Lawmakers surprised, saddened by indictment

House members returned to a floor session on the budget when the news of Rep. Ray Sansom's indictment broke. The first few who were available to speak had not yet seen the grand jury's 10-page report, which also is highly critical of the power of special interest money in the Capitol and the high level of secrecy that surrounds the budget process.

Members of both parties expressed sympathy for Sansom and his family.

"I think we're a little taken aback. Nobody expected it," said Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City. Told of the report's criticism of the secrecy of the appropriations process, the second-term lawmaker said: "I can understand where public opinion would find that type of concern." He cited instances in which lawmakers are asked to vote on 50- or 60-page rewrites of complex bills, referred to as strike-all amendments. 

"Ray Sansom is a friend and I feel for him and his family," said Rep. Bill Galvano, the Bradenton Republican who was Sansom's most serious rival for the speakership he had to forfeit. Galvano, a lawyer, said when grand juries are convened, "they will more often than not bring forth an indictment." 

"We're trying not to make it a focus in there. It's just sad," said Rep. Janet Long, D-Seminole. "But there's a difference between being indicted and being convicted."

"Everybody's reading the blogs, but nobody's talking about it very much," said Rep. Ron Saunders, D-Key West. "I think they're surprised by the severity of the charges. We're trying to tell people than an indictment is not a conviction."

Comments

[Peter Janet]

And this is how fellow degenerates respond when one of their own gets caught…

"I think we're a little taken aback. Nobody expected it,"

"I can understand where public opinion would find that type of concern."

"Ray Sansom is a friend and I feel for him and his family,"

"We're trying not to make it a focus in there. It's just sad,"

"But there's a difference between being indicted and being convicted."

"Everybody's reading the blogs, but nobody's talking about it very much,"

"I think they're surprised by the severity of the charges. We're trying to tell people than an indictment is not a conviction."

… and we have the audacity to wonder why our State is on the brink of total collapse.

If life gives you lemons; make lemonade… If uninformed and malleable voters give criminals; make you and your buddies some money until you get caught.

[...]

"I think we're a little taken aback. Nobody expected it," said Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City

Really Jimmy did you not happen to read the freaking facts of the case? It's pretty simple Jimbo...he spent 6 MILLION DOLLARS OF TAXPAYER MONEY TO BUILD A BUDDY OF HIS A GARAGE FOR HIS JET!!!

Believe it or not, taxpayers and voters actually frown on this sort of thing. You're either an idiot or a fellow crook if you don't understand this.

Go back to the restaurant Jimmy, you're an idiot.

[Senators Fasano and Jones Supported the Spending]

Fiscal Responsibility Quiz

While we have read a lot about the financial boondoggles supported by the former Republican Speaker, do you know who else voted for the $6M for the airport hanger and $25M for Northwest Florida State College?

That's right!

Republican Senator Dennis Jones
Republican Senator Mike Fasano

Republican Representative Tom Anderson
Republican Representative Ed Hooper
Republican Representative James Frishe
Republican Representative Peter Nehr

[Kinda Makes You Wonder]

Makes you wonder if things would have been different had the St Pete Times and her Liberal Bedfellows nationally put the same time and effort into Chairman Obama's background and dealings.

For example:

Who paid for Obama's college education?

When will he release his College transcripts, applications and so forth?

Was he accepted on merit, athletics, affirmative action or other?

Where and how did he manage to raise $1 Billion for his campaign?

Where is a donor list?

How much was from overseas?

This is an example of good investigative journalism. It is too bad that the SP Times and others only apply these standards when the target is a Republican or Conservative. Maybe that is why no one is buying newspapers anymore.

[Bark for Mr. Sansom, bark!]

Republican Senator Dennis Jones
Republican Senator Mike Fasano

Republican Representative Tom Anderson
Republican Representative Ed Hooper
Republican Representative James Frishe
Republican Representative Peter Nehr

Teabaggers all.

[D]

Interesting. Such empathy and sympathy from both Republican and Democratic colleagues. Given what Samson did, why the "surprise" and sympathy? Is it because it gives the other corrupt politicians reason to fear that maybe they could get caught to, and that the system will not always protect them?

[Blazin]

All this bedfellow weeping for Sansom is a perfect example of the only things that are truly bi-partisan at all levels of politics… To wit: waste, dysfunction, and corruption!

But what do I know; “Mongo only pawn in game of life.”

[Bear]

Kinda Makes You Wonder- They did look into it and there was nothing there to investigate! Get over it!

[terminator]

hopefully this will be the jolt politicians in Tallahassee receive to let them know "business as usual" and cozying up to monied interests just won't cut it anymore.
the people are fed up!

[Angry Taxpayer!]

They didn't expect it because that's the way they DO BUSINESS in the Legislature.

No morals, no ethics - just there to line their pockets and fleece the taxpayer!

They are scum who are gutting the state, protecting their friends, and using the state treasury for their own benefit - think CSX.

[H-D Man]

Jommy Patronis is a real piece of work so I won't listen to him one bit. I remember him on the Ethics Commission where he railroaded a 'real good man'. A Real Good Man.. so if any one knows anything he's done that's not quite kosher, please let me know and I will let bigger folks know.

Justice is what Ray's deal is all about. Meigs used the words "solely" and "singularly" in re PECO and Sansom. That, IMO, is real big!

Now back to JP, a man I will convince you of his lack of ethics, I want justice. Keep the link under your notepad and I will guarantee reward. That's a promise! He makes my blood boil over what I know. Help me!