Florida Senate panel votes down ethics bill

By The Associated Press
Published: February 14, 2012

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TALLAHASSEE --

Florida lawmakers are rejecting an ethics bill that would ban lawmakers from working at colleges or universities.

A Senate panel today shot down the legislation on a tie vote after several lawmakers strongly objected to the employment restrictions.

The measure was being pushed in the wake of several scandals in recent years, including a Panhandle college hiring Ray Sansom on the same day he was sworn in as House speaker. Sansom wound up giving up the job and his spot as speaker.

But some lawmakers called the bill an attack on educators who also want to serve in the Florida Legislature. One other legislator angrily denounced the press, saying they had created a perception that legislators were doing something wrong.

Lawmakers in recent years have blocked other ethics bills.