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Fasano Says Flier Distorts His Vote

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By KEVIN WIATROWSKI

kwiatrowski@tampatrib.com

Published: October 11, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - State Sen. Mike Fasano is protesting a campaign flier accusing him of supporting higher rates for insurance companies.

Fasano, R-New Port Richey, says the flier completely misrepresents his vote on the 2006 measure, known as Senate Bill 1980. Legislative records show Fasano voted against the measure.

The flier, mailed to residents in Senate District 11, was paid for by Tell the Public the Facts Inc., a registered 527 political advocacy group based in Miami.

"I've been in politics a long time and I understand this is a business," Fasano said Thursday. "But the bottom line is they didn't even get my vote right."

Fasano is running to retain his Senate seat against Democrat Fred Taylor of New Port Richey.

Taylor denied any connection with the flier.

"I had nothing to do with it," Taylor said this week after being contacted about the flier. .

State campaign finance records show Tell the Public received nearly $42,000 in late September from Interphase Inc., an Odessa-based company owned by Roy Speer, the former owner of the HSN television channel and the current vice president of Aloha Utilities.

Until Interphase's donation, Tell the Public reported no income this year, state election documents show.

Speer and his wife have a history of donating to the Republican Party and its candidates.

This year, state records show Interphase gave $10,000 to the Florida Democratic Party in July, about 10 weeks before its contribution to Tell the Public. Neither the Speers nor any of their companies have given directly to Taylor.

Taylor, who is a customer of Aloha Utilities, said he met with Roy Speer before the August primary. In that meeting, Speer wanted to know if Taylor was a serious candidate, Taylor said.

"He never offered a penny," Taylor said.

Taylor said his campaign manager is provided and paid for by the state Democratic Party.

Fasano sees the flier as an outgrowth of his work to get Aloha to clean up the chronically poor-quality water it delivers to its customers in the Seven Springs and Trinity areas of southwest Pasco.

"The only thing dirtier than Aloha's water is their politics," Fasano said Thursday. "You'd think they'd spent their money to clean up their water."

Aloha has a deal pending with the Florida Governmental Utility Authority to sell itself into public ownership for $90.5 million. County commissioners approved the long-sought deal this week. FGUA officials expect the deal to close in December.

Speer couldn't be reached for comment.

Reporter Kevin Wiatrowski can be reached at (813) 948-4201.

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