A Times Editorial

Felons' money still good

As the world learned two years ago, Florida makes it hard for ex-felons to vote. Too hard. They're banned for life, unless the governor and Cabinet act to restore their civil rights. The hoops are easier than they used to be, but Florida ought to do it the way most other states do: by making restoration automatic once one's debt to society is paid.

At last count, at least 343,000 Floridians (the state's estimate) were under the ban, which hits hardest among black men. In the Legislature, every effort to change this is talked to death by lawmakers eager to deplore crime.

But there turns out to be a gaping chink in Florida's moralistic armor. Convicted felons are perfectly welcome to contribute money to political campaigns. And as everyone knows, it's the money that comes first in politics these days.

The latest example is that of Edward DeBartolo Jr., Florida shopping mall developer and former owner of the San Francisco 49ers, who pleaded guilty to a felony and got two years' probation in the riverboat casino bribery scheme that sent former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards to federal prison last week.

Though DeBartolo is now barred from voting in Florida, the Florida Republican Party was happy to take $45,000 of his personal money this year. So were the committees opposing the class-size ($20,000) and the university-governance ($10,000) initiatives. Education Commissioner Charlie Crist, who is running for attorney general, got $500. DeBartolo also gave $43,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in Washington, and his property management group gave $15,000 to the Florida GOP eight days before his personal contribution turned up.

Fundamental fairness seems to be the forgotten issue here. If people who have committed crimes aren't worthy of influencing government with their votes, they surely ought not to be allowed to influence it to a greater extent with their money. Hypocrisy, where is thy sting?

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