In an attempt to increase some accountability, legislators required monthly reporting. Dozens of political committees have now been registered with the state Division of Elections, each of them with high-minded titles that are not easily linked to legislators. These new political committees have been the go-to source for contributors to send unlimited soft money donations to politicians. The new law replaced the CCEs with political committees, a move that opened the fundraising floodgates for key lawmakers who are not household names. The old law banned legislators from using the money for their own campaigns but allowed them to raise unlimited funds, write checks to other candidates and finance personal entertainment, travel meals and other lavish expenses. Ironically, the Republican-controlled Legislature last year changed its campaign finance laws in an attempt to put an end to the abuse of political committees known as Committees of Continuous Existence, or CCEs. 'I say this every year, and every year it gets worse.' 'The thirst for campaign money has just reached a new level,'' said veteran lobbyist Ron Book, in between two legislative fundraisers in Miami last week. But over the past year, the amount of money flowing into political committees is unprecedented and has ignited an arms race for cash. Lawmakers depend heavily on the special interest money to underwrite their campaigns. Businesses hire teams of lobbyists to mount a full-court press on major issues and seed the debate with campaign cash. Money has long commanded attention in the Legislature. Rick Scott's campaign and has given legislators more than $250,000 this cycle and, is the governor's biggest backer - donating $2.4 million in the last four years. Who's Fernandez? He's co-finance chair of Gov. After years of legislative resistance, the bill is all set for a vote on the House floor. It doesn't hurt that MCNA gave more than $355,000 to the political committees of Republican legislators and the Republican Party in the last seven months.Īnd then there's billionaire Coral Gables executive Miguel 'Mike' Fernandez, who is pushing a bill to allow Miami-Dade College and Florida International University to reap the revenue from a proposed half-penny sales tax. The juice? Proponents say it's the hard work and persuasion skills of the bill sponsors, Miami Republicans Sen. This year's bill, which would remove $200 million in dental care from the state's Medicaid reform, has rocketed through House and Senate committees even before the start of session.

Another example: a bill to preserve a dental care contract for Miami-based MCNA.

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