Nelson, House Lunch Room and Sunshine

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson stopped in at the Florida House's exclusive "members-only" dining room on the third floor of the capitol, and chatted it up with House members.

He inquired to a passing Buzz reporter:

"So what do you (media) guys do about the House members and that special lunch room that you can’t get into? Doesn’t that break the Sunshine law?"

Buzz: "Well, they’re not supposed to be talking about existing legislation.

Nelson: "Well, that didn't stop them from talking about it with me."

Comments

I bet he won't be invited back.

Anyone with any sense knows it's true. The question is, what, if anything, will be done about it?

Same goes for the bubble, and every other office in the Capitol that is on lockdown.

Damn Republican rulebreakers, same old song. Rules dont apply to them

Burp! Hey, no questions about Nelson's major role in creating Florida's insurance crisis while Insurance Commissioner?

[GOP Girl]

Sunshine? What sunshine?

All the sunshine is caught up in keeping Charlie tan.

1:43, don't you mean damn "legislators"? Republicans aren't the only ones who think the rules don't apply!

1:43 - Oh, I didnt realize that the "members only" dining room was only for Republicans. Get a grip. How many Republicans do you think would sit around talking shop with ol Bill?

[The Yellow Rose]

What a rat.

I wonder if this really happened?

Lots of Repubs were more than happy to talk with one of Florida's two US senators.
Jeeze, get real.

Let's remember, Senator Nelson, that the Sunshine Law as per statute, does not apply to the legislature. The rules, however, require a conversation between "more than two" House members to be in a public setting.

Howya like dem apples?

2:31

you are correct, but just to clarify, the HOUSE and/or SENATE rules require conversations between 2 or more legislators to be open and noticed to the public if they discuss legislation. But,yes, the sunshine law doesn't apply to legisltors. It is a shame most people don't know that, but complain that they are breaking laws that don't apply to them anyways.

All this is is an effort by Nelson to try to make the Republicans look bad. If the Dems were in charge (which isn't going to happen any time soon in FL) he wouldn't have said a word about it to the press. He got his little cheap shot in and now he can go back up north.

[thanks for nothing, bill]

That empty suit gladly filled himself with GOP groceries, while looking the gift horse in the gums.

[Paul D. Harvill]

Very interestin'

Perhaps further investigation by the appropriate agencies is required.