TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (The News Service of Florida) - After being required to keep his distance for two years, Florida State University President John Thrasher can return to the halls of the Legislature.
Thrasher this week registered to lobby for the university, slightly more than two years after he took over as president of his alma mater.
Thrasher was long a powerful figure in the Legislature, serving from 1998 to 2000 as House speaker and later moving to the Senate, where he served as rules chairman.
Between his stints in the House and Senate, Thrasher also worked as a lobbyist.
But former lawmakers are barred from lobbying the Legislature for two years after they leave office, preventing Thrasher from lobbying for the university until this month.
It is common for university presidents to register as lobbyists for their institutions.
Also, Florida State has three other registered lobbyists, including Kathy Mears, who recently went to work for the university after serving as chief of staff in the House.
