TALLAHASSEE, Florida — In early December, members of the Florida House got an early Christmas package: A clear bag full of swag including a Bluetooth speaker, a “Go Outdoors Florida” branded Yeti tumbler and a small blanket also featuring some Florida branding.
But by the end of the day, employees with the House sergeant-at-arms went office to office to collect the bags after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission “rescinded” its distribution of Go Outdoors Florida “marketing materials” to House members.
Why? Because the giveaway could be seen as a violation of a 20-year-old law that prohibits legislators and others in top roles in state government from accepting anything of value from lobbyists or the principals that hire them…