Another item of real concern for nonprofits is a bill proposed by Senator Ronda Storms that would impose a salary cap on nonprofit executive compensation. SB 596 would prohibit nonprofits executives of agencies that receive 2/3 of their funding from either state appropriated funds, or state appropriated federal funds from being paid more than the highest paid elected official in Florida (currently $128,972.) WCTV in Tallahassee gives a summary of the bill and why Sen. Storms proposed it:
“As the 2012 session approaches, Florida’s 20 community based care agencies, which take on some of the state’s child welfare work, are preparing for intense scrutiny by a Senate committee that plays a key role in their oversight
Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Brandon and chair of the Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs, wants another round of data for an interim project already delayed examining the CBCs finances. She also filed a bill that would cap salaries at non-governmental organizations funded primarily by taxpayers, including the CBCs.
“I’m going to try to increase their accountability this session,” she said
In the past, Storms has been a strong supporter of the ten-year-old CBC system. But now, she says, “Its time to readjust the responsibility level.”
Her salary-cap bill would “force the CBCs to account for their executive salaries and they should. They absolutely should,” Storms said. “I think its offensive to the taxpayers for some of these people to hold up little children as the defense, as the shield, for why they’re making $300,000.”
Florida’s 20 CBC lead agencies have contracts worth a total of $756 million for the current fiscal year, said Department of Children and Families spokesman Joe Follick.”
For those interested in tracking this bill, or any bill in Tallahassee, you can create a free account and track bills using the sites for the Florida Senate and the Florida House.