WHY FLORIDA GOVT OFFICIAL are RESIGNING in DROVES
With a cascade of resignations, Florida cities are scrambling to fill critical vacancies
Friends, this intriguing news story grabbed my attention, particularly given my stance on what I humorously term "public serpents" — a phrase I coined to describe persons in government service who serve evil rather than we the people.
However, not all public servants are public serpents — and this post isn't about casting a broad judgment on the entire profession.
What truly piqued my interest is the significant wave of resignations among government officials in the state of Florida tied to a new disclosure law that came into effect on January 1, 2024.
Watch my video below for more:
Before we dive into the law, let's take a quick glance at the scale of the issue:
The Town of Reddick in Florida is currently being run by the town clerk. The entire town council and the mayor have just resigned.
Most of the North Palm Beach Village Council also have resigned, including the mayor, and Eagle Lake barely avoided losing a quorum. Four out of the five St. Pete Beach city council members resigned, as did four of the five McIntosh Town Council members. Dozens of local elected officials across Florida have abruptly left office in the last few weeks. — Sarasota Herald-Tribune
This legislation, Senate Bill 774, requires that city council members and mayors must disclose their assets and liabilities over $1,000 using Form 6. While proponents argue that this measure enhances transparency, opponents contend that it infringes upon the privacy of public servants.
The repercussions of this law are evident across the state, with entire cities left without council members, forcing a mad dash to fill the void. For some, the mass resignation is a positive omen, with the absence of government seen as a welcome relief.
I mean, who wouldn't mind a break from the usual bureaucratic circus, right?
The heart of the matter lies in the detailed level of financial disclosure now required. Previously, only state officials underwent such scrutiny, but the new law extends this requirement to city officials. They have to spill the beans on everything – net worth, assets, debts, real estate, credit card numbers, even down to their household items and 401(k) plans. It's like airing out their financial laundry for everyone to see. Now, here's the burning question: is it fair to put city council members, who aren't exactly rolling in dough, under this intense financial microscope?
Supporters argue that such transparency is crucial in preventing conflicts of interest, fraud, and kickbacks. The Florida Commission on Ethics highlighted all the positions required to disclose under Form 6, emphasizing the importance of financial transparency at various levels of government. They are basically saying they want to keep an eye on everyone.
“According to the Florida Commission on Ethics all persons holding the following positions must fill out Form 6: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Cabinet members, members of the Legislature, State Attorneys, Public Defenders, Clerks of Circuit Courts, Sheriffs, Tax Collectors, Property Appraisers, Supervisors of Elections, County Commissioners, elected Superintendents of Schools, members of District School Boards, Mayor and members of the Jacksonville City Council, Judges of Compensation Claims; the Duval County Superintendent of Schools, and members of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation Board, each expressway authority, transportation authority (except the Jacksonville Transportation Authority), bridge authority, toll authority, or expressway agency created pursuant to Chapter 348 or 343, F.S., or any other general law, mayors, elected members of the governing body of a municipality, each member of the Commission on Ethics and judges, as required by Canon 6, Code of Judicial Conduct.
Form 6 requires officials to disclose their net worth, assets, debts, real estate, jewelry, and 401k plan, among other financial information. However, the new law now expands that to mayors and commissioners of cities, towns and villages across the state” Source.
Officials who fail to file on time face fines and the potential removal from public office or employment.
The mass resignations also bring to light concerns over the practicality and impact of such stringent regulations. Critics worry that the onerous demands may deter qualified and well-intentioned individuals from seeking public office.
I'm sitting here wondering, how much transparency is too much transparency? It's like a delicate dance between knowing what's going on and respecting someone's right to keep a few things close to the chest.
What’s your take? I’d love to hear from you in a comment below.
We are in the mess we're in because human nature is to be secretive when we do things that are inappropriate. I don't see many entering the political arena to help one's fellow man, or to help our country. We aren't the caliber of people our founding fathers would have wanted to serve and protect our constitutional republic. Maybe this will bring back trust, better ethics, and better morals.
Totally unnecessary and an invasion of privacy. As long as Biden is still in office all this is a farce. As long as Bill and Hillary are still around this is all a farce. As long as the fakery that is an alleged Jan-6th insurrection is sending people to jail/prison for years this is all a farce. As long as congress is allowing the Jan-6 fakery to imprison people for a non-insurrection event this is all a farce. As long as illegals can just waltz into the U.S. this is all a farce. As long as we keep sending billions we don't have to countries who could not have cared any less about the U.S. this is all a bunch of fakery. As long as they keep trying to get Trump for something... anything... this is all a farce. It's time the federal government was ended and everyone goes home and let the states handle their territories until a more perfect union is formed.