I know there is a lot of talk today about legislators becoming too friendly with lobbyists. Evidence of complimentary meals, drinks, and entertainment are given as examples of an unhealthy governance relationship. In my experience as Chairman of both the Senate Health and Rehabilitative Services Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee funding Health Care (at the same time), it was probably suspected that I would have a cozy relationship with the powerful lobbyist of the Florida Medial Association, Scotty Fraser. I liked Scotty and certainly paid attention to his counsel, but I cannot recall every receiving or even being offered anything, at any time from Scotty. As this Quorum Call outlines below, he was simply just an outstanding lobbyist for the doctors of Florida.
