August 21, 2003
Radical demagogue uses state funds to aid election bid
From the Sp TImes:
House Speaker Johnnie Byrd used a list of "Choose Life" license tag owners to promote a new parental-notice abortion law, an aide confirmed Wednesday.
Byrd spent $14,000 in tax money on the mailing last month, days after he announced his bid for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination. A letter sent to about 30,000 holders of the tags, signed by Byrd and Rep. Sandra Murman, R-Tampa, criticized the Florida Supreme Court for ruling that a parental notification law violated the state Constitution's privacy clause.
Byrd's use of the Choose Life database to send a political message shows that the tag is a political statement against abortion, not a pro-adoption plea as its supporters claim, says a lawyer who is suing the state to outlaw the tag.
"It's totally improper, but it's consistent with the agenda demonstrated up there," said Boca Raton lawyer Barry Silver, a former Democratic legislator. "They're totally responsive to the radical right. . . . The Legislature knew that the license plate was designed to be antiabortion."
The targeted mailing stirred criticism of Byrd from Republicans, too. Sue Banks of Palm Beach Gardens, of the Florida chapter of the Republican Pro-Choice Coalition, said she was angry that Byrd tailored his message to a select group.
"He did not communicate this issue to his constituents across the board. He chose a very narrow band to get the word out," Banks said. "And there's the implication, because of the narrow band of people that he sent this to: Support me for election, send me money, send me votes."
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