First Haridopolos, now Lynn

By LUCY MORGAN
Times Senior Correspondent

TALLAHASSEE — At a time when Florida’s universities are facing millions of dollars in budget cuts, Florida State University has hired a prominent state senator to coordinate a new reading program in her home county.

Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach, is being paid $120,000 a year to work on a program she helped create and fund.

Lynn also happens to be chairwoman of the Senate’s Higher Education Appropriations Committee, with great influence over university budgets.

“It’s just a coincidence,’’ said FSU President T.K. Wetherell, a former House speaker and appropriations chair who is widely known for his wily political dealings with the Legislature.

“I see no conflict considering we have no money this year,’’ Lynn said when asked if the new job is appropriate for a lawmaker with so much influence over university budgets.

The job makes Lynn a “triple dipper.’’ She draws a $3,100 a month retirement check that she earned as a career educator in Volusia County, her $31,000 a year legislative salary, and $120,000 a year from FSU.

Lynn, 78, has a doctorate in education from the University of Florida and was a teacher, reading and language arts supervisor and assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in Volusia County before retiring in 1989.

Lynn is the second senator hired by one of the state’s major universities this year, the latest example of part-time jobs given to lawmakers by public institutions with budgets that depend on the Legislature.

The University of Florida hired Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, chairman of the Senate Finance and Tax Committee. He is paid $75,000 a year as a lecturer, a salary more in line with those paid to tenured professors.

Haridopolos, 38, has a masters degree, the minimum requirement for lecturers at UF, and is working on his doctorate. His hiring has caused an uproar among some UF faculty members who say budget cuts are forcing the university to hire fewer instructors and deal with larger class sizes.

Both senators were hired without an open search for other candidates for the jobs, and both are allowed time off during legislative sessions.

Lynn started work at FSU in late September 2007. She said she is taking unpaid leave time during March and April to tend to legislative duties, but will still handle some job responsibilities on weekends and during free time.

She said the job is likely to be a one-year assignment just to help FSU get a reading research outreach center established at Daytona Beach Community College.

Lynn helped create the reading program when she was chairwoman of the Senate’s elementary and secondary education committee in 2006. Then last year, as chair of the higher ed appropriations committee, she pushed to budget $1-million for the FSU center.

Wetherell says the university needed someone who could help get access to schools in Volusia County, and he knew of Lynn’s past experience.

“Plus she is from Daytona and I know her, I take care of my Daytona people,’’ Wetherell joked. He is a Daytona Beach native and worked at the Daytona Beach college while he served in the Legislature from 1980 to 1992.

“It certainly gives the appearance of a problem,’’ said Ben Wilcox, executive director of Common Cause, the citizens group.

“The Legislature has very weak conflict of interest standards. To the general public or anyone looking at it from an objective point of view, it doesn’t look good. It looks like her position helped her get this job.’’

Lucy Morgan can be reached at lmorgan@sptimes.com or (850) 224-7263.

Comments

[Lee]

These people are just runnin' the government like a business, then, right? Isn't that what the businessmen scream for? Being a public servant isn't like becoming a priest, you don't have to take a vow of poverty. Well, the newspaper is skitso when it comes to this issue. They bow to money and power, then criticize public officials when they EARN money through their powerful positions.

This is a non-story. The lady is earning her keep doing more than one thing. So?

Lucy's pension and job are not paid for with taxpayer dollars.

[Lee]

I love ya, Lucy. But, am I mistaken or did YOU retire last year? Are you double dippin'?

[Dave W]

The FSU deal is pretty shady, but the pension and state salary are fine. I would expect nothing less from FSU than shady dealings, however.

[Billy Bob]

gerry listen to Rodger and quit whinning.
The world is a terrible unfair place. Get a job,any job, and if you're as good as you think you are you'll be promoted in no time.
Or start your own thing. Nobody owes you anything! Go out and get it for yourself.

gerry clearly you don't need a job THAT badly because if you did, you wouldn't mind getting a job at walmart or cleaning hotel rooms. you would accept whatever you could get, despite you thinking you're over-qualified. don't stick your nose up at jobs like walmart or cleaning hotel rooms because if not for them, you wouldn't have a place to shop and would be sleeping in a dirty hotel room. quit complaining about not being able to get a job when there are plenty of places out there hiring. beggars can't be choosers.

