House must fight against Florida Senate’s weakening of ethics laws

Throughout my tenure in public service, I have unwaveringly committed myself to the cause of fostering ethical governance across local and state levels.

Our journey toward progress, while slow, faces a new and unprecedented challenge that threatens the very foundation of public trust we’ve strived to build. The Florida Senate, passing an amendment without going through the committee process and with no public hearings, seeks to severely weaken both state and local ethics commissions. This represents a direct assault on the pillars of accountability and transparency essential to our democracy.

This legislative maneuver is not just disappointing; it’s a cause for outrage. We have placed our trust in these bodies to safeguard the public interest, yet they are now orchestrating efforts that undermine the processes designed for this purpose. The Jacksonville Ethics Commission, a beacon of our collective efforts to combat corruption, as demonstrated in its role against the JEA privatization bid, exemplifies what is at stake. The diligent work of Ethics Officers like Carla Miller and Kirby Oberdorfer in exposing corruption highlights the critical importance of our ongoing mission.

The bill in question (Senate Bill 7014) introduces prohibitive measures that overburden citizens seeking to lodge legitimate complaints. It mandates that complainants possess personal knowledge of the alleged ethics violation, as well as effectively stripping local ethics commissions of their ability to initiate investigations independently. Furthermore, it requires complainants to submit a sworn, notarized affidavit, creating a significant barrier for those wishing to report on issues such as inadequately completed annual financial disclosures by elected officials. Imagine the impact on our political landscape if the most common complaints to the Florida Commission on Ethics — such as misuse of public position, receiving disproportionate benefits, conflicts of interest and voting conflicts — were left unaddressed?

In short, this bill muddies up the waters and makes it harder for the public to lodge complaints.

Why does this matter? It matters because the people of Florida have clearly expressed their desire for stronger ethics laws. In 2018, the overwhelming approval of Amendment 12 (at 78.92%), which introduced tougher restrictions on post-office lobbying and the misuse of positions for disproportionate benefit, demonstrated the public’s appetite for stringent ethical standards. This bill, however, seeks to move us in the opposite direction, making it increasingly difficult for the public to hold their representatives accountable.

The bill, which passed the Florida Senate unanimously, is a stark reminder of the lengths some will go to prioritize political survival over the welfare of the communities they serve. It’s a regressive step that not only insults the intelligence of our citizens but also jeopardizes decades of progress in ethical governance.

As a Jacksonville City Council member and a steadfast advocate for ethical integrity, I am appalled by the potential repercussions of this legislation. Yet, I remain hopeful that our Duval delegation will see the dangerous implications of SB7014 and keeps the destructive language out of its house companion bill, HB1597, and acts swiftly to prevent their passage. We must unite to oppose these measures, reaffirming our dedication to the principles of ethics, integrity and public trust that form the cornerstone of our democracy.

The journey toward ethical governance never ends; it’s a constant uphill battle. We’ve built solid ethics commissions and laws to keep things on the straight and narrow, but there will always be those trying to knock these down. We can’t afford to ease up in our fight to keep Florida’s ethics strong. It’s crucial that we band together, reinforcing our commitment to honesty and transparency. By taking a stand now, we ensure a fairer future for everyone. Together, we can preserve the integrity of our public institutions and ensure that our governance remains by the people, for the people.