Topic: Conflict of Interest

A request by Sen. Wilton Simpson to use office letterhead to endorse worthy causes in his district was OK'd. However, the panel decided that former Rep. Peter Nehr may not lobby to have his business offered as a state employee benefit.

Sixty days of debate, argument, agreement and compromise end with the drop of two handkerchiefs in the Capitol rotunda to signal the completion of the 2013 legislative session.

Former director of the Florida Commission on Ethics says pending reforms bills don't go far enough to address the issue of cleaning up public corruption.

A proposed committee bill would increase sovereign immunity caps on local governments to $3 million for individuals and $4.5 million per incident, but leave the current $300,000 cap intact for the state government. ... Related Research: Meeting materials and video.

The governor ignores the House Speaker's uncommonly blunt denunciation of Scott's Medicaid plan as in his State of the State speech he talks up Florida's economic gains, seeks pay raises for teachers and tax breaks for industry, and coins a likely re-election campaign slogan. The Senate then passes two ethics bills and the House OKs an election overhaul bill. ... Related Research: Opening Day of the 2013 Legislative Session In Photos.

House and Senate rules prohibit fundraising during session. So with the 2013 session starting Tuesday, at least 17 fundraisers were being held Monday in Tallahassee.

After the fall elections embarrassed Florida again on the national scene with images of hours-long lines of voters and a presidential vote count unfinished for days, the House and Senate leadership is in a reform mood. They also want to take a crack at campaign financing and lobbyists' gift giving.

Gifts, voting conflicts, open meetings and public records are on the agenda as lawmakers hear the best way to do the right thing. ... Related Research: Video from WFSU-TV/The FLORIDA Channel.

The bill would close a revolving door between the statehouse and lobbying firms, and forbid elected officials from taking a public-sector job. ... Related Research: Jan. 22, 2013 Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections meeting packet, and meeting video.

The incoming Senate president wants senators to abstain from voting if there is a conflict of interest and is setting up two new committees dealing with health care and gambling. ... Related Research: Draft Rules of the Florida Legislature for 2012-2014.

The incoming Senate President would like to eliminate committees of continuing existence, enact stricter conflict of interest rules and see the state's higher education system produce more graduates ready to step into the workforce.

Gov. Rick Scott has until Sunday to reappoint Edgar or pick among three other candidates offered by the PSC Nominating Council. About 80 percent of emails the governor has received are supporting former Rep. Ken Littlefield, a Republican from Wesley Chapel. ... Related Research: Emails and letters concerning the PSC nomination, and the FDLE investigative report.

Federal law says a person cannot work with an agency that issues water pollution permits within two years of receiving a substantial portion of their income from a permit holder or applicant. In February 2011, two groups petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency asking it to investigate Vinyard's prior employment. The EPA in April requested additional information and DEP responded on Aug. 29.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on April 27 requested more information about DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr.'s employment prior to being appointed in January 2011. Environmental groups petitioned for an investigation into a possible conflict of interest under the federal Clean Water Act. DEP has yet to respond but a spokeswoman said the issue is a high priority and is complex. ... Related Research: Documents related to the challenge to Vinyard's qualifications.