling it theirs!
August 5th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
whoever told you that the 500 is next to go ain’t too bright. The Supreme Court has made it abundantly clear in Davis and other cases considered. A limit across the board is better than limits on just the wealthy. “He said Florida’s $500 limit is “even more questionable” because it applies to all candidates, not just those who participate in public financing.” That’s the precise reason why it won’t be challenged or can’t be struck. (unless its indispensable from other section) In florida, severance is preferred. its not discriminatory…and its merely a “time place manner” measure which is ok if “substantially related to important gov’t interest” (appearance of election corruption)
Anyways…i’m not a lawyer. whoever told you that the 500 is more vulnerable is not qualified to be a lawyer.
Scott made a brilliant challenge (there’s a reason why he didn’t bother with the 500) and the court gave proper relief. Relatively new development in this area, but very simple line of cases. THIS article is BS.
August 28th, 2010 at 3:35 am
I agree. They will easily find a way around the $500 limit.