Politics

With an 81-39 vote in the House on Thursday and a 30-9 vote shortly after in the Senate, the Legislature has overridden the 2010 veto by Gov. Charlie Crist of a bill creating new types of fundraising accounts for legislative leaders to control to hand out campaign cash. Republicans realized last year that they were relying on the party for raising money to get legislative candidates elected at a time when the Republican Party and its chairman were under investigation for spending irregularities that would eventually lead to GOP Chairman Jim Greer being indicted. The bill creates “affiliated party committees” that let legislative leaders control fundraising for candidates they’re trying to get elected. It was vetoed by Crist last spring. Democrats opposed the veto override. Republicans said the new committees are far more transparent than the way money is raised now by the parties. The bill became law immediately – Republicans also pushed through bills making the measure law upon passage.