One last night of decadence

[Members of the Florida Legislature, lobbyists and members of the media mingle at the Associated Industries of Florida party Monday night. Scott Keeler | Times]

Heaping plates of fresh shrimp, carving stations of prime rib, cherries jubilee -- and liquor flowing like water. That was the scene Monday at Associated Industries of Florida as the business giant hosted its annual pre-session bash for legislators, lobbyists, media, business people and others in Tallahassee.

Faces in the crowd included Sen. Al Lawson, Rep. Marty Bowen, Allan Katz, John Wark, Marnie George, Rep. Adam Hasner, Steve Uhlfelder, Vivian Myrtetus, Jack Cory, Anne Mackenzie, Richard Pinsky, Jeff Ryan, CFO Alex Sink, Sen. Charlie Dean, Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, Chris Mobley, and Rep. Joe Gibbons.

The nice evening brought out a big crowd but there appeared to be light attendance among legislators. That might have had something to do with the requirement that lawmakers and staffers regulated by the ban on gifts, meals and drinks had to pay their way at $32 a person.

On Tuesday, the Legislature gets down to the business at hand of shrinking the state budget, by $543-million this year, up to $2.5-billion next. Come to think of it, what better metaphor for this session than a carving station?      

Comments

Isn't that Special! They're getting together to eat the fat of the hog just before they cut to the bone the state budget - after all the children, the elderly, and the handicapped just aren't nearly as much fun as lobbyists from CSX and the insurance companies!!!!!

One LAST night of decadence - You've got to be kidding right? This was just the FIRST night of the next 60 days of their DECADENCE!!!

Private dining rooms, boot days - too bad Farkas isn't around to get them their free massages anymore.

Life is so tough for these "special" people during session!

Big news. Some people paid for a $30 buffet. I fail to see how that's a scandal.

So, how much did we taxpayers have to pay for the insurance rider to cover an evening of drunken, gluttonous, criminal activity… or did the boys throw the coverage in free-of-charge as a payback for the Legislature’s failure to address an issue causing Floridians to lose their homes?

Another fine reporting job Bousquet. Why the Washington Post still has not hired you to be their political editor baffles me everyday.

There were more members of the press corps there than legislators. Wow, our town is so upside down!

Yep. Just what I want to do on a Monday before session when there is so much to do to solve the problems of the state...hang out with reporters, lobbyists, young staffers, and a hadnful of legislators who are not making decisions. Yes our priorities are upside down.

This event isn't what it used to be. This is the only event the press gets to attend so it makes them feel special. That's why we have this article.

Yep, the real deals goes on in behind closed doors and in the "private" dinning rooms!