Crist gives last State of the State
3/3/2010
MATT DIXON / News Herald Writer PANAMA CITY — Gov. Charlie Crist used his final State of the State address Tuesday night to push for more than $440 million in new “investments,” $100 million in tax relief and to tow the line between being a sitting governor, and a candidate in a tough race for U.S. Senate.
“I believe taxes should be lower, not higher. I believe in freedom, knowing that with it comes the duty of personal responsibility,” Crist said, employing campaign-esque rhetoric.
Crist also hit early on the topic that has been dominating political debate in recent months: the economy and jobs.
“…In the last few years, the promise of bright horizons has been marred by dark clouds,” Crist said. “The worst recession in generations has brought us more than our fair share of strife.”
To help bolster the state’s economy, Crist called for the Legislature to provide $100 million in tax relief for families and businesses, enact a 10-day sales tax holiday, and invest $125 million to attract new companies.
Crist also used the address to push for the Seminole Gaming Compact, which will bring the state revenue by allowing the tribe to expand its gambling.
“Whether we approve this compact or not, it does not alter the reality that the Seminoles are currently running a number of casinos in Florida,” he said.
The compact has been on Crist’s wish list, but needs approval from the state Legislature.
In a moment that Marco Rubio, Crist’s primary Republican opponent in his U.S. Senate race, was sure to take note of, the governor got a standing ovation from Democrats — and only a few Republicans — while defending Florida’s acceptance of federal stimulus money.
“Bear in mind that Floridians … will be paying part of the stimulus package,” Crsit said. “Isn’t it our duty to advocate for Florida to receive its fair share?”
Crist has recently lost ground to Rubio, who is regarded by many as the more conservative of the two.
Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marianna, called the Democrat’s ovation “a bit awkward.”
The speech was well received by Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson, who called it was “one of the governor’s best speeches.”
“It was the first time I witnessed Democrats giving the governor a standing ovation,” Lawson said. “I think he laid down the ideology and reflected the fact that the stimulus is what Florida taxpayers deserved.”
Lawson, whose district extends into Panama City, said that one criticism flowing from Democratic caucus members after the speech was lack of specifics.
“There was not a lot of specifics on what are you going to do to move education into the upper quartile … a lot of (the speech) was dwelling on what he had done in the past,” Lawson said.
Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, gave Crist a “B+” on rhetoric and a “C” on policy.
“I think it was the strongest speech I’ve seen the governor give,” said the Niceville Republican. “I think the best part of the speech was his emphasis on making it easier for businesses to function and to expand.”
Coley said she appreciated the speech’s optimism during tough times.
“It was a good speech, one that hopefully gave citizens a new sense of optimism that we are going to have an economy bounce back,” Coley said.
Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, said the governor needed to use the occasion to take an offensive posture on the stimulus, and picked up on a theme probably felt by lawmakers on their first day back.
“It’s going to be an interesting legislative session.”
During his State of the State address, Gov. Charlie Crist called for more than $440 million in new investment:
$125 million to attract businesses
$100 million for state universities
$67 million for community and state colleges
$50 million for Everglades restoration
$50 million for the Florida Forever program
$32.6 million for space exploration
$10 million for rural “shovel ready” projects
$10 million for solar energy rebates
Source: News Herald