The Florida Legislature is into its fourth session in four months, and House Speaker Johnnie Byrd couldn't be happier. Where other lawmakers may see controversy and contention, he sees dollar signs.
This is how Jon Shebel, president of Associated Industries of Florida, describes the cheerful work of Byrd. "He did, in this particular instance, call us," Shebel told a reporter. "He said, "I'm gearing up my fundraising.' I said, "The check will be in the mail today.' "
No wonder it's a great day in Florida.
Byrd now admits something he has refused to say, but has been readily apparent, for the past year. He is preparing to run for U.S. Senate.
The way Byrd prepares, mind you, is akin to the way a bank teller begins work each morning - hauling cash from the vault and lining it up into neat rows. But in his case, the vault is a phone directory of the state's business lobbyists, and his haul is what most observers would call a shakedown. That he would do so as his House is debating issues that affect the livelihoods of these lobbyists simply shows where his priorities lie.
In June alone, Byrd hauled in $118,000 in checks written to a political committee he controls. The checks included: $25,000 from the ever-eager Shebel, $15,000 from lobbyist Ron Book, $12,500 from AT&T, $5,000 from the Florida Phosphate Council, $5,000 from HMO lobbyist Larry Overton & Associates, $5,000 from a Kentucky health care group called Almost Family.
The point of this exercise in political extortion, explains Byrd, is to give himself "a presence in the Republican leadership." Voters might expect Byrd would have a presence in the state House, which is where his job is supposed to be keeping him busy these days.
But at least people now can better understand why he hired a communications staff, at public expense, of 13 people - 12 more than the Senate president. They know why he paid for photo studios and video productions, at public expense. They know why he takes such pleasure in repeated special sessions, with the repetition it brings of his name printed in newspapers across the state. At least House members know now why they have been asked to serve as his backdrop.
Byrd says Floridians will want him as their U.S. senator because he's a "standup guy." From the looks of his campaign to date, what he's doing is more like a stickup.
