Jim Rosica
As the Special Session for Senate redistricting drew to a close, lawmakers were taking time off.
On Wednesday, two senators had excused absences and weren’t on the floor as their colleagues OK’d a conference process to finish redrawing the district map.
Sen. Maria Sachs, a Delray Beach Democrat, “had a personal commitment” and Sen. Denise Grimsley, a Sebring Republican, “had a prior commitment in her district,” according to an email from Senate spokeswoman Katie Betta.
No senator planned to be out either Thursday or Friday, the last day of the latest Special Session.
In the House, spokesman Michael Williams said six members planned to be out Thursday: state Reps. Jose Felix Diaz, a Miami Republican; Jamie Grant, a Tampa Republican; Jeanette Nuñez, a Miami Republican; Cary Pigman, an Avon Park Republican; Patrick Joseph Rooney Jr., a West Palm Beach Republican; and Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican.
Excused in the House for Friday were Reps. Diaz, Nuñez, Rooney and Steube again, and also Mike Bileca, a Miami Republican; Julio Gonzalez, a Venice Republican, Mike Hill, a Pensacola Beach Republican, and Jennifer Sullivan, a Mount Dora Republican.
Reasons for those absences were not provided.
Earlier this year, in another Special Session to finish the state budget, 10 of Florida’s 160 legislators weren’t in Tallahassee to vote on the $78 billion spending plan, which is the only constitutionally required measure lawmakers must pass.
