Florida Governor Rick Scott exercises his Veto power on the Alimony Bill and signed Campaign and Ethics bills as Florida Legislative session comes to a close


rtkpost522013croppedFlorida Governor Rick Scott has acted on several bills as the close of the Florida legislative session is imminent.  Scott exercised his veto power on the “Alimony Bill” on Wednesday, May 1.  Scott vetoed the alimony bill that would have ended permanent alimony in divorce cases. Scott indicated he vetoed the bill as it could result in unfair anticipated results for families. Scott also voiced the retroactive provisions could result in unfair, unanticipated results and tampers with the settlements that are in place.

Additionally, the bill would have made it more difficult to obtain alimony in short-term marriages.  Including a provision that would have prevented alimony payments from lasting longer than one half of the length of the marriage

Based on the original vote counts it’s doubtful the Governor’s veto will be overridden.

Scott did sign two other bills relating to campaign-finance and ethics.

The campaign-finance bill requires more frequent reporting deadlines for political candidates and raises the maximum contribution limits.  The goal of the bill is increased and elevated transparency and accountability related to campaign contributions.

The Florida ethics bill gives the State of Florida, through its designated commission, to investigate complaints referred by law enforcement agencies and the Governor. Providing for greater ability to collect unpaid fines, allow public officials to place assets and blind trust, and banning former legislators from lobbying any state agency for two years after they leave office and prohibits legislators in certain cases from taking second jobs on public payrolls.

The Florida Legislative session is scheduled to end this Friday, May 3, 2013.

 

 

 


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