Despite the heavy negative publicity emanating from the revelations about receiving a financial gift from developer Ralph Hughes, Hillsborough area Republican Jim Norman survived last fall, winning the state Senate District 12 race.
Then again, he faced no major party opposition once he dispatched rival Kevin Ambler in the GOP primary, as the Democrats could not find one warm body to nominate and oppose the former Hillsborough County Commissioner.
But he's still reportedly under investigation, and with the regular legislative session about to start, Norman apparently is ready to keep his head down and keep a low profile in the Legislature.
Which is why it's unfortunate that one of Norman's first proposed bills, that would make it illegal to take a picture of a farm without its owner's permission, isn't being looked upon favorably by some folks, such as the Orlando Sentinel's editorial board. Read below.
This article appears in Feb 24 – Mar 2, 2011.