So far, everybody loves Charlie [re GOP FL Gov Charlie Crist]

St Pete Times ^ | March 9, 2007 | Adam Smith

[summer]

GOP FL Gov Charlie Crist

Gov. Charlie Crist invokes Robert F. Kennedy and channels Al Gore on global warming. He embraces paper trails for voting machines.

Florida's most powerful Republican pays homage to the teachers union and speaks so passionately about civil rights that one legislator dubbed him "Florida's first black governor."

What's a Democrat to do?

"Gov. Crist is a political nightmare for the Democrats," said state Senate Democratic Leader Steve Geller. "How do we run against somebody who whenever we come up with a good idea, he goes, 'Hey that's a good idea, let's do that.' "

State Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, called Crist "one of the best Democratic governors Florida has ever had."

In this strange, post-Jeb Bush era, Democrats in Tallahassee are struggling to make sense of their new buddy in the Governor's Mansion.

"With Bush, we woke up in the morning knowing that whatever he said we'd be against," House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber said. "With Crist, because he's clearly not an ideologue, we might wake up one morning fighting him and then the next morning as his choir.

"We can't lose our job as the honest opposition, but if he's going to offer centrist, progressive policies, we certainly can't reject that just because of his party."

The love and harmony breaking out in Tallahassee is unlikely to last throughout the 60-day session. But much of Crist's agenda is likely to face more obstacles from Republicans than Democrats.

"Some of us old heads will kind of rein things in as we go along," said state Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala. "There will be some days where it's just too far over the edge. Our job as stronger, staunch conservatives is to hold up the plumb line once in awhile."

State leaders face some of the biggest challenges in modern Florida history - a property insurance crisis and cries for sweeping property tax reform - so bipartisanship is more than a noble goal. To get any tax reform plan on the ballot, Republicans need three-quarter majorities in both chambers. Which means they need Democrats.

But Democrats are in a tricky position. They don't want to roll over and accept proposals such as replacing property taxes with a higher sales tax, but they risk being cast as petty obstructionists if they block tax relief efforts.

"Gov. Crist has played a brilliant game of chess because he's got the Democrats with no place to go but follow him," said Steve Uhlfelder, a Democratic lobbyist who supported Jeb Bush.

Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, perhaps the Democrat best positioned to challenge Crist down the road, called for her party to embrace Crist as an ally rather than a rival.

"If I were going to sit here and say for the next eight years we want a governor who's not going to be successful, that would be totally wrong and totally against my values," Sink said after leaving Crist's state of the state speech that drew stronger applause from Democrats than Republicans. "The message I heard from Gov. Crist was very, very encouraging, and I wish him every success."

[dawn53]

His whole family is involved in public school teaching

Huh? His father is a doctor...a family practitioner.

[Rb ver. 2.0]

It would be more appropriate to provide additional living expenses to teachers in high end census tracts than to apply an equal salary across the state.

[Constitution Day]

Inquiring minds want to know.

[Dominick]

GOP Gov Charlie Crist's approval ratings are very high, something like 65%+. (Same as Gov Jeb Bush when Jeb left office.) Gov Crist seems unfraid of doing things how he sees best. He's unafraid to lead -- and in that sense, I think he is very much like Gov Bush.

Nothing like Bush.

Bread and circuses, his policy is bread and circuses like the Roman empire. We the taxpayer will get the bill. You can't patronize people with money forever.

As far as the insurance crisis, close Citizens. Let insurance companies rate homes based on the conditions and the location. Some rates will go up, like houses on barrier islands or the shacks they mass produce in the giant walled communities like the Villages or that were in Goulds and Naranja in South Miami (obliterated by Andrew). Many will go down, like homes built well that have survived storms that are a not on waterfront.

The problem is that state insurance regulators can't control the companies after they allow them to charge based on the actual situation. You also can't get "relief" from a RINO like Crist.

[VeniVidiVici]

"This simple fact reflects a challenge that we ignore at our own peril," Crist said. "I am persuaded that global climate change is one of the most important issues that we face this century."

Great. We elected Schwarzenegger. Anybody tried emailing him yet to see if he's accessible, like Jeb?

Just watch, Floridians. This guy will eventually propose ending the Save Our Homes law.

[iopscusa]

Correction: Gov. Crist is a political nightmare for Conservatives...my gay-dar also is pinging at the pics of Crist...is he a Log Cabin type of guy? What did he get elected to do? If he has already flipped this much, I see a severe case of remorse...Cadillac Deval meet Chrysler Crist.

