Transparency in Campaign FundraisingCampaign Finance ReformThe people of Orange County ought to know who is contributing to the candidates running for the most powerful positions in local government. Unfortunately, state law that allows contributors to hide their identities, and circumvent the $500 contribution limit. It is common in the development industry, for example, for individuals to set up what are called Limited Liability Companies (LLCs). It makes good business sense for developers to set up a separate LLC for each property they own, but when business owners use these LLCs to contribute to campaigns, it makes it easy to disguise the identity of the person behind those contributions. And when one developer sets up 10, 20, even 50 or more LLC's and makes contributions from each, it certainly gives the appearance that there is a "pay to play" system in Orange County. I've seen the damage this system has done to the trust our citizens have in their government -- and I'm not alone. When State Attorney Lawson Lamar raised concerns about the influence these large campaign contributions have on our government, I proposed several options for local legislation. One option was to limit contributions to one per heartbeat. Another option was to require contributing shell companies to disclose the names of individuals holding a significant interest in the company. Unfortunately, the County Commission was unwilling to adopt such limits or transparency requirements. Those opposed to this proposal argued that any candidate could self impose these limitations. But the problem with self-imposed limitations is that if all candidates don't adopt them, those that do will likely raise significantly less money to get their message and platform out to the voters, hindering their chance to win. So those candidates willing to abide by a higher level of transparency, would likely be at quite a disadvantage. So much for "May the best man (or woman) win." However, I assure you that I will continue to fight for a system in which the people have a right to know who has contributed to each candidate and the true amounts of those contributions. To compete on a somewhat level playing field while providing you crucial information about the sources of my contributions, I have provided, below, a direct link to the Orange County Elections' website, where you can view all contributions and expenses for my campaign. I will also provide links to the Division of Corporations' websites, where you can obtain all public information available on each corporation. Orange County Supervisor of Elections – Florida Department of State Division of Corporations – |
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Listen to what people are saying about Teresa
“It is rare to find a politician who cares more about the citizens she represents than in being re-elected and using her public office for personal benefit. You are rare, perhaps unique, among politicians, because you truly care about the citizens you represent and doing the right thing. Your ethics, hard work and principles served you well as our County Commissioner and will serve you well in the future.”“I’ll forever admire the way you championed “doing the right thing” – though calling for the necessity for debate inevitably came with the territory. Even when the sparks were flying, you always held your head high and carried yourself with great dignity, grace and were still able to make everyone smile with one of your witty jokes. You were always there for us!”“You have exhibited nothing but fairness, provided an open avenue for communications and supported our many projects and/or opposition to the never-ending thrusts of development in our rural area. Your support came only after you studied the situations in their entirety, helped us see the “other side of the story,” and were honest in telling us when we were facing a losing battle, which wasn’t often, thank heavens.”
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