Florida municipalities spend 3 million of the 35 million during the regular 60-day session and a June special session of the state legislature dedicated to property taxes, according to a report in the Miami Herald. Cities and counties want funding for capital projects while mitigating their property taxes, according to the report. Private interests, led by telecommunications and insurance companies, spend $35-83 million to convince elected officials to buy their arguments.
Rep. Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) said he was frustrated cities and counties use taxpayer money to block property tax proposals. Rep. David Rivera (R-Miami) said localities should oust outside lobbyists. 'Most cities and counties have full-time employees paid to work on state government issues,' he said.
These special-interests spend freely to win votes in Tallahassee:
• Casino owners in Broward County spent $490,000 during the last six months. Lawmakers passed bills allowing dog tracks and horse tracks to remain open longer and to add more slot machines.
• BellSouth/AT&T, spent $890,000 this year. The Legislature passed a cable bill making it easier for phone companies to offer their cable television service.
• WellCare Health Plans, the Tampa-based HMO, spent $110,000 this year. Lawmakers passed a bill to boost the HMO reimbursement for Medicaid patients, although Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed the bill. Medicaid is a $15 billion federal and state program.
• State Farm spent $80,000 this year, including $60,000 to hire the Fowler,White & Boggs Banker firm, which includes J.M. Stipanovich, who was campaign manager for Jeb Bush, and Jim Magill, a campaign volunteer for Crist. State Farm wants the state's no-fault auto insurance law to expire Oct. 1.
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