Tea party activists allowed to use space in FL Senate building
Activism Friday, October 7th, 2011
BY KATIE SANDERS, HERALD/TIMES TALLAHASSEE BUREAU
TALLAHASSEE — Florida tea party leaders Thursday proudly announced the grand opening of their “Tallahassee headquarters” for the upcoming legislative session.
The location: Room 227 of the Senate Office Building.
The Tea Party Network — a group of 70 Florida tea party and 9/12 groups — used the conference room to educate new volunteers about their movement’s talking points and to meet with elected officials who stopped by.
They say keeping a space at the Capitol will help them during the hectic days of session, when they need to react with speed to lawmakers’ surprise amendments and unfavorable votes.
“Legislation can change like that,” said Tea Party Network chairwoman Patricia Sullivan, snapping her fingers. “It’s just a wise use of our volunteers’ time.”
Still, the group’s news release did not answer the question: Can a political party set up shop in the Capitol?
Well, sort of. Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, said groups frequently use vacant meeting rooms during legislative sessions, but he clarified that Room 227 does not belong to the Tea Party Network.
“They are not going to have a full-time office, no, in the Florida Senate,” Haridopolos said.
To read more, visit: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/06/2442394/tea-party-activists-allowed-to.html
Short URL: https://reteaparty.com/?p=3687
