PIC to discuss its future

The Longboat Key Public Interest Committee's (PIC) board of directors will meet in October to discuss the organization's future.

PIC has typically reported to the Florida Elections Committee as a committee of continuous existence (CCE). But a bill Gov. Rick Scott signed into law eliminates CCEs, a type of quasi-political action committee that virtually anyone, including candidates for office, could create that critics argued were ripe for abuse because they lacked limits on what expenditures were allowed.

As a result, PIC — and all other CCEs — must cease all operations and have a zero bank-account balance by Sept. 30.

At the same time the Florida Legislature was passing broad changes to the state’s campaign finance laws, the Florida Elections Commission (FEC) was investigating a complaint filed by Longboat Key Town Commission candidate Gene Jaleski alleging that PIC failed to register as a political committee when it advertised its endorsements for the March election.

The FEC determined that PIC “failed to register as a political committee and published a political advertisement that did not comply with statutory disclaimer requirements.”

Next month, the board will meet to discuss reorganizing as a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) organization “with the intent of continuing our educational mission without political overtones,” according to a letter the board sent PIC members last week.

 For more information, pick up a Sept. 5 copy of the Longboat Observer.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].