2/07/2003
Johnnie Byrd wants to call you, mail you, spam you
Whenever a public official talks about giving the people "unfiltered information," my bullshit meter goes off. But then, a lot of what Johnnie Byrd says has that effect. "Unfiltered information" is Fidel Castro giving a two-hour speech on every channel on the radio. It's consultant-speak for "propaganda."
A story by Gary Fineout, running in New York Times-owned papers, says Byrd has contacted spammers and telemarketing groups to promote himself and Florida House members. Oh, of course, the taxpayers will pay for this. Did you really need to ask? So far, he's keeping the cost a secret. (The Herald, as usual, come in with a story a little later but well-reported.)
Editorial pages take dim view:
Press Journal -- Byrd's idea to use public money to send pre-recorded telephone messages deserves a resounding 'nay.'
Stuart News -- Calling all Florida taxpayers? On their dime? Byrd can forget it.
Daniel Ruth, Tampa Trib columnist -- Since assuming office, Byrd, R- Rosebud, has blown more than $500,000 hiring various flacks, minions and gofers to round out an entourage dedicated to polishing his image. Yet this Speaker of the Louse keeps coming off as a dim bulb more interested in furthering his own ambitions than he is in mature governance or even party loyalty. (Scroll to bottom.)
Palm Beach Post -- Florida House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City, says the state must "live within our means" during the coming tight budget year. "We plan to live within our means in the Florida House."
Apparently, Rep. Byrd applies that frugality to everyone but himself. His office will spend $500,000 this year just to get out the word on what the House is doing and, not coincidentally, what possible 2004 U.S. Senate candidate Johnnie Byrd is doing. Previous speakers got along without the spinmeisters.
Jan Glidewell, St. Pete Times columnist -- If Florida House Speaker Johnny Byrd gets his way, taxpayers in the state that can't find its dependent children, can't pay its school teachers a living wage and thinks mass transit is a minibus service connecting malls and a few nursing homes will start spending money on telemarketing calls to tell us all what a great job the legislature is doing.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal -- , the man who doesn't trust state agencies to spend wisely has no qualms about spending on himself. The ambitious politician who wants to be governor or a U.S. senator has increased the Speaker's public-relations staff from one person at a cost of $50,000 to 10 people at a total cost of $500,000. He also sent out 40,000 letters (thanks, taxpayers, for the $15,000 cost) to increase his name recognition -- oh, and also ask Floridians for opinions on state issues.
A story by Gary Fineout, running in New York Times-owned papers, says Byrd has contacted spammers and telemarketing groups to promote himself and Florida House members. Oh, of course, the taxpayers will pay for this. Did you really need to ask? So far, he's keeping the cost a secret. (The Herald, as usual, come in with a story a little later but well-reported.)
Editorial pages take dim view:
Press Journal -- Byrd's idea to use public money to send pre-recorded telephone messages deserves a resounding 'nay.'
Stuart News -- Calling all Florida taxpayers? On their dime? Byrd can forget it.
Daniel Ruth, Tampa Trib columnist -- Since assuming office, Byrd, R- Rosebud, has blown more than $500,000 hiring various flacks, minions and gofers to round out an entourage dedicated to polishing his image. Yet this Speaker of the Louse keeps coming off as a dim bulb more interested in furthering his own ambitions than he is in mature governance or even party loyalty. (Scroll to bottom.)
Palm Beach Post -- Florida House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City, says the state must "live within our means" during the coming tight budget year. "We plan to live within our means in the Florida House."
Apparently, Rep. Byrd applies that frugality to everyone but himself. His office will spend $500,000 this year just to get out the word on what the House is doing and, not coincidentally, what possible 2004 U.S. Senate candidate Johnnie Byrd is doing. Previous speakers got along without the spinmeisters.
Jan Glidewell, St. Pete Times columnist -- If Florida House Speaker Johnny Byrd gets his way, taxpayers in the state that can't find its dependent children, can't pay its school teachers a living wage and thinks mass transit is a minibus service connecting malls and a few nursing homes will start spending money on telemarketing calls to tell us all what a great job the legislature is doing.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal -- , the man who doesn't trust state agencies to spend wisely has no qualms about spending on himself. The ambitious politician who wants to be governor or a U.S. senator has increased the Speaker's public-relations staff from one person at a cost of $50,000 to 10 people at a total cost of $500,000. He also sent out 40,000 letters (thanks, taxpayers, for the $15,000 cost) to increase his name recognition -- oh, and also ask Floridians for opinions on state issues.
