Posted on 01/03/2024 6:56:40 AM PST by Red Badger
Florida’s local governments have been hit with a wave of mass resignations as the state’s new laws regarding financial disclosures have come into effect.
The controversial new law requires officials to give a thorough report of their finances.
Local officials were previously required to fill out a less detailed form, Form 1.
Under the new rules, however, local officials are now required to report their net worth, assets, and liabilities in excess of $1,000, along with any business clients.
The reform has shaken up local politics, with many local officials choosing to resign rather than complete Form 6.
The law’s backers say it promotes transparency in local government.
Detractors, like ex-Eagle Lake Mayor Cory Coler, say the new requirements are invasive and will drive people away from serving.
Coler resigned as mayor last month over the new law.
“As much as I love my city and I do and as I love being able to serve the community, it put me at an impasse because that’s information I share with my spouse,” said Coler in December while stepping down.
“Not something I broadcast to my neighbors.
“Now people have information about you, they didn’t have before, and they might look at you differently because of how much you make or how much you have in the bank, which doesn’t affect the decision-making I do in a day in and day out basis that I do as a commissioner,” Coler said.
“When you’re talking about a city that’s 3,000 residents, there are not a lot of people willing to share up that information for people.”
Supporters of the financial disclosures, like state Rep. Spencer Roach (R-North Fort Myers), say transparency comes with the job.
“For someone who’s never done this form before, I mean, it could be a little bit of a learning curve, but I think largely those are excuses,” Roach said.
“Look, when you serve in public office, it’s an honor but it also comes with a higher level of transparency and public scrutiny than you would otherwise.
“And you know, to borrow an old adage — if you can’t take the heat, don’t come in the kitchen.”
A long list of state and local officials, from the governor down to tax collectors, sheriffs, and school board members, are already required to complete Form 6.
The reform passed the Republican state legislature with overwhelming support from both parties.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed it into law in May.
While it’s understandable that small-town officials want their privacy, they are in a position of public trust, and that comes with certain expectations.
And also for a volunteer, unpaid position?
Form 6 will result in financially successful people deciding not to run for public office.
Instead the dingbats who have been financially unsuccessful will be more than happy to run for public office as these dingbats have no assets to report.
Just before, IIRC..............
“And also for a volunteer, unpaid position?”
If it is in civil service for a “government agency” then yes... absolutely.
Gracias
Remember Wm. Buckley’s quote about being ruled by the first 500 names in the phone book? The Harvard faculty would represent the ones that don’t want this stuff disclosed. The phone book names are a better cross section of people. We’ll see who’s getting rich in the process. Think George Carlins’”It’s a club and you ain’t in it”.
Let’s at least be honest about how this information will be used. Both the Left and the Right will scour people’s reports to the extent they can to look for any -perceived- wrongdoing-. Or to just to make the accusation to inflict political damage.
Understand. I'd just resign. Not worth the loss of privacy for people to go through reports to the extent they can to note cash on hand, retirement accounts, investment accounts, items worth more $1,000 or more, etc.
Government will run just fine if volunteers resign. No one is irreplaceable. There will be others to fill in.
I dont completely disagree, but looking at the form, I would have objection to some of the ‘asset’ listing requirements, firearms in particular.
I can see where good and honest citizens would shy away from public service (thus leaving only crooks and gimme dats to run for office) because they do not want to be doxxed or to have personal information twisted against them by leftist/media. This is of course why Trump doesn’t offer up his tax returns, not because he has something to hide, but because anything he offers will be twisted by the left.
I also have to ask, to what end is this collection of data to be used? If I value my estate differently than some judge in new york thinks it should be, do I get the Trump treatment?
I dont have to provide the IRS with anything other than income and deductible expenses. Why should I have to publicly disclose asset value in this case? I dont even have to disclose this much detail for my security clearance.
The corruption is out of control. This would go a long way towards making them honest.
From the 2020 form you posted:
“ASSETS INDIVIDUALLY VALUED AT MORE THAN $1,000:
Describe, and state the value of, each asset you had on the reporting date you selected for your net worth in Part A, if the asset was worth more than $1,000 and if you have not already included that asset in the aggregate value of your household goods and personal effects.”
So, to give a hypothetical- a custom built bolt gun that costs ~$1800? I guess that has to be listed?
Is that information publicly available?
As for the working man, have you ever tried to get a job where a security clearance was required.?? Yeah, they'll even check your shorts for skid marks... :(
And what does this form do to bring that underground economy into compliance? Not a thing I can see. If the activity is already illegal according to the IRS and tax code, then no new disclosure changes that. JMO.
“Understand. I’d just resign. Not worth the loss of privacy for people to go through reports to the extent they can to note cash on hand, retirement accounts, investment accounts, items worth more $1,000 or more, etc.”
Here is a perspective for you... EVERYONE who receives any type of government aid such as medicaid, SNAP, Housing assistance, HUD loans, Etc. has to do this, all the way down to wedding rings...
Just out of curiosity, I compared the federal form OGE 450 (the one I had to submit annually) and the Florida form 6.
It looks like the OGE 450 is more comprehensive and has more categories that must be disclosed. However, it is confidential. The form is reviewed by the employee’s supervisor and then submitted to the JAG office. Versus the Florida form that is for public disclosure.
There is a federal OGE 278 form which seems to be more comprehensive than the OGE 450, and is for public disclosure. High level elected officials and appointees have to file this form.
I would say that's different compared to someone serving in an unpaid, volunteer position.
At least the LLC entry shows all the valuations, the property address, etc, just no name. But these VIP entries are like under-the-table easy-to-hide, all in the name of so called ‘safety’ of the owners. Not a thing will come up at that address or parcel number.
I live in Florida and can tell you this is not career politicians. This is grass roots people who serve because they care about their communities.
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