How 'We the People' can fight corruption in state

Letter: How 'We the People' can fight corruption in state
St. Augustine Record
ED SLAVIN
March 28, 2013                                                                          Copyright 2013 St. Augustine Record.
Editor:
What do we do about corruption in Florida, rated one of our most corrupt states?
Here in our ancient city, diverse citizens work together to solve modern problems, defeating corruption. Citizens spoke out and helped cancel the $1.8 million no-bid Mosquito Control helicopter purchase (with $81,000 deposit refund); halted four City Commissioners’ planned “business trip” to Spain; ended secretive First America Foundation (with $200,000 refund); and halted plans to dump 40,000 cubic yards of toxic, illegally dumped solid waste in Lincolnville.
But generally speaking, is Florida corruption getting worse? Last year, then-State Sen. Michael Bennett, R-Bradenton, and our Legislature illegally revoked St. Johns County’s land use decision-making powers as to one absentee developer’s 607-acre property in Switzerland community. Bennett, in his closing seconds as Senate President Pro Tempore, procured last-minute legislation eviscerating “local control,” which he supposedly cherished in slashing the Department of Community Affairs.
Debating Florida voter suppression laws, Bennett said voting “should not be easy.” It’s corruption that “should not be easy,” not citizen participation. It is our government. Let’s unite to halt legislative legerdemain and Tallahassee trickery. We must re-write our Florida Constitution and laws to make it easier to expose corruption and fight Big Money’s power. How?
“We, the People” can petition for a Florida Constitutional Convention: Florida has not had once since 1968. Florida’s Constitutional Convention will create stronger, indelible ethics and Sunshine laws (including posting government contracts online and protecting public rights to speak at meetings). It’s our government. It’s our money. Freedom works. When governments hear and heed informed citizens, we all save money (and save lives).
Bennett’s last-minute legislating flummery-frenzy proves we need more Sunshine, not less. It takes a village — and the hearts, minds and souls of all Floridians — to fight corruption.