Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Session eve fete no longer freebie for lawmakers?
A new no-gifts law may force them to pay for their tickets to a lobbying group's annual March soiree.
Associated Press
Published December 13, 2005
TALLAHASSEE - The best free ticket in Tallahassee in early March may cost something next year - at least for lawmakers.
Associated Industries of Florida, a powerful lobby for business interests, may have to charge legislators to attend the opulent soiree it throws every year on the eve of the legislative session. It's where lobbyists and legislators mingle over cocktails, shrimp and other fare.
For the legislative and lobbying sets, the complimentary ticket is the one to have as the session approaches.
Legislators last week voted to ban all gifts to themselves. That would include the free admission to the AIF party.
AIF president Barney Bishop said Monday the organization is talking to lawyers about how it can still have legislators at the party, but it may have to ask them to pay for their tickets.
"We'll be happy to charge members" of the Legislature if that's what the law requires, Bishop said. "We're going to do it in a legal fashion."
About 2,000 people usually attend the party, held on the outdoor patio in the historic home that houses AIF, a couple of blocks from the Governor's Mansion. It is considered the kickoff to the annual two-month spring legislative session.
[Last modified December 13, 2005, 01:30:24]
Share your thoughts on this story
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
|
News
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
Print
Email story
Comment
Email editor