TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — After negative publicity and critical audits, the administration of Gov. Rick Scott is suspending a program that allowed state workers to make charitable donations.
Participation in the charity drive had plummeted since the Scott administration shifted control from the United Way of Florida to a New Jersey company called Solix. In 2014 and 2015, the company wound up getting paid more than it was distributing to charities.
State employees this fall pledged to give $280,000 to local charities. But Solix stood to earn $180,000 in fees.
Department of Management Services Secretary Chad Poppell asked Solix to lower its fees, but the company said it couldn’t reduce costs any further.
Poppell then agreed to terminate the state’s contract with Solix. His decision to suspend the program was first reported by The Tallahassee Democrat.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.