[Rodger]

BOTTOM LINE GERRY, IF YOU WANTED A JOB BAD ENOUGH YOU WOULD BE WORKING. SOUNDS TO ME LIKE YOU CHASE JOBS NOT A CAREER.

[Billy Bob]

Maybe we should attack the evil Repukeicans with the Lily White Clean Demoncratic Army (ER Army vs LWCD Army)? Will be a hell of a battle Good vs Evil.

Everyone knows that Repukeicans are natural born baby killers. They even torture defenseless cute kittens and puppies. Ohhhh, makes you sick!

Demoncrats love their mothers. They always help old ladies cross streets. They cannot tell lies. Ahhhh, they are wonderful like Angels.

Lucy Morgan, how is your retirement? and you current paycheck?

[Rodger]

She deserves her retirement and she deserves her salary as senator, I question the time being spent on the PROJECT. time should be compensated but she should'nt have the time to make $120k on a part-time PROJECT(job). im not democrat and im not republican, im all for a FAIR party though.

[Donnie]

This may be the dumbest story yet. Talk about a non story. Does the St. Pete Times think that a person who has spent their life teaching is supposed to give up their pension to run for the legislature or is the person supposed to work as a legislator for free? We don't expect retired private sector employees to give up their retirement if they get a second job.

This line of stories by the Times is disgusting.

[Simon]

I think that $120,000 would be better spent teaching Floridians how to vote, not read. This country can't afford one more screw up out of you.

[gerry]

To 'whomever' sent this response'....
----------
Gerry
If you could not find a job for the last five years it is nobodies fault but your own. In the last five years we have had the lowest unemployment rates ever. Its not that you cannot find a job is that you do not recognize that you are not as valuable to as you think you are.
------------------

Tis true if you want to work at Walmart or clean hotel rooms for a living....Those are the jobs George W. Bush and crew have best created...

I obviously am not considered valuable anymore by US employers..since I am a couple of years over 50... and god forbid... there certainly isnt any 'age discrimination' going on in the corporate worplace! That and I'm not Indian or another HIB varient...

I've been one of the final 3 candidates at least 8 times in those 5 years...didnt get the job...In fact, in the process again right now against more 30 somethings and HIBs who will work for way less than market accept crazy work requirements and not cause waves...That and of course no one wants a 50+ yr old person on their medical benefit plan!!...Despite being in perfect health with no pre-existing conditions!!

'Whomever' you are I hope you dont get knocked off your lofty perch...its not so pretty when it happens to you!!

gerry

This article is just another example of garbage journalism where the facts are being misrepresented. I have no knowledge of this subject whatsoever, but to suggest someone is "triple dipping" when they are earning a pension that they earned through years of hard work is absurd.

[dr diesel]

is she single.. I could use old money bags for some of my own ideas

[Dr_Dug]

They said it themselves...just read it twice and think for a sec......“I see no conflict considering we have no money this year..." What that means is Money is the center of thier social standings and obligations. What if there was a budget...? Then what...? What if the budget was one hundred dollars? Exactly how much money does it take to buy Moral and Ethical leadership? ** Remember, War is Hell....and War is profitable. This is a lesson every student in school should be watching and studying very closely....cause this is what the future holds....

“It’s just a coincidence,’’ said FSU President T.K. Wetherell

Politcal Patronage always is!!!!!

Lucy Morgan wrote the article.

[Frank]

She is NOT a triple dipper. She is paid a pension EARNED by teaching, and has two current jobs that she is paid for. This article is completely misleading and incorrect.

Lucy?

[mike]

She deserves her pension and she deserves her legislative salary, however the university position is clearly a conflict of interest.

[Brecka]

I sincerely hope I can retire, collect my pension and social security and then still use my skills ( and brain) to earn income. Part of negotiating and taking a job is the benifit package and who's to say these people haven't earned it. More power to them, if someone else was nmore qualified they'd have the job.

Lucy, didn't you retire from the newspaper? Are you collecting a retirement check? Are you getting paid for your current work?

ARG!
Time for the REVOLUTION!

[terminator]

Evelyn isn't a bad woman but used bad judgment on this deal (and FSU should know better).
I've worked with her over the years and found her to be one who was loyal to her principles.
The pension she earned fair and square. The legislative salary she earns fair and square.
The FSU position smacks of a quid pro quo and doesn't pass the smell test. She knows better.
She may be term limited (I think she is), so this is just her going away present to herself.

