DBPR fails to collect fees

Freshman Representative Michelle Rahwinkel Vasilinda (D) is making headlines by calling for the collection of state sales tax on Internet purchases made by Floridians. Although she is mistakenly touting her idea as not a “new” tax (Florida does not have the authority to enforce its state laws beyond its borders, so we can’t collect tax on out-of-state sales), her efforts are more about politics and headlines than about fixing Florida’s ever-growing budget deficit since she cannot do what she proposes without Federal legislation. Perhaps her fellow Democrap, US Senator Bill Nelson, would be willing to help.


Vasilinda could better spend her time and serve her constituency and the citizens of Florida by focusing on that which she has the authority to change. And to that end she should do everything she can to ensure that agencies charged with collecting taxes are doing so fairly and efficiently.


The Department of Business and Professional Regulation and Secretary Chuck Drago is one such agency that allows politics to get in the way of its business. Seems Mr. Drago is giving Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association President Carol Dover a pass on fees owed to the state. The FRLA provides training to businesses on the safe handling of food, and a portion of the money paid for this training goes to DBPR.

But not for Ms. Dover, who bought this portion of her Association from Regulatory Compliance Services, Inc, which is owned by Jim Greer, Chair of the Florida Republican Party. Greer’s business, which has several links on the FRLA website, provides consulting services and training to Dover’s membership in the lodging and alcoholic beverage industry.


Drago also has a personal and professional relationship with Greer dating back to his days as Oviedo’s Chief of Police while Greer was an Oviedo city council member. When Governor Crisp took office, Greer placed Drago as the Deputy Secretary of Business Regulation, which directly oversees the two Divisions regulating the hotel and alcoholic beverage industries. But Governor Crisp saw no conflict of interest there, and a short time later promoted him to Secretary at DBPR.


It doesn’t take much effort to play connect the dots with these relationships and see the favoritism, real or suspected, granted by Drago to Dover and other members of Greer‘s business. Rep. Rahwinkel Vasilinda and other legislators should do everything in their power to stop Drago’s actions and require the fair collection of monies owed the state.


Governor Crisp pledged to establish an ethical administration and to appoint leaders with integrity while working to earn the trust of Florida’s citizens. As it relates to Mr. Drago, he certainly has failed, but Rep. Rahwinkel Vasilinda has an opportunity to change that.