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.
Thankfully, that will not happen in the US. The Voting Rights Act does not allow tests or requirements of that type.
It has to be listed individually OR aggregated with other personal property.
Read very carefully:
if the asset was worth more than $1,000 and if you have not already included that asset in the aggregate
One of our local council members resigned over this.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=760438399460906&id=100064842572129
He posted a resignation on Facebook.
Re: 60 - I have been referring to unpaid, volunteer positions that may be subject to financial disclosure.
Let me ask you - do you believe it is an infringement of the 2nd Amendment if people have to disclose firearms that may be > $1000 asset? Or suppressors?
I did. So the way I read that is that the FIRST time you list the asset it has to be declared individually.
if you have not already included that asset in the aggregate value of your household goods and personal effects.”
Why would you separate it out?
In some states SNAP is income-based. Disclosing certain expenses can further reduce income for qualification.
Just for the record, I was clearly being facetious there.
People seem to think that local government representation is some sort of highly compensated endeavor. In my experience, it is not, and I do have some experience.
“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-.”
Yep, and who needs that hassle!?
But, it should be interesting to see how it works out.
The founders were geniuses in giving the states most of the power. They called them “laboratories in governance”.
This is a good example of it - let Florida do the experiment and see what happens.
You are as well.
Unless your area has not placed it's public records on line and that would be kind of unusual.
On a closer reading, firearms can be included in the aggregate. They can also be listed out separately, but not sure why one would do that unless they had to.
Re: 68 - Understand.
It’s not unusual to see the vast majority of posts on certain threads bash government workers. I chalk that up to mainly ignorance and herd mentality.
Re: 69 - Excellant point.
Click the Public Search link, enter your favorite politician's name, and see how they disclosed their assets. I've checked a few, and I don't see items of personal property individually listed.
And you think they are being truthful?
Upon reviewing actual forms filed by Governor DeSantis and by several members of the Florida Legislature, items listed individually seem to be investments, bank accounts, insurance policies, and real property. Personal property, to include guns, jewelry, cars, etc. get aggregated.
I believe that people on this forum are getting exercised over something that doesn’t exist.
Ran for public office once. Had to disclose quite a bit as a candidate.
“It also will have the perverse affect of more “campaign contributions” from the well to do to others, to do their bidding for them.”
That’s almost guaranteed, and instead of reducing fraud and corruption, it may actually increase it.
If you put people with no money there with the power to vote themselves money, they will do it. They have no skin in the game.
And poor people are not necessarily more honest, just generally lazier and/or not as smart.
Thanks for the info.
Everyone will make a data informed decision. I would resign if in that situation as to keep a bright line between work and personal. I do understand the requirement for disclosure.
A good example is the concern for liability. I have a friend in public service who went through treatment for cancer (not in Florida). There is a balance due > $1000 to the name of the (”xxxx” Cancer Treatment Center).
That liability must be listed and disclosable in Florida. And if he lived in Florida, that debt would now be public.
As noted, everyone will make the decision best for them. And no one is irreplaceable.
I would guess that the resistance to it has to do with that pesky constitution thingy, you know, that particular part that guarantees a person to be secure in their papers????
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