September 05, 2003
Byrd finds $ for lawmakers' toys
State: Byrd picks BlackBerry for House e-mail
House Speaker Johnnie Byrd has come up with another way to modernize political communication at taxpayer expense: hand-held e-mail devices for all 120 House members.
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House members already have cell phones and laptops with Internet access in their offices and on the floor during sessions. They can charge all legislative-related cellular calls to the state.
Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Dania Beach, declined Byrd's offer. "It's going to be too much of a mix between legislative and personal affairs," Ryan said. "If I was to acquire one of those, I would go ahead and pay for it myself."
Rep. Ron Greenstein, D-Coconut Creek, called the gadget a toy and said he wanted one.
"The question is, what do I do with it?" Greenstein said. "I've got my laptop with me most of the time."
Greenstein said he was concerned that a House filled with BlackBerries would make it even easier for BlackBerry-toting lobbyists to instantly advise lawmakers how to vote on bills or amendments.
"They could send out e-mails saying, "This is the amendment I warned you about,"' Greenstein said.
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