Osceola schools hire ex-legislator who quit amid prostitution scandal

Two years after his resignation amid a prostitution scandal, former state Rep. Mike Horner of Kissimmee is working as lobbyist for the Osceola County School Board.

The School Board unanimously hired Horner’s company, Macy Island Consulting, to begin consulting work in January. Horner has a one-year contract for $60,000, via a flat fee of $5,000 a month.

“Mike is a unique guy,” said board member Jay Wheeler. “He knows Osceola; he knows Tallahassee. Everybody makes mistakes. And he’s proven his [commitment] to Osceola by tutoring students at Celebration High week. …

“If his wife’s OK with him, why shouldn’t I be?”

Horner could not be reached for comment. A two-term Republican state representative, Horner ended his quest for a third term in 2012 after being named as a client of a brothel in Orange County, though he was not charged. Horner also resigned as president of the Kissimmee/Osceola Chamber of Commerce — a move called for by the members of the Osceola County School Board at the time.

“That was not the School Board members currently on the board,” Wheeler said. “We’ve also had three superintendents over the last three years. You really can’t compare.”

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Wheeler said Horner is lobbying the state government for more capital funding “to get relief from the cumbersome, state-mandated tax code and to help us accomplish goals we need at the state level. … He’s still well-regarded by state legislators and he knows his way around state departments.”

Board member Ricky Booth agreed, saying in an email that “Osceola schools have tremendous capital funding needs. Mr. Horner has expertise that can help our district receive the money it deserves.”

Horner is also listed as a lobbyist for the Osceola County Expressway Authority on the state lobbyist registry.