HOLY COW: Atwater Bilking Taxpayers for $7,000/Month

For Immediate Release: April 11, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Unbelievable. Almost.

News broke this afternoon that Republican State Sen. Jeff Atwater hired professional outsourcer Robert "Budd" Kneip to be his chief of staff as Senate President - to the tune of $7,000 a month.

The problem is Atwater is not actually Senate President for another six months, if ever. According to the Palm Beach Post, "Leadership transitions are the norm. But it's unprecedented that a designated president would publicly name his chief of staff - especially with three weeks left to the current session, said one long-time Senate aide." [Palm Beach Post 'Q' Blog, 4/11/08]

Additionally, while the state faces an enormous budget shortfall and most state employees aren't getting the raises they expected, taxpayers are spending $7000 a month on Kneip, who founded an outsourcing corporation that made a billion dollars in its first five years. Kneip is the former CEO of the Oasis Group, an outsourcing company now owned by the Wackenhut Corporation.

The kicker? Kneip has no discernable legislative experience so Atwater started him on the state payroll on April 1 so he could "develop an understanding of Senate process and procedures," according to his new job description. [Palm Beach Post 'Q' Blog, 4/11/08]

"Kneip acknowledged knowing little about Tallahassee's esoteric legislative process, and said he'd rely heavily on the Senate staff already in place." [South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach Politics Blog, 4/11/08].

 "The state is in a recession, people are worried about declining jobs, Republicans are slashing education and healthcare, and Atwater is wasting thousands in taxpayer dollars every month on a professional outsourcer with zero legislative experience?" Florida Democratic Party spokesman Mark Bubriski said. "Who does he think he's kidding?"

"People are fed up with selfish, corrupt politicians like Jeff Atwater using the taxpayers' money for personal gain. Atwater better enjoy it while it lasts because the voters are going to outsource him in November."