At posh retreat, Florida GOP leaders wield budget ax

The annual ritual of bringing money home for local projects is coming to an uncharitable halt just before the holidays. On Wednesday, legislative leaders declared that no local budget requests — ridiculed by some as "turkeys" — will be honored in the upcoming session.

But the austere message was delivered in a wildly contrasting setting — a $400-a-night beach resort that is hosting a retreat for more than 70 GOP House members and their families.

"Your room is your own personal luxury oasis, rich with amenities," including an iPod docking station, flat-screen TVs and 100 percent Egyptian cotton linens, boasts the WaterColor Web site.

The Republican Party of Florida is picking up the tab (it would not reveal how much, though it stressed rooms came at a discount) but the WaterColor get-away has garnered plenty of notice amid a time of national financial crisis.

"I don't think anyone would disagree it shows a lack of sensitivity," said Ben Wilcox, executive director of Common Cause Florida, a campaign finance watchdog.

Sansom, who started the retreats here after the 2006 elections, has scoffed at the backlash, saying no taxpayer money is being used. Attendees defended it, too.

"It shouldn't be called a retreat," said Rep. Faye Culp, R-Tampa. "This is work. I haven't even seen the beach. It's cold out there but I haven't had time, anyway."

Sansom has put a fine point on making the three-day affair, which ends Friday, a serious discussion on the budget, and Wednesday afternoon was devoted to the subject. The Destin Republican also barred lobbyists from attending, though their contributions to the party could be used to offset the expense.

"We're not here to be lobbied," Sansom said in an interview after providing an overview of the budget. "We're here to think."

House Democrats held their own retreat Wednesday but were ensconced in a dull, third-floor conference room of the Florida Education Association in Tallahassee.

As the GOP meeting concluded in the evening, lawmakers dined on roasted fingerling potatoes and grilled Ashley Farms chicken with foraged mushroom sauce. And fried bay shrimp.

Amid the pleasures, Republican lawmakers were feeling the strain. Some joked about wishing they'd lost. Maybe their Democratic opponents would like to deal with a projected $3.5-billion deficit for next fiscal year. Lawmakers may have to come back next month to address a cavern in the current budget.

Local budget requests are a staple of Tallahassee, just as in Washington. Last year, there were about $2-billion in requests, though not all were approved.

The state watchdog group TaxWatch identified $110.5-million in pet projects, dubbing them "turkeys" because they do not get fully vetted in the legislative process. Turkeys included $1.1-million for an emergency shelter in Hernando County and $125,000 for the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg.

"There's going to be a lot of disappointment, but this sends the message that we're not kidding," said Rep. Kevin Ambler, R-Tampa. "We have no money."

Comments on this article

by Ray	Nov 20, 2008 7:22 PM
Ah Republicans - can hit everybody else with severe cuts but they get to go to a 5 star resort with 5 star dining. Just like the Auto CEO's who fly a corporate jet into DC with their tin cups. Florida will continue to have difficulties under them.

by Phil	Nov 20, 2008 7:22 PM
Let them eat cake.....

by Chuck	Nov 20, 2008 7:19 PM
Concerning the working retreat, the GOP doesn't seem to get it. Yes, on the national scene Lee Atwater was a snake, but his view of "perception is reality" was extremely effective. The GOP could use good, honest PR to rebuild.

by WhatNerve	Nov 20, 2008 7:18 PM
The breakfast bar at WaterColor serves the BEST granola I've ever had.

by Linda	Nov 20, 2008 7:02 PM
This is like the pot calling the kettle black, or, don't do as I do, do as I say. What gall these people have to family up in posh surroundings to discuss cutting budgets. Maybe they should eat beans & franks like the rest of us poor people!!!

by disgusted!!!	Nov 20, 2008 7:01 PM
There needs to be a revolution, people. This is a great arguement for not paying taxes - legally. If they cannot spend OUR $$ responsibly, then we shouldn't have to give it to them. Where are the watchdogs? Why do we hear about this after the fact?

by Jerry R Chandler	Nov 20, 2008 6:49 PM
Looks like the FL Rethugs are as corrupt as the Rethugs is the other 49 States

by Mac	Nov 20, 2008 5:35 PM
One has to wonder why the republican party is on a downslide that will only continue to get steeper???

by Richard	Nov 20, 2008 5:34 PM
It dosen't matter who paid. The point is there are people who are brown baging it because they can't afford a $5 lunch at McDonalds. This just says they have no concept of what the average citizen is dealing with. Dog help us now.

by Jan	Nov 20, 2008 5:15 PM
The higher ups still don't get it. Spending $400 for a hotel room is like a poke in the eye to someone who is out of work and struggling to save their home and put food on the table. A more reasonable room rate would show that you feel their pain.

by Cliff	Nov 20, 2008 5:14 PM
And Congress won't help our most basic industry because the presidents of the automakers, who I dare say are more important to our country and economy than any Florida legislator (except maybe in their own minds). None of them have a clue.

by TC	Nov 20, 2008 5:09 PM
Come on Times, this is the best angle you could come up with? Really? Since when is "roasted fingerling potatoes" and "grilled Ashley Farms chicken" luxurious? What do Times execs eat at meetings? And if they paid for it, who even cares?

by Bigearl	Nov 20, 2008 5:09 PM
No money, please. Shut the Department of Education and Management Services. They're strictly duplicate services already provided on the local and agency levels. There's $1 billion of your shortfall.

by Patricia	Nov 20, 2008 5:08 PM
Let's thank Florida's GOP leaders for spending money in their home state and supporting our tourism industry. Think of the maids, servers and other hotel employees who will get a pay check this week instead of a pink slip because of their business.

by spud777	Nov 20, 2008 5:08 PM
Republicans simply do not get it. They are tone death.

by Kay	Nov 20, 2008 5:08 PM
If they are there to "work" then why do they need a beach front fully loaded resort? They really are clueless aren't they?

by Mary	Nov 20, 2008 5:08 PM
Every taxpayer in FL was just given the finger to our faces and they don't give a rat's behind that we know it.

by disgusted!!!!	Nov 20, 2008 5:00 PM
How blatantly arrogant. Everyone there should be fired. I'm so sick of every friggin politician using my hard earned money to fund their fancy vacations in luxury. I haven't had a vacation in almost 10 yrs. I say screw paying taxes anymore.

by Robert	Nov 20, 2008 4:43 PM
How ironic to meet in place where $400 a night rooms are the norm. They want time to think and be away from being lobbied and cut all local projects that can help communities. Does this sojourn help save middle class jobs? Were any lobbyists present?

by Steve	Nov 20, 2008 4:41 PM
I'm no fan of the Republican party, but if they want to pay for the retreat I say fine. Hold it on the moon for all I care. Hey, now there's an idea.

by Dan	Nov 20, 2008 4:41 PM
400.00/ night nice. They are "worth" it. It was not paid for by the tax payers but don't they even think about their image? people with out jobs, no hope, no future, high taxes and maybe no home and these fools make jokes. Great leaders.

by Sue	Nov 20, 2008 4:28 PM
Let's run an article about how much the Obama inauguration will cost!!

by Steve	Nov 20, 2008 1:55 PM
SPT, you need to post the comments to your stories a lot faster. The Trib does it right away which makes their comment section far more interesting than yours.