Florida congressmen and their free trips
Florida Trend: The increased scrutiny of privately funded trips and the resulting crackdown appear to have dampened some lawmakers’ appetites for jet-setting, according to records posted on LegiStorm, a Washington, D.C., organization that tracks congressional travel, as well as congressional salaries, financial disclosures and earmarks. Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Delray Beach), who took $174,004 worth of privately funded trips between 2000 and 2005, has not taken a single junket since July 2005 [“Top Traveler,” page 52].
Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Miami), who is currently running for U.S. Senate, also has curbed his privately funded travel. The 43-year-old Democrat has accepted more than $86,796 worth of free trips during his seven-year congressional career to, among others, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts and Nevis; Jerusalem; Delhi, India; and Doha, Qatar. Since November 2005, however, Meek hasn’t been on a private junket.
Even with the new constraints, Florida lawmakers have gotten approval for 72 trips valued at $153,140 over the past 23 months — although the trips tend to be less lavish than those under the previous rules.
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As Kendrick Meek might say, "I wonder what the poor people are doing today."
Posted by: Buzzard. | November 02, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Obama took your dollars and gave you change...So, how's that "change" working out for you? Is it better than your dollars..?
Posted by: Douglas Stewart | November 02, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Delray Beach), who took $174,004 worth of privately funded trips between 2000 and 2005,...PATHETIC!! Getting rich off the poor and public service....
Posted by: Douglas Stewart | November 02, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Where is the list of trips for our Governor ?
He was in Las Vegas fundraising this past week and in California ?
What a Non-Governor Crist is...
Posted by: Scott | November 02, 2009 at 12:56 PM
We have appointed officials also taking trips on the publics dime. Lisa Edgar of the Public Service Commission travels at the drop of a hat.
Posted by: Benji | November 02, 2009 at 01:31 PM
Only the democrats waste tax payers dollars. We would never do anything like that so vote for more Republicans. We can pay for our own trips with the kick backs we get from the lobbyist.
Posted by: True Republucan | November 02, 2009 at 02:00 PM
Alex Sink is the Queen of free trips here in Florida.
Posted by: BeltwayJohn | November 03, 2009 at 06:20 PM