MANATEE — Those who have suffered financially as a result of the nation's deep dive into recession can take solace in knowing that some of their well-heeled legislators have felt the pain, too.
A look at the financial records of local lawmakers shows that the delegation's wealthiest member, state Sen. Mike Bennett, has lost almost half his net worth since 2007. All but one other local legislator reported they either stayed the same or had losses.
Bennett, R-Bradenton, an electrical contractor, listed his net worth at the end of 2007 at $15,926,518. By the end of 2008, it had dropped to $8,809,909 — about a 45 percent loss, according to the latest records filed with the state Commission on Ethics.
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