In 2012, Richard Corcoran wrote a Jerry Maguire-esque manifesto against government grifting. Unlike the fictional Maguire, Corcoran went on to betray his lofty proclaimed values. And Floridians pay.
I read this and was infuriated. What a hypocritical sleazeball Corcoran is. And I didn't realize so many former state legislators (earning $29K/yr) had become 6-figure higher education presidents. I agree with previous commenter Jeffrey - shame on us for allowing this to be our Florida government. Everyone who is reading this and reading Cathy's reports, we have to work to make our neighbors informed. Please, don't just share a link to this report. Share the link with a few sentences in your own words - tell your ND and FB friends how Corcoran campaigned against special interests and then as Speaker of the Florida House, took special interest money to fly on private planes, dine at pricey restaurants and buy thousands of dollars worth of cigars. Corcoran’s spending included $400,000 on private plane travel, and an $8000 dinner at a Napa Valley restaurant. Additionally, Corcoran "burned through $238,000 in five months."
Corcoran entertained on special interest money while preaching an anti-special interest agenda. Corcoran preached against a corrupt system and proposed banning elected officials from taking government for 6 years, but after leaving the legislature, he moved directory into lucrative government positions, becoming Florida Education Commissioner from 2019 - 2022 and President of New College from 2023 to the present. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY - that all of this is being done under Ron DeSantis. DESANTIS IS THE SWAMP.
We've got to get the word out. Comment to everything. Say it over and over. None of our current Florida elected representatives should be re-elected. NONE OF THEM!
Thank you for reading, commenting and sharing David! When you put it all together Corcoran’s disingenuous gaming of Florida public service and resources is deeply troubling. We deserve leaders who truly work for the common good.
An important contribution to the public understanding of Florida's higher ed. system. Showing the pattern of college presidencies, previously selected through professional searches under State University System Board of Governors Regulation 1.002, now being treated instead as highly paid parking spaces for politicians is powerful; not many have worked to collect the data in one place and show the overall direction of the system.
In recent years, Florida's State University System was ranked the best in the country by some publications. It is sad to think the quality of the system will be degraded by small-c corruption and crony politics.
“Highly paid parking spaces” is a great way to put it. It’s terrible how college presidencies are being used as pension padding prizes for former state legislators.
I read this and was infuriated. What a hypocritical sleazeball Corcoran is. And I didn't realize so many former state legislators (earning $29K/yr) had become 6-figure higher education presidents. I agree with previous commenter Jeffrey - shame on us for allowing this to be our Florida government. Everyone who is reading this and reading Cathy's reports, we have to work to make our neighbors informed. Please, don't just share a link to this report. Share the link with a few sentences in your own words - tell your ND and FB friends how Corcoran campaigned against special interests and then as Speaker of the Florida House, took special interest money to fly on private planes, dine at pricey restaurants and buy thousands of dollars worth of cigars. Corcoran’s spending included $400,000 on private plane travel, and an $8000 dinner at a Napa Valley restaurant. Additionally, Corcoran "burned through $238,000 in five months."
Corcoran entertained on special interest money while preaching an anti-special interest agenda. Corcoran preached against a corrupt system and proposed banning elected officials from taking government for 6 years, but after leaving the legislature, he moved directory into lucrative government positions, becoming Florida Education Commissioner from 2019 - 2022 and President of New College from 2023 to the present. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY - that all of this is being done under Ron DeSantis. DESANTIS IS THE SWAMP.
We've got to get the word out. Comment to everything. Say it over and over. None of our current Florida elected representatives should be re-elected. NONE OF THEM!
Thank you for reading, commenting and sharing David! When you put it all together Corcoran’s disingenuous gaming of Florida public service and resources is deeply troubling. We deserve leaders who truly work for the common good.
Your thorough research is both needed and appreciated. The partisan political takeover of Florida higher education is appealing and pervasive.
Shame on us for tolerating it.
Kudos to you for shedding light on this.
Thank Jeff. …. Appealing? Not sure I understand.
I’m guessing it’s an auto-correct glitch. Perhaps the intended word was “appalling”.
Yes, you are right. My apologies.
Whoops! I meant appalling.
An important contribution to the public understanding of Florida's higher ed. system. Showing the pattern of college presidencies, previously selected through professional searches under State University System Board of Governors Regulation 1.002, now being treated instead as highly paid parking spaces for politicians is powerful; not many have worked to collect the data in one place and show the overall direction of the system.
In recent years, Florida's State University System was ranked the best in the country by some publications. It is sad to think the quality of the system will be degraded by small-c corruption and crony politics.
“Highly paid parking spaces” is a great way to put it. It’s terrible how college presidencies are being used as pension padding prizes for former state legislators.
When the College's ranking decreased that much, it's time to go. Great investigative reporting. It all, sadly, reeks but needs to be told.
Another home run by Cathy. Special interests are like catnip to politicians.