$100,000 Loophole

The thing about Florida ethics laws is always pay attention to the fine print.

So, lawmakers fret over whether they can accept a birthday card from a lobbyist. But Walt Disney World, which has a team of lobbyists, is free to spend nearly $100,000 to provide rooms and entertainment at a fundraiser for Republican lawmakers.

In the past year, legislative lawyers have spent hundreds of hours checking who's paying for key lime pies and examining lunch invitations, while allowing unlimited donations to committees and charities that lawmakers control.

That's because lawmakers left a loophole when they passed the law banning gifts from lobbyists. They can't accept a free cup of coffee, but they can accept a check for $100,000 to their favorite charity or campaign accounts.

Thank God we put a stop to lawmakers aren't accepting free coffee mugs and birthday cards. All is now right in the world.