Matt Dixon, (@Mdixon55)
To avoid the appearance of conflicts, many lawmakers said they would not raise campaign cash leading into a June special session where they will write the state’s roughly $80 billion budget.
Taking four or five-figure checks days before finalizing the state budget from donors with items in the state budget, they said, was something they wanted to avoid.
“My suggestion would be that fundraising be suspended until which time we get a budget,” Senate Budget Chief Tom Lee, R-Brandon, told reporters in the waning days of regular session.
But the contentious race to become the next Senate president featuring state senators. Joe Negron of Stuart and Jack Latvala of Clearwater appear to trump any perception concerns.
“2016 is a very important election cycle for the Florida Senate,” Negron said in a statement. “Our team is committed to raising the necessary resources we need to protect our current Senators and win open seats.”