WELL, SO MUCH FOR "CITIZEN" LEGISLATORS...SO DIFFERENT FROM THOSE THEY REPRESENT

The New York Times Regional Newspaper Group, which includes the Lakeland Ledger and Gainesville Sun, reviewed the financial disclosure information that legislators are required to file, and it's really no great surprise that the idea of "citizen lawmakers" is soooooo different from the initial idea.

60 of Florida's 160 part time legislators are millionaires, with the average income of a member of the Legislature at $187,000. Compare that to the average income for all Floridians of $38,276.

35 legislators --- more than 20 percent --- are attorneys. While more than a quarter of all Floridians work in the retail or hospitality industries, no Florida legislators list their profession in either.

At least 27 legislators own a home in Tallahassee in addition to their primary residences in their districts.

And one very interesting quote --- from a Republican, at that. Gotta give credit to State Senator Nancy Argenziano (R - Dunnellon) for speaking the truth:

"Some (wealthy lawmakers) made it the hard way and they don't forget where they came from," she said. "But there are an awful lot of people up here who have no clue what it's like at the grass roots."

Can I hear an "Amen", here? BTW: Senator Argenziano, whose district covers at least part of 13 counties, lists her legislative salary as her only income.