Banned more than two decades ago, Republican legislative leaders are getting set to resurrect a campaign finance bill, vetoed last year, that would lift the lid on political fund-raising to allow more special-interest cash to pour into Florida campaigns.
Last year’s House Bill 1207 recreates so-called “leadership funds”–or slush funds–that would give the Senate President Mike Haridopolos and House Speaker Dean Cannon, power to raise unlimited soft-money donations to aid campaigns.
The slush funds bill is expected to be revived in both the House and Senate as early as Thursday.
Opposed by House Democratic Caucus members, the slush funds bill was vetoed by then former Governor Charlie Crist, when it was brought before the Legislature by Republicans last year.
In vetoing the bill Crist said, “These accounts allowed legislative leaders to solicit and accept campaign contributions during the legislative session from lobbyists and interest groups outside the public view.”
