TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Senate has clamped down on campaign fundraising by its members during the session that began Tuesday. But the new restriction will be ignored next week, so the money can keep flowing to the state Republican Party.
Capitol lobbyists are being asked to contribute up to $5,000 to attend a legislative appreciation reception on March 11 to boost lawmakers' re-election campaigns. Dozens of lobbyists, many with issues pending before the Legislature, are expected to attend.
Legislative leaders say the fundraiser does not violate the new ban because the money goes to the party, not directly to lawmakers.
"There is no solicitation on behalf of the members," said Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, who is in line to become Senate president in November. "There's no acceptance of checks on behalf of the members. It's a Republican Party fund."
At Lee's direction, the Senate on Tuesday expanded an existing rule that bars lawmakers from raising money for their campaigns during the regular session. The new rule was aimed at curbing the growing trend among legislators to raise money through committees they control.
The new rule outlaws "solicitation or acceptance" of contributions during the session, "directly or indirectly," for a senator's campaign, a political committee, committee of continuous existence, political party, or campaign of any candidate for the Senate.
"The spirit of this is to stop fundraising," Lee told senators Tuesday.
At next week's reception, donors are asked to write checks to the Republican Party of Florida. Tickets are $1,000 each. For $5,000, a donor can attend a private reception with legislators.
Both the donor and the party know the money will be divided between Senate and House "victory funds," to help elect Republicans to the Legislature.
The funds are controlled by Lee and Rep. Allan Bense, R-Panama City, who becomes House speaker in November.
Bense called the reception a "traditional event" that has been held for the past eight or 10 years. He said no lawmakers are raising money for the event.
"We won't be doing any asking for contributions," Bense said. "I don't have a clue who's contributing, and won't know who contributed to it."
Although next week's event does not violate the new rule, such receptions may be a thing of the past next year, Lee said. He said he was attempting to restrict in-session fundraising without disrupting events that have already been scheduled, with invitations in the mail.
"What was I going to do, nothing?" Lee asked. "You can't capture everything."
