Senator Votes For State Budget Despite Not Being At Capitol
NAPLES (CBSMiami/AP) - Politicians often have to prioritize items because of time constraints. For state Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto, the priority may be money and Sarah Palin over government business and voters.
Benacquisto was recorded as voting yes Thursday on the state budget, even though she had already left Tallahassee to join Palin at a backyard barbecue in Naples, Florida.
She's drawn criticism from media in SW Florida for getting to the $500-per-person fundraiser with Palin rather than a candidate forum on Sanibel Island or state business in Tallahassee.
Senate Rules chairman John Thrasher, a fellow Republican, said her vote button should have been locked and the Senate then officially changed the recorded vote. Thrasher said he didn't know who pusher her vote button.
Benacquisto is running for the Congressional seat that was once held by convicted criminal Trey Radel.
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