February 10, 2015 | By Javier Manjarres | Facebook | Twitter

Florida GOP Lawmakers Say “No Mas” To Special Interest-Funded Hunting Trips

It seems as if all of those legislating Republican Elmer Fudd’s up in Tallahassee, Florida, are now backing down from their yearly fundraising travels to the King Ranch in Texas, to shoot some deer, and collect some campaign loot, while on the U.S. Sugar-funded trip.

Rep. Richard Corcoran (R), who just happens to be next in-line to be House Speaker, and is in charge of raising dinero for House campaigns, is saying “nyet” to the hunting trips, as well as stating that fundraising should be conducted in “traditional” ways, and not with under the radar Boss Hog-style hunting expeditions to The Lone Star State.

So, just how influential is “Big Sugar” in Florida?

For years, U.S. Sugar money dominated state campaigns. During the 2012 and 2014 election cycles, the company, its subsidiaries and its representatives gave $8.1 million to state candidates and their committees. More than 92 percent went to Republicans or conservative committees.

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The company concentrated 10 percent of what it gave — $820,912 — to 10 elected officials and their committees who visited King Ranch: $547,462 to Gov. Scott; $36,000 to Putnam; $55,000 to Weatherford; $112,750 to Crisafulli; $31,000 to Corcoran; $10,200 to Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-Lehigh Acres; $13,000 to Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples; $8,000 to Rep. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford; $5,000 to former Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland; and $2,500 to former Rep. Stephen Precourt, R-Orlando.

Corcoran thinks that special interests have too much influence over the Florida legislature.

“There’s no question that special interests have too much influence… “They are strong. What we have to do is push back against those interests by being transparent in what we do.”-Rep. Richard Corcoran (R)

Hmmm? We shall see about this.

The Tampa Bay Times has been digging up the dirt in the Tallahassee sugar cane fields, and has posted a story outlining all of these shenanigans. Read more about it here.