According to the Associated Press, a Florida State Representative, now running for the Senate, reports that he didn't do anything wrong by not disclosing his financial interest in a Port St.Lucie project he voted on last year.
House Appropriations Chairman Ken Pruitt, would have earned $28,300 in real estate commissions from his employment with Wendover Housing Partners in the one million dollar project for low-income apartments at the Riverwalk but the project was vetoed by the Governor, Jeb Bush.
Pruitt stated that he did not need to report his vote on this project. He said, "I'm in real estate. As an example, I push for transportation projects all throughout my district. If I had listings up and down U.S. 1, do I have to disclose it?"
Florida state law requires their lawmakers to file declarations of personal interest whenever they vote on a bill that would benefit them or their employers. They are not allowed to vote on any measure that benefits them, according to House rules. No complaint has been filed with the state's Ethics Commission.
Pruitt, who has been in the House since 1990, can no longer serve due to term limits. He is now running for a state Senate seat against Sharon J. Merchant.
