HOW NICE OF 'EM! FLORIDA GOP PICKS UP TAB FOR FOUR LAWMAKERS' TRIP TO CANADA

On July 12, a jet chartered by Magna Entertainment Corporation picked up four state lawmakers at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport for a two day trip to it's headquarters in Toronto.

Magna, which owns Gulfstream Park in Broward County, wants to install slot machines there since voters approved a measure to allow them. However, legislators have not passed a measure to get the slots running.

The trip cost Magna around $45,000 in travel, catering, food, and lodging...along with a $10,000 donation to the Republican Party of Florida.

The problem is, it's an ethics problem for the four legislators --- State Senators Dennis Jones (R - Seminole), Michael Bennett (R - Bradenton), and Jim King (R - Jacksonville and State Representatives Frank Farkas (R - St. Petersburg). Lawmakers cannot accept by state law gifts from lobbyists and their clients for more than $100.

However, the St. Petersburg Times noted that the expenses for the trip were noted on the campaign finance reports of the RPOF as an "in kind" gift. In-kind donations typically refer to goods and services, such as food and travel for campaign events.

Listing the trip as an in-kind donation made it appear the party had arranged the trip, when it had not.

So, the state GOP is paying back the $48,000 to Magna, putting itself in the awkward position of sending money to a gambling conglomerate at a time when key party leaders are supporting repeal of a constitutional amendment that legalized slot machines in Broward County.

One other interesting thing the Times story brought forth:

One option the legislators had was to pay their own way. The four Republicans who traveled to Canada at Magna's expense are among the wealthiest members of the Legislature.

According to financial disclosure statements filed in July, Bennett is worth $12-million, King $6-million, Farkas $3.6-million and Jones $3-million.

THEN WHY DIDN'T THEY DO THAT!