Ana Ceballos
If Chris King becomes governor, he wants committee weeks to be held throughout the state — and not exclusively at the Capitol.
The Democratic gubernatorial candidate says he will champion legislation that would mandate committee weeks be held in “as many regions as possible” across the state to give constituents better access to state government.
“The location of our legislative process benefits individuals and organizations with the financial means and time to travel,” King said in a statement.
Historically, committee weeks have always been held at the Capitol, making this change a departure from the norm. But King said the “remoteness” of the Legislature is one of the reasons unethical behavior continues to occur in state government.
King envisions committee weeks being hosted at Florida public schools or universities ahead of Session, and once they are done, lawmakers will once again flock to the state Capitol to begin Session.
The Orlando entrepreneur also wants to push policies that support and protect victims of sexual misconduct. He wants to make sure any settlement made in a sexual misconduct case against an elected official is subject to a public record request, but the names of victims are confidential.
He also wants to have an eight-year lobbying ban for former members.
King is trailing former Congresswoman Gwen Graham and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum in the four-way 2018 Democratic primary. His campaign said Friday it raised $100,000 in November and that it has more than $1.6 million on hand.
