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Published on Friday, January 16, 2004
in the Palm Beach Post
In hopes of assuring the success of a bill that would result in a tenfold increase in some traffic fines, state Rep. Irv Slosberg is making sure there is something special in it for House Speaker Johnnie Byrd.
As part of a bill that would take $162.5 million from the wallets of bad or drunken drivers, the Boca Raton Democrat is suggesting that $10 million be set aside for an Alzheimer's research center that would be named in memory of Byrd's father, who died from the disease.
While other lawmakers call the proposal "blatant pandering" to the Republican House leader from Plant City, Slosberg said it is merely a way to help seniors in his south Palm Beach County district, many of whom suffer from or are affected by the mind-robbing disease.
"I represent the most senior district in the state and the world," Slosberg said. "I have to take care of my people."
However, last year, when the legislature almost passed the drastic fee hike, Slosberg wanted $5 million to go to Byrd's Alzheimer's research center while another $5 million was to go to Senate President Jim King's pet project -- biomedical research.
When King, R-Jacksonville, sank the measure and stonewalled Slosberg's other favorite bill, which would allow police to stop motorists solely for not wearing seat belts, Slosberg reconsidered his generosity.
Now, $10 million would go to Byrd's pet project and not a cent would go to King's.
"No bone for Jim," Slosberg said. "He can find his own bones."
Instead, Slosberg is suggesting for the first time that a large chunk of the money -- an estimated $75 million -- be used to hire additional Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
Another $75 million would be used to hire new teachers, $1 million would go to Mothers Against Drunk Driving for public service announcements and another $1 million would be split evenly between brain and spinal cord injury research and the University of Florida neuroscience laboratory.
State Rep. Susan Bucher, D-Royal Palm Beach, who last year opposed the proposed hike in fines as unfair to motorists, said she is heartened that at least some of the money would go to hire more troopers. But she called Slosberg's plan to give $10 million to Byrd's pet project distasteful.
"I've been watching the legislature for 11 years, and I've never seen such blatant pandering to the leadership in order to gain some favoritism," said Bucher, a former legislative aide. "It's unprecedented."
Still, she said, Slosberg's timing couldn't be better.
Last year, facing a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall, Slosberg's measure was supported by both Byrd and Gov. Jeb Bush.
With the shortfall likely to be similar this year, the Republican-controlled legislature will be looking for money.
"Maybe we'll find that pandering does work," she said.