He doesn’t pander; he isn’t a blowhard or a publicity-seeking glad-hander. So just how in the hell did Charlie Justice (D-St. Petersburg) get elected in the first place? By working hard and voting his conscience in Tallahassee, apparently. Justice is that rare combination of a smart, wonky guy who actually can relate to the working stiffs who populate his Tampa-St. Pete district — because he’s one himself. His agenda? Strongly for consumer safety and ethics. In 2007, his bill requiring local governments to answer public record requests was promptly signed by the governor. This year, he got his toy safety law through the Senate before the House sided with manufacturers and killed it. Also this year, he filed a bill that would have pulled in the reins on an out-of-control type of PAC called an ECO, or electioneering communications organization. ECO’s can accept however much money they want from anybody; Justice’s bill would have capped that at the same $500 limit that applies to candidates. The Republicans who control the Legislature (with the help of ECO money) wouldn’t even let it be heard in committee. Let’s hope he tries again in 2009. www.flsenate.gov/legislators/s16
This article appears in Sep 10-16, 2008.
