A lobbyist plays for time -- and wins

Florida prison boss Jim McDonough wants to get into the ring sooner rather than later with PRIDE, the private firm that he says does a poor job of finding jobs for inmates. The corrections secretary thought he had Dec. 13 nailed down for a hearing before Tampa Sen. Victor Crist's Senate committee -- but that was before PRIDE lobbyist Guy Spearman went to work.

After seeing a St. Petersburg Times story about the hearing, Spearman told Crist of planned rotator cuff surgery and of PRIDE counsel Wilbur Brewton's planned holiday trip to Thailand to see his daughter (read Spearman's letter here). "Victor this is NOT a delay tactic," Spearman wrote. "This is a scheduling conflict for the two people that have the most personal knowledge and the longest time with PRIDE."

Crist said the fair way was to wait until January, and that he would have done the same if the state asked. "I trust Chairman Crist's judgment on this matter," McDonough said. "It does seem odd, however, to request a postponement because two lobbyists are out of town. I'm prepared to speak for myself. I would expect PRIDE can do the same."   

Comments

Does he still have that facial hair?

Who Victor?

God he's a momma's boy.

why should state taxpayer dollars be spent on finding ex-cons jobs? we already give them free internet access and an education while they're in - use Monster.com like the rest of us!!!!

Probably because if they don't find jobs, then they end up burglarizing and robbing people....right?

Soilent Green their a*ses!

Crist, you should step up and be a leader on this. Send the lobbyists packing Victor, it is the right thing to do. You will never come out well pandering to these sleezy lobbyists. Spearman and Brewton are going to bring you down!

I wonder what McDonough's reaction would be if the hearing was scheduled while he was out of town?

We'd see lots of ink on how Crist is trying to shaft corrections, which it's perfectly capable of doing on its own.

Yawn.

I smell something fishy.

Wow.

Crist giving deference to someone with a 20 year track record at the legislature and who is held in high regard by many legislators.

And the problem is?

spearman is all about money and access. this is what is wrong with the system. It is time that legislators did what is right and not listen to big contributors.

[Omega83]

8:08 like I said, they can use the free internet we provide them to find thier jobs...its a perpetuation of the laziness that got them in trouble in the first place that continues when we, the taxpayers, subsidize it...

Florida wanted term limits and got them. (Be careful what you wish for.) In return, legislators are faced with so many issues they don't develop a depth of knowledge about very many areas and must rely on somebody for information. At this point, that's what lobbyists provide - for better or for worse.

Lobbyists and legislative staff didn't have nearly so much power before term limits.

[ginger]

What is wrong with rescheduling? Spearman and Brewton helped created PRIDE so they have the knowledge that no one else does. It makes sense that the two people with the most knowledge are at any meeting or hearing. It has nothing to do with access and contributions. If this was a meeting with a non-profit (read--non profits do not give donations), I expect the same courtesy would be extended.

if the program was working the hearing would not even be necessary.-

[Bob Sloan]

PRIDE has flaunted corruption as if it were a "company product" since 1990. Mr. Spearman, Ron LaFace and Brewton have all been involved in selling PRIDE to both the public and Government of Florida - while covering up for and attempting to legalize the corporation's improper and sometime illegal activities: spin-offs, improper loans, other violations of Florida and Federal laws - those concerning the federal PIECP program, to mention just the tip of the iceberg.
If PRIDE wishes to continue to exist, they should be prepared to appear at the hearing and speak for themselves. After all, if McDonough hired a top lobbyist to present his case for PRIDE's dissolution he'd be accused of squandering tax payer dollars. PRIDE wants to bring in the high paid gunslingers so they can continue to use their corporate position to increase yearly profits at the same tax payer's expense.

[Robert]

08:56...by the way...the inmates have never had internet access and due to budget cuts years back, the FDOC had to cut all basic and vocational training programs except for the GED program.

McDonough asked PRIDE at the July 2006 Board meeting to assist the FDOC in developing basic educational programs in an effort to provide an education to the inmates in an effort to reduce recidivism. Of course PRIDE declined to participate.

Crist is a good legislator but is not in with leadership anymore. He will not do well under Atwater. The word is he will have no senior standing. It is a shame that the members that should be in leadership positions won't be. There is no respect for seniority anymore.

[stephen]

Senator Crist is being so nice to Senator Fasano. The word in Tallahassee is that Senator Crist is asking for recommendations from lobbyist that he has helped out through the years, that are close to Senator Fasano in hopes that soon to be Congressman Fasano, would hire Senator Crist as his aide. Senator Crist has alot to offer Fasano in the areas of crminal justice.

6:42 Senator Fasano would be better off making Victor Crist his Chief of staff. Crist's criminal justice experience may help Fasano a great deal.

Didn't Fasano just send out a press statement stating that Sen.Victor Crist was not doing his job to help one of his counties because he never showed up there? Why would Fasano want to have him as his aide in Congress

Crist is full of hot air. Not a good legislator. He loves to hear the sound of his own voice and he and Fasano do not even pretend to get along.

8:48 Fasano hates Crist and did send out something to that effect. I cannot believe that Fasano would want to hire Crist if he went to Congress. If fasnao stays in the State Legislature, he will be in leadership positions and Crist will not be.

There is no respect for seniority anymore.

Posted by: | December 05, 2007 at 09:43 PM
============

Not much respect for wisdom should Atwater become the next Senate President.

Senator Victor Crist is an excellent example of someone who should and must be in a leadership role.

[stephen]

2:38 Then why does he just accept the role of follower? He should be a leader in the Senate.

[Dis]

Sen. Crist, what the heck are you doing? Blood suckers like Spearman and Brewton are the problem. Ask these lobbyists how much they've been paid since PRIDE started... McDonough is a good man, give him his shot at fixing this mess. Put the rest of PRIDE's thieves out to pasture.

Sen. Crist, what the heck are you doing? Leaches like Spearman and Brewton are the problem. Ask these lobbyists (under oath) how much they've been paid since PRIDE started... McDonough is a good man, give him his shot at fixing this mess. Put the rest of PRIDE's "public servants" out to pasture.

PRIDE's been down this road before. They contracted with Chiles Communications to help previously when they had bad press. I wonder who was governor at that time? Let's see if the republicans are any different.