TALLAHASSEE, FL — In response to Adam Hasner’s new ad in which he rails against politicians who “raise their pay” and “pad their pensions” — despite having done both himself while in the Florida State Legislature —  the Florida Democratic Party released the following statement and fact check: 

“Adam Hasner’s ad is a laughable exercise in hypocrisy,” said Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Arceneaux. “He did exactly the same things he now claims to oppose — and when politicians like Hasner say one thing, after doing the exact opposite, it’s hard for middle class Floridians to trust them with our state’s future.” 

BACKGROUND

HASNER: “we can’t afford typical politicians…who raise their pay without doing their jobs” and said “I’ll never accept a pay increase or congressional pension.” [Hasner TV Ad,  9/18/12] 

FACT CHECK: Hasner Supported 2003-2004 Budget, Which Contained A 2.5 Percent Salary Raise For Himself. On May 27, 2003, Hasner missed voted “Yea” after the roll call on implementing the $53.5 billion 2003-2004 General Appropriations Act, which contained a 2.5 percent increase for legislators’ $29,000 salaries. Lawmakers approved the salary increase “on the final night of a 16-day special session…” [SB 4A, Vote Seq. 586, 5/27/03; St. Petersburg Times, 6/7/03] 

FACT CHECK: Hasner Will Benefit from Florida State Pensions. On his personal financial disclosure filed in May 2012, Hasner reported being part of the Florida state Legislative Retirement System, active since November 2002. Hasner reported that under the terms of the agreement, he would receive an amount less than $5,000 at age 65. [Personal Financial Disclosure, filed 5/15/12] 

FACT CHECK: Hasner claims he will turn down perks, but between 2004 and 2010, Hasner was reimbursed Over $40,000 for airline travel. From November 2004 to April 2010, Adam Hasner spent over $40,000 for in-state airline travel. [State of Florida Voucher for Reimbursement of Traveling Expenses, 2004-2010]

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