Governor hails 'integrity' of gift ban, makes it law [Jeb: No more gifts from lobbyists! Ever!]

The Orlando Sentinel ^ | Dec. 21, 2005 | John Kennedy

[summer]

Florida's Favorite Governor, Jeb Bush

TALLAHASSEE -- The wining and dining of Florida lawmakers by Capitol lobbyists was banned Tuesday under a sweeping ethics measure signed into law by Gov. Jeb Bush.

The prohibition on free meals, drinks and other gifts brings Florida into the forefront of states with the strictest gift prohibitions in the nation, experts say.

"Today's a very important day for integrity in government, integrity in the process," Bush said, in signing the legislation approved during a four-day special session earlier this month.

The measure also will force lobbyists to disclose for the first time the level of pay they receive, requiring quarterly reports filed with the state beginning in May.

Lobbyists outnumber Florida's 160 legislators by more than 12 to 1, and they spent more than $3 million in the first six months of this year to influence legislation.

Also covered by the gift ban are legislative staff, statewide elected officials and senior agency officials.

Even before Bush signed the bill, it was causing a stir in Tallahassee bars and restaurants.

Some major events planned for the spring session at the Capitol are already being put on hold or canceled because of the gift ban. ...

[summer]

Florida voters will certainly miss this governor... BTW, that photo above is from his homepage, not from the Sentinel article.

[summer]

FYI.

[Sonny M]

bump.

[darkwing104]

Florida voters will certainly miss this governor...

Yep

[summer]

They really will. Do you think i should make a film about him before he leaves office? I was thinking of asking him if I could just hang out there for a month before the Nov 2006 and film everything he does, and then edit it later. I think it would be good. A nice way to remember him. What do you think?

[summer]

FYI.

[llevrok]

Well, there goes the eBay paper weight market!

[Gay State Conservative]

Jeb Bush is just another example of the fact that the Bush familily has an overabundance of something that the Clintons, Kennedys and Kerrys would know if they tripped over it...

Class

[summer]

ROTFLMAO...

[antiRepublicrat]

Jeb never really impressed me, until now. It takes some balls to throw off the lobbyist yoke.

[Hank Rearden]

So buying politicians will require a bit more creativity in the future.

[summer]

LOL...only on FR, folks.

[TCats]

"The prohibition on free meals, drinks and other gifts brings Florida into the forefront of states with the strictest gift prohibitions in the nation, experts say."

Kudos to Jeb and the Fla Reps. Now, can we get this replicated at ALL levels of Gov't?

[summer]

He has made a lot of good moves while in office, across the board. He was a very pro-active governor, not one to just around and wait to react. He really had that thing called VISION.

[summer]

Yes, good point!

[Sonny M]

They really will. Do you think i should make a film about him before he leaves office? I was thinking of asking him if I could just hang out there for a month before the Nov 2006 and film everything he does, and then edit it later. I think it would be good. A nice way to remember him. What do you think?

I doubt he would allow it.

For a politician, he seems to have a good sense of humility and one of the smaller egos of all the governors.

He also comes across as more of a wonk kind of guy then a "grip and greet" and since he is not going to run for office in 2006 or 2008, he probably will just want to work hard and finish up his job.

I'd love to see a documentary on him, but I can't see him being okay with it.

[summer]

I don't know. I think he might not want just anyone to do it, but I think he would let me and crew from FR do it. He knows we all worked like crazy to get him re-elected. And there are some film people on this forum. I actually think he might say yes. I could be wrong, but, I don't know. I think he might go for it.

[summer]

For a politician, he seems to have a good sense of humility and one of the smaller egos of all the governors.

He also has a good sense of humor, and from a distance, he always seemed quite comfortable being himself. I, too, would like to take a closer look in a documentary about him before he says good bye as governor. He really loved his job in this state, and people really liked him. It will be a sad parting, that's for sure.

[alice_in_bubbaland]

My only hope is that Gov. Corslime here in NJ, would do the same.......Wow, what am I dreaming? Not in this corrupt State!

WTG Jeb!

[summer]

What, in New Jersey? HA HA HA!!!!!!!!! :)