[highimpact]

BTW, for the first time, last year more people moved out of Florida than into Florida.

Can you cite your source on that? As far as I'm aware (and as Rush Limbaugh stated on his show two days ago), an average of 800 people per DAY move to FL.

[doc30]

His whole family is involved in public school teaching, etc. He's a RINO

I didn't know being a public school teacher, or being associated with one, negated one's conservatism. I know many conservative teachers and your statement is flat out wrong.

[doc30]

There was a story posted here a month or two ago about United Van lines where, in Dec, they had more outbound moves than in bound. Anectdotally, the professional labor market is interesting. There are a lot of engineering type jobs and businesses are resorting to stealing workers from other local companies because professionals cannot afford to move into the state anymore. Housing prices + insurance costs + property taxes are outrageous and the pay isn't there. FL isn't a cheap state to live in anymore.

[Moonman62]

Insurance companies are so heavily regulated that they are practically an extension of the government already. The state of Florida is giving them a discounted reinsurance and the savings must be passed on to customers. Citizens Insurance is owned by the state and it does have poor service, but it is the insurer of last resort.

[Lancey Howard]

This smells like a problem:

Crist moves GOP to center, finds friends on left.

Best regards,
LH

[FreeManWhoCan]

My friend has met Charlie many times and he says he is a really nice guy. When he found out it was his dad's birthday he made him call him on the cell so he could wish him a happy birthday. Every time he sees him now (last week) he asks about his dad. He put paper ballots on voting machines to shut everyone up once and for all about the voting problems. The first thing he worked on was the insurance mess. They haven't fixed it completely but it's a start. Over here some people are starting to float the idea of removing real estate taxes fully and to hike up the sales tax instead. (Terrible idea)

[summer]

FL isn't a cheap state to live in anymore.

That's exactly correct. It was a cheap state to live in, at one time. But, for the most part -- no more. You really have to have money to live here now. And, I agree with your other statements. (I, too, was thinking of the moving van company that released those figures about more people moving out.)

[summer]

I don't know that it's a problem, Lancy - Gov Jeb Bush had friends on the left, too, believe it or not. People who supported his desire to reform education, including many blacks in this state (that's why we now have more Black GOP clubs). There were also Democrats for Bush when Gov Bush ran for re-election. Florida is a very diverse state. It swings in either direction, and right now it's embracing Charlie Crist, who, is in fact a Republican. Gov Jeb Bush also strongly endorsed Crist.

[summer]

He did a lot right away, as soon as he took office. The only thing he did that had me puzzled was when he made a statement saying something like he's only staying for one term? Something like that. I don't know.

[Fawn]

Charlie Crist was born in 1956 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, but the family soon settled in St. Petersburg, where his father is a respected family physician. Charlie learned the importance of public service from an early age, beginning with his father's tenure on the Pinellas County School Board. As a public school student Charlie quickly learned the value of participation, leading him to serve as class president at St. Petersburg High School and, later, as student body vice president at Florida State University.

[Fawn]

Sister

Department of Education: Catherine Crist Kennedy is the Director of Curriculum & Student Success for the College of Education at St. Pete College. She serves on Governor Jeb Bush’s Educational Advisory Committee. Ms. Kennedy graduated from the University of South Florida.

http://www.cristtransition.com/news/2006/12/06/crist-announces-citizen-review-group-team-leaders/

[Fawn]

http://www.newsbull.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=41790

~~~

· Education - To ensure the promise of excellent public education, Governor Crist highlighted his budget recommendations, which include $3.8 billion - a 19-percent increase over current funding - for continued class-size reduction as required by the 2002 constitutional amendment; $295 billion to double funding to reward the top-performing 25 percent of teachers with a 10 percent salary bonus; and $137 million to add 400 reading coaches along with $10 million to provide every student access to a virtual tutoring program. Governor Crist also recommended an increase in funding for state universities and community colleges without increasing tuition.

Governor Crist underscored the need to reward effective teachers by sharing the story of Stephen Anderson, a former elementary school teacher in Volusia County, who left the teaching profession because of the opportunity to earn a better salary elsewhere.

Additionally, Governor Crist supported the creation of a Children’s Cabinet to raise the profile of all children’s issues, including education and health. The Children’s Cabinet will ensure that children are the number-one priority by emphasizing such issues as physical education and financial incentives for adoption. “Our children need a voice,” said Governor Crist. “They