[Jorge M. Robert]

Our political system is corrupt at all levels, if not totally at least partially. That is why the reduction in taxes is justify. Here we are not talking of social services, or services for the needy. This is clearly political corruption. Politicians in the third world do exactly the same thing. Are we a "banana republic" already? It is really sad.

[Jay]

Danny, I believe Senator McCain already IS in office. Oh, wait, you're alluding to the presidency. Yeah. Don't you think you're getting a little ahead of yourself?

As for the senator? Well, she earned her pension, so you can't fault her for that, and FSU offered her the job based upon her connections and understanding of the program, so again, no fault there. Her legislative salary is just 31k a year which is not exactly breaking the bank. Is there an expectation that she will work for any of these jobs for free? I don't see how this is "triple dipping" or hurtful to the system. But I'm willing to listen to anyone who can make a compelling argument to the contrary.

Gerry
If you could not find a job for the last five years it is nobodies fault but your own. In the last five years we have had the lowest unemployment rates ever. Its not that you cannot find a job is that you do not recognize that you are not as valuable to as you think you are.

[Outraged]

If you are angry about this I would encourage you to email Sen. Lynn and question her about this.

lynn.evelyn.web@flsenate.gov

What ever happened to integrity?

[ed]

it is obvious that this sen. lynn has very little conscience!! it appears she belongs to the "GET IT WHILE YOU CAN!!" CLUB!!!
CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT WOULD BE GOING ON IF WE DID NOT HAVE A FREE PRESS?? & I'M NOT ONE WHO FEELS THE PRESS DOES EVERYTHING RIGHT!!!

[JM]

I hope Hardworker never finds themselves out of work or like me out on SS disability.I worked all my life but now because of an injury i was forced out of work.First thing don't trust workers comp in the state of FL.They are there only for the employer.And if you have arthritis do to your line of work they disciminate against you.Then if and when you are lucky enough to get SS and find it barely pays the bills and you are forced to try and find a job.But yoy can only make so much and because of your age no one will hire you and the business you left blacklists you.So Hardworker you better save a lot of money so when your time comes you can give to some politician who needs it more then you.

[Danny]

I find it comical that some of you are criticizing the republicans. But yet you Einsteins voted for Christ and Bush. And soon McCain will be in office. Dont blame anyone but yourself for what this country is going through.

[dman]

Typical politicians, looking out for their own. Hard work? No just easy money.

[Will]

Money and Power go hand in hand.

[HardWorker]

Good For her! A residual program, that is lucrative. Did her time, got a pension and is now working as a senator. What's the problem? If you want money, go make it. Don't wait for someone to hand it to you!

[me]

I don't see in the article where any of this is illegal? He is an elected member of government, she is drawing a pension which she earned as a teacher, and FSU hired her to do a job.

Scum bags all of the!. They have no moral principles and no moral compass, but act as if they are the supreme guardians of the realm, privileged to no end. These insolent criminals are eroding and conquering anything in their path in the name of political necessity. Hypocritical self-serving and self-righteous criminals is what they are. These laws need to be changed now. I'm sure others could benefit from the jobs that these scum bags privy themselves to..

[gerry]

Anne is correct though...Democrats are just stupid...Re'bub'licans are just greedy! We really do need a recognized thiry party that actually represents the people in this country...

[Gerry]

If anybody in the private sector did this they'd go to jail immediately without passing GO!!! Unless of course they paid off their Re'bub'lican law enforcemnet official(s)...

[Anne]

Good thing we are in a budget crisis. I am alwyas delighted to see where the tax dollars are going. And ethical behavior and integrity is not determined by whether you are a Republican or Democrat. (The last and latest governors of New York come to mind.) Scum is scum and greed is greed be it an R or a D.

[Cali]

"(Lynn)...is being paid $120,000 a year to work on a program she helped create and fund.'

what kind of "program" pays its director $120K a year?

also, you said it all so well, gerry.

[Gerry]

Oh and BTW...my retirement was stripped from me after 16 years by a 'corporate reorganization'...thanks again Re'bub'licans!!

[Gerry]

Makes me ill...MBA BBA 18+ yrs experience in my field and cant find ONE job for the past 5 years...these politicians sure do look out for themselves well dont they? Especially Re'bub'licans!!!