Pay to Play Politics in Florida: "Florida GOP rakes in Cash for Fall Vote"

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-money1206apr12,0,7951842.story?coll=orl-home-headlines
Florida GOP rakes in cash for fall vote

State Democrats struggle to compete in fundraising

John Kennedy and Jason Garcia
Tallahassee Bureau

April 12, 2006

TALLAHASSEE -- With big-money issues dominating the Republican-ruled Florida Legislature this election year, the state GOP has raised $7.3 million during the past three months -- one of its top fund-raising periods in years.

Democrats, badly outnumbered in the Legislature, were able to muster a mere $2.5 million during the same period. They say the disparity suggests there's a pay-to-play approach at the state Capitol.

"If you look at Republican priorities, they're not in line with what the people of Florida want," said Mark Bubriski, a Florida Democratic Party spokesman. "But they may be in line with special interests -- and special-interest money."

An Orlando Sentinel analysis shows that almost two-thirds of the cash that poured into the state Republican Party through March 31 came from individuals and organizations backing lawsuit limits that were OK'd by lawmakers earlier this month.

With the two-month session looming, the GOP also raked in big bucks from property-insurance companies -- concerned about legislation overhauling the industry in the wake of a record eight hurricanes in two years -- and auto insurers battling over the future of no-fault insurance. And the National Rifle Association has squared off with the state's powerful business lobby over a proposal to allow Floridians to bring weapons to work.

(It's disgustingly obvious that we have a government of, by and for the special interests here in Florida, a Republican led government who works hard to put the special interests above the public good. Thanks to the Orlando Sentinel journalists for making this fact so plain and to the Orlando Sentinel for putting it on the front page.)

[AndyA]

1. One only has to look as far as the Governor's office to see why

Florida is the "Let's Make a Deal" state. Corruption is Jeb Bush's middle name. Time for America to send The Bush Crime Family™ packing! I hear Dubai is nice...

[darkmaestro019]

2. I hear Gitmo is nice, too

Why, all that hazing ought to make them feel right at home.