News-Press: Candidates: raise your own money
Jan 13, 2009
Instant Editorial: Candidates: raise your own money
by Mark Stephens
Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, wants to boost state revenues by abolishing Florida’s silly little public financing program for campaigns for statewide office.
In 2006, the program, which provides matching money for contributions of $250 or less from individuals, paid out $11.1 million. The Democrats’ notion that such public money seriously reduces the influence of special interest donations is laughable.
Barack Obama can run for president without tapping public financing (the federal program should also be abolished), then people running for governor of Florida can, too.
Haridopolos’s constitutional amendment bill (SJR 566) and his statutory bill (SB 564) deserve our support.
Reprinted from the News-Press
Notes from Senator Mike
07/07/2010 - Read Sen. Haridopolos’ Letter to US Sen. Bill NelsonWith record unemployment, Floridians have had their problems compounded by the coming bill for health care “reform,” the absence of support for a space program that employs thousands, and the federal government’s slow response to the economic impacts of the oil spill. Florida deserves better.
