Politics

Legislator decides not to travel at state expense

Rep. Janet Long already was wavering over a Boston conference. Then a constituent called.

By ALEX LEARY
Published July 12, 2007

Rep. Janet Long says she had been struggling whether to attend a national conference of legislators in Boston at taxpayer expense.

Then, on Monday, the first-term Seminole Democrat got a call from a chagrined constituent.

"He said, 'Gas prices are up, food prices are up and local governments are cutting back on their expenses, why would you think it's a good idea to fly out of state for the conference?' " Long recalled.

At 7:18 the following morning, Long notified the House that she did not intend to use state funds for the trip.

She already has plane tickets but hasn't made up her mind whether to go to the National Conference of State Legislatures. And if she does, she said, it will be on her own dime.

Long's decision underscores the challenges other lawmakers face, and at least one other local representative has had a change of heart about going.

Their names were included in a St. Petersburg Times story Monday and column Tuesday that noted that nearly 80 legislators had filed for state-paid travel to Philadelphia this month and Boston next month at a taxpayer cost of at least $125,000. Some staff members also are attending.

House members can seek reimbursement for $1,250 each and senators can expense $1,500. The trips would have normally gained little attention, but the state is facing a $1-billion shortfall and the Legislature has ordered local governments to slash billions in expenses as part of the property tax changes.

Rep. Bill Heller, D-St. Petersburg, said Wednesday he has decided not to go to Boston, citing his own decision as well as some of the public criticism.

"If other people have to cut back, I think I should, too," Heller said.

Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, said Wednesday he intends to use unspent campaign funds to pay his way to Boston. That's an option Rep. John Legg, R-Port Richey, also is taking.

Lawmakers are allowed to set aside a certain amount of contributions after each election and use that money for travel and other expenses.

But others maintain the trips are worthwhile uses of state money.

"It's part of my job," said Sen. Dennis Jones, R-Seminole, who is headed to the American Legislative Exchange Council conference in Philadelphia later this month.

Noting the state's struggle with rising property insurance and taxes, Jones said, "If we're going to find solutions, we've got to look outside Florida."

State Sen. Charlie Justice feels similarly.

"It's all perception," the St. Petersburg Democrat said. "A politician going on travel is never a popular thing." Justice said he made the decision to go long before a $1-billion state budget shortfall was revealed last month.

In all, 13 area lawmakers were on the list to attend on state travel. Others contacted Wednesday said they had not changed their minds about how to finance the trip, including Rep. Rick Kriseman, D-St. Petersburg, and Rep. Ron Reagan, R-Bradenton.

Others could not be reached for comment. As of Wednesday, no House members except Long had withdrawn their travel request and no senators had.

[Last modified July 12, 2007, 03:43:33]