One Example of how County Commissioners Screwed Us: Campaign Financing. By Geniusofdespair.

We, the voters of Miami-Dade County approved a ballot question on November 7, 2000 that required the Board of County Commissioners to adopt an Ordinance providing limited Public Financing. On March 8, 2001, the County Commissioners adopted such an Ordinance relating to Campaign Financing and created the Election Campaign Financing Trust Fund to provide limited Public Financing for Mayoral and County Commission elections. In 2002 it was amended twice and December 6, 2005 it was gutted by amendment.

This is the sad and sordid truth on what happened and how we ALL were stepped on.

In 2001, then Mayor Alex Penelas, wrote to Commissioners:

“There is no doubt that the system of financing campaigns for public office in America is broken. Unless independently wealthy, even the most honest and ethical candidate must rely on private fundraising to have a chance at competing for public office. No matter how honest or ethical the candidate, our system of financing campaigns leaves the public wondering whether their elected officials have been bought and paid for by the special interest. It is sad that our system places such an unfair burden on those who seek to serve the public. There is no doubt that passing campaign finance reform legislation would relieve the burden.

The proposed legislation crafted by Commissioner Morales represents a very positive step. The goal of this reform is to prohibit the appearance of undue influence by special interests on the political process. In addition to the previous mentioned provisions, the proposed ordinance also addresses penalties for violations set forth in the ordinance. Additionally, it calls for expenditure reporting by any candidate who exceeds the contributiion limitations in the ordinance.

In closing, I once again urge the Commission to approve campaign finance reform initiatives such as the one presented to you today. Together, along with the media partnership I envision, these reforms will contribute to regaining the public trust.”

This was at the heart of what the Commission passed in 2001:

“Candidates for Board of County Commissioners. Each candidate for the Board of County Commissioners shall have received at least two hundred (200) separate contributions between fifteen ($15) dollars and two hundred and fifty ($250) dollars from two hundred (200) different registered voters residing in Miami-Dade County. These contributions must be in the form of: (i) a personal check; (ii) money order; (iii) traveler's check; or (iv) electronic transfer of funds where the name of the contributor is clearly stated.

(b) Candidates for Mayor. Each candidate for Mayor of Miami-Dade County shall have received at least one thousand (1,000) contributions between fifteen ($15) dollars and two hundred and fifty ($250) dollars from one thousand (1,000) different registered voters residing in Miami-Dade County. These contributions must be in the form of: (i) a personal check; (ii) money order; (iii) traveler's check; or (iv) electronic transfer of funds where the name of the contributor is clearly stated.” And:

“1. Each candidate for the Board of County Commissioners who has satisfied the requirements of Section 4 shall be entitled to a contribution of seventy-five thousand ($75,000) dollars from the Election Campaign Trust Fund."

So, what it amounted to, if you wanted to run for County Commissioner, you needed to get 200 contributions of between $15 and $250 to qualify to get $75,000 for your campaign. Doable and helpful to a campaign? Yes sir!

It didn’t last long. No sir! They had to screw us and gut it. On December 6th 2005, with legislation sponsored by Commissioner Sally Heyman (coincidentally up for reelection), they did. They rendered public financing totally useless. They said it was to weed out corruption, but the stringent rules rendered public financing -- what WE VOTED FOR -- useless.

Here is how it stands today to get public financing:

Mandatory for Candidates and Campaign Treasurers to attend a seminar conducted by the Miami-Dade County Commission on Ethics and Public Trust regarding State and local Campaign Financing Laws.

Now it is required that you must get at least 300 checks (50% of which are from within the district). These check have to total at least $30,000. Which means you must get 300 checks for $100. If you do this impossible task you can get $50,000 in campaign funds from the County. If you get 300 checks totaling $50,000 you can get $75,000 from the County. Bad enough, but they also give you a time limit to accomplish this. And, most business people in a position to give $100 are afraid to give a challenger money because they are afraid of retribution from a grudge holding incumbent.

Since the overhaul, understandably, no one has applied for public financing. Only a fool would apply. It is too restrictive for too little money. So Alex Penelas, your words were twisted by the new legislation. You were right about one thing:

“It is sad that our system places such an unfair burden on those who seek to serve the public.”