Miami Shores council member resigns ahead of new Florida lobbying law taking effect
A Miami Shores Village councilwoman resigned ahead of a new Florida law, which goes into effect this weekend, that would prohibit certain elected officials from lobbying for six years after they leave office.
Crystal Wagar told the Miami Herald on Friday that she had submitted her resignation. “When I ran to serve my community, I did so by highlighting my more than two decades of public service and government experience in both the private and public sectors,” Wagar wrote in her resignation letter that was emailed to village officials Thursday.
Wagar, who is a registered lobbyist with The Southern Group, wrote that due to a judge’s ruling this week on a lawsuit challenging the new law, “I cannot continue to serve out the remainder of my term, which is deeply regrettable.”
Her resignation comes a week after Wagar and four other Florida politicians filed a lawsuit seeking to temporarily block the new law from taking effect on Saturday. Miami U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom denied the request at an emergency hearing on Thursday. The court is scheduled to hear arguments in the case on Jan. 27.
READ MORE: Florida’s extended lobbying ban faces legal challenge
The Constitutional Prohibition Against Lobbying by a Public Officer implements a constitutional amendment that voters approved in 2018 that prohibits lobbying by certain public officials while in office. It extends the period of time that certain elected officials are prohibited from lobbying after leaving office from two years to six years.
To avoid having to wait six years before working for a lobbying firm, the official would have to resign before the law goes into effect this weekend.
“As part of my law practice, I do represent clients in front of government bodies which requires registering as a lobbyist,” Wagar wrote, adding that she believes the law will be “deemed unconstitutional.”
Wagar’s resignation is the second by a village council member this month. Katia Saint Fleur resigned Dec. 6. The council appointed longtime attorney Timothy Crutchfield to replace Saint Fleur.
This story was originally published December 30, 2022 at 5:57 PM.
