Dockery Again Files Bill Requiring Legislative Disclosure

State Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, has again proposed a state law to prevent legislators from voting on issues that would personally benefit them or their relatives.

Given the publics justifiable lack of trust and confidence in elected officials throughout the country, it is imperative that reforms of this nature be enacted, Dockery stated in a release. The Florida Legislature must take action to ensure that our state is at the forefront of initiatives helping to restore citizens faith in government.

Currently, state senators can vote on any matter in which they, a family member or business holds an interest, even if they would derive a benefit from the legislation being signed into law; they need only disclose such an interest within 15 days after casting their vote on the legislation.

The legislation requires lawmakers to publicly state their own interest, or that of a close relative, in any legislation in which they would derive such a gain or loss.

This is the fifth year Dockery has filed the bill, titled this year as Senate Bill 522, Ethical Practices Act of 2012. Rep. Fred Costello, R-Ormond Beach, filed the House version, HB 359.

I am pleased to be able to emphatically state that the men and women of the Florida Legislature are of the highest integrity. However, the current state of the law that permits legislators to vote upon and lobby for matters from which they and their family members will make money is inappropriate, Costello stated in a release. It is no wonder that many Floridians have lost faith in elected officials.