Floridians for Common Sense

Floridians for Common Sense
Name	Floridians for Common Sense
Founded	1998
Founder	Mike Scannell
Location	Tallahassee, Florida
Focus	Public policy advocacy
Motto	"Common sense solutions for Florida"

Floridians for Common Sense is a Florida-based advocacy group founded in 1998 that has engaged in policy debates, electoral politics, and public outreach in the state of Florida. It has interacted with numerous policymakers, media outlets, civic organizations, and political figures across state and national arenas, shaping discussions on taxation, insurance, tort reform, and healthcare. The organization has been active in coalition-building and campaign activities that connect to a wide array of elected officials, think tanks, media personalities, and interest groups.

History

Floridians for Common Sense was established during a period of heightened political activity in the late 1990s that included the administrations of Jeb Bush, the influence of George W. Bush, and national debates involving Newt Gingrich and Bob Dole. The group’s early work intersected with state-level events such as the 2000 United States presidential election in Florida, litigation following the Bush v. Gore dispute, and policy shifts led by the Florida Legislature and the Florida Supreme Court (1869–present). Its campaigns often overlapped with initiatives by organizations like the Heritage Foundation, the American Legislative Exchange Council, and the American Enterprise Institute while engaging commentators associated with The New York Times, The Washington Post, Tampa Bay Times, and Miami Herald. Over time the group engaged with national actors including Karl Rove, Rudy Giuliani, Sarah Palin, and interest groups such as the National Rifle Association of America, the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, and United States Chamber of Commerce affiliates in Florida.

Mission and Activities

The stated mission emphasizes pragmatic policy positions on state-level issues, often aligning with priorities promoted by figures like Ron DeSantis, Marco Rubio, and Charlie Crist at various times. Activities have included public education campaigns, ballot initiative advocacy, and litigation support connected to cases appearing before courts like the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. The group has engaged in advertising campaigns using outlets such as Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, and local stations in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville while collaborating with nonprofits including The Pew Charitable Trusts, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and regional groups like the Florida Policy Institute. Policy efforts have touched on insurance markets affected by companies such as Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, State Farm, and Allstate Insurance Company and regulatory matters involving the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.

Leadership and Organization

Leadership has included founders and directors who have interacted with state officials like Rick Scott, Bill Nelson, Anitere Flores, and Marco Rubio staffers. Organizational structure has mirrored other advocacy groups such as Common Cause, Americans for Prosperity, and League of Women Voters of Florida with campaign committees, legal counsel, and communications teams that engage with law firms and consultants connected to figures like Patricia Naples and Chris Hand. The group has coordinated with county party organizations including the Republican Party of Florida and the Democratic Party of Florida in various initiatives while maintaining relations with civic institutions like Florida International University, University of Florida, Florida State University, and think tanks such as the James Madison Institute and the Florida TaxWatch organization.

Political Involvement and Advocacy

Floridians for Common Sense has been active in ballot measure campaigns alongside coalitions including People United for Medical Marijuana, opponents of measures tied to Amendment 4 (2018 Florida amendment), and proponents or critics of initiatives involving figures like Charlie Crist and Andrew Gillum. The group has participated in issue advocacy during gubernatorial contests involving Jeb Bush, Charlie Crist, Rick Scott, and Ron DeSantis, and has run ads featuring commentary about federal actors including Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden. Its advocacy has intersected with legislative battles over tort reform championed by organizations like the Florida Justice Reform Institute and healthcare debates involving Florida Medicaid and federal statutes such as the Affordable Care Act.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding sources have included individual donors, political action committees, and partnerships with statewide business groups such as the Florida Chamber of Commerce and regional affiliates of the National Federation of Independent Business. The group has accepted financial and in-kind support from networks connected to national funders like the Koch network, philanthropies including the Gates Foundation (in broader policy circles), and state-level donors tied to businesses operating in sectors such as insurance, healthcare, and real estate represented by firms like Citi, Wells Fargo, and regional developers. It has partnered on campaigns with nonprofit organizations like The Heritage Foundation, Progress Florida, and advocacy outfits such as Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America on shared or opposing issues.

Controversies and Criticism

The organization has faced criticism from progressive groups such as MoveOn.org Political Action, Everytown for Gun Safety, and Florida Rising for policy positions and campaign messaging, and scrutiny from investigative reporters at outlets including PolitiFact, ProPublica, and Miami Herald investigations. Legal challenges and public disputes have involved adversaries like Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, American Civil Liberties Union, and campaign opponents allied with figures such as Gwen Graham and Andrew Gillum. Allegations at times centered on transparency of funding comparable to debates involving Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, coordination questions similar to controversies around Cambridge Analytica, and critiques related to advertising tactics used in high-profile contests like the 2000 United States presidential election in Florida and subsequent gubernatorial races.

Category:Political advocacy groups in Florida