NEWS ANALYSIS

MARK SCHUMANN

There is little justification for St. Lucie County Property Appraiser and former Florida Senate President Ken Pruitt’s triple dipping and moonlighting. Still, it defies reason how Treasure Coast Newspaper, which publishes the Press Journal, can attack Pruitt while at the same time essentially admitting the newspaper, and its opinion columnist, Larry Reisman, supported legislation that would have increased rates for the customers of Vero Electric and Fort Pierce Utilities.

In a story posted yesterday, Treasure Cost Newspaper’s reporter,George Andreassi, wrote, “Ken Pruitt was paid to promote two bills whose effect could have included increased electric rates for 28,000 Fort Pierce Utilities Authority customers, agency officials said.”

That same bill, sponsored if not instigated by Florida Power & Light, was targeted at the Florida Municipal Power Agency, and was designed to increase the agency’s cost of doing business.

Treasure Coast Newspaper’s editorial board, which includes publisher Bob Brunjes, has consistently supported State. Rep. Debbie Mayfield’s sustained attacks on the FMPA.  Brunjes is married to Amy Brunjes, a key FPL vice president of external affairs. Prior to joining FPL, Amy Brunjes worked for Treasure Coast Newspapers.

Since FPL began its efforts to acquire Vero Electric, Treasure Coast Newspapers has supported the utility giant’s every move, including legislative initiatives that would have led to higher electric rates.