Contract tailored for Bush ex-aide

The Education Department prepares a $50,000 contract for the governor's campaign spokesman.

By LUCY MORGAN, Times Tallahassee Bureau Chief

© St. Petersburg Times
published January 29, 2003

TALLAHASSEE -- State education officials plan to give a $50,000, no-bid contract to the governor's campaign spokesman to develop a communications strategy "consistent with the governor's vision."

The state Department of Education is advertising for the job, but it was created for Todd Harris, communications director for Gov. Jeb Bush's re-election campaign last year.

The decision comes as the governor has proposed millions of dollars in budget cuts for Florida universities.

Although the department is advertising for applicants, Education Commissioner Jim Horne made it clear the job was created for Harris.

Horne said he wanted someone who could develop a communications policy for the department. "I just need some help, and I thought Todd was uniquely qualified," Horne explained Tuesday. "Reading is our No. 1 issue. Who better for it than the person who was responsible for the governor's message?"

Horne said the department's past communications strategy has been "to wait for y'all to beat us up and we defend ourselves."

Harris will take a hard look at how the entire education establishment communicates internally and externally and help recruit staff to handle the job, Horne said.

Harris will be paid in five $10,000 increments. He could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

The move is the latest sign that Republicans running state government are looking for new ways to shape their message to Floridians.

House Speaker Johnnie Byrd has greatly expanded the size of his communications staff and is seeking proposals from telecommunications companies to make thousands of telephone calls soliciting ideas from Floridians.

Byrd's communications staff now totals seven employees instead of the single staffer who worked for his predecessor, Tom Feeney. Todd Reid, Byrd's communications director, says the staff produces news releases for House Democrats as well as Republicans.

Press aides say Byrd wants to expose the Legislature to more people and plans to provide television feeds to small markets and cable outlets.

-- Times Staff Writer Steve Bousquet contributed to this report.

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