by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Dade Day isn’t going to happen, Jacksonville Day is officially on hold and several other Florida cities are considering canceling their days during the upcoming legislative session. All of this has Tallahassee Mayor John Franks genuinely worried about the financial impact on his town this spring.
“We haven’t qualified the total potential effect yet because there is no reason to look at it right now,” said Franks, who was elected mayor in February of 2003. “I know that Dade has canceled reservations for 1,000 hotel nights. I talked to a representative from Dade and tried to get them to reconsider.”
Franks contends that when the legislature passed Senate Bill 6 earlier this year, it may have done something that the public will perceive well, but didn’t consider the reciprocal effects — namely the amount of money that won’t be spent in Tallahassee on lodging, food, gas and other things.
“I think the legislature acted hastily and prematurely without considering the consequences of their actions,” said Franks. “I don’t think they intended to affect the cities’ days, but the legislation is so broad and sweeping that the language does indeed impact that. I think we can find a solution.
“Dade County’s reaction was hasty as well. I’d say I’m disappointed they acted as quickly as they did.”
Senate Bill 6 effectively puts an end to the wining and dining of elected officials. Extravagant dinners, gifts and trips at the expense of lobbyists had become lore in Tallahassee. No more. Instead, lobbyists will simply have to rely on the merits of their bills and their powers of vocal persuasion.
Or will they?
Franks said the bill contains one giant loophole that could lead to issues no one ever considered.
“Apparently lobbyists can give as much money as they want to the parties who can then dole out the money for dinners and parties,” said Franks, explaining that such a system will allow the party to funnel money to particular legislators — those in the party’s good graces — and away from those who may have fallen out of the party’s favor.
“If you are not in favor with the party, they could use it as a way to weed you out. This could concentrate even more power within the party. Is that a good thing?”
Dalton Agency executive Michael Munz usually heads up the Jacksonville Day contingent, which numbers between 100 and 125, which includes lobbyists, business leaders and economic development leaders. Munz said he firmly believes Jacksonville Day should continue, regardless of limitations created by Senate Bill 6.
“I am working to see how we can keep Jacksonville Day intact,” said Munz. “Jacksonville Day is very effective for networking not just with our delegation, but with the leadership from around the state. The key is how to balance paying attention to the law with communicating our message.”
Munz said the main reason Jacksonville Day is on hold is because he is waiting for an official interpretation of the law. According to Munz, there is reason to believe that only those who are official lobbyists or affiliated with a lobbyist will be allowed to lobby the legislature.
“That means the 100 or so from the Chamber would not be allowed to lobby,” said Munz. “We are waiting until after the first of the year for that interpretation.”
Munz agreed with Franks in that the legislature may have passed a law without considering all that would be affected.
“They were trying to deal with the overall perception of politics and while their intentions were very good, there may be some unintended consequences,” said Munz. “Jacksonville Day is very important because we have got to be able to go over there and communicate our needs. We will wait for all the facts before we make a decision. Once the guidelines come out, we will get a hold of them and figure out the exact parameters of the law.”
Franks said he thinks the law is good and that legislators were truly trying to put an end to expensive trips, private dinners and costly gifts — all designed to garner votes. However, he doesn’t think lawmakers intended to make hosting business and community representatives illegal, too.
“I don’t believe they intended to capture these days,” said Franks, who grew up in Miami and graduated from Florida State in 1969. “They should carve out these days when the entire legislature is going to be on hand and make them exempt. I understand they were trying to get at the undue influence by certain lobbyists and certain legislators. But consider this: under the current law, Mayor (John) Peyton couldn’t buy the entire Duval Delegation a burger or give them a plaque to thank them for a job well done and that’s just not right.”
Franks said he will ask his lobbyists to look into the bill in an effort to save this year and address future legislative sessions.