TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida legislators are considering new ethics restrictions this year, but those bills may not stop legislators from sponsoring and pushing bills that could help them or their families.
Such bills are common.
For example, Sen. Kelli Stargel is an investment property manager who has been forced to evict tenants. Yet the Lakeland Republican is sponsoring a bill that critics contend would strip rights away from tenants.
Stargel said that because the bill affects all Florida landlords and tenants it's not a conflict for her to sponsor it.
Other legislators are deeply involved in issues this session that could impact their businesses.
Legislators are considering a comprehensive ethics bill that would require legislators to abstain from voting on bills but only if it would create a "special" benefit for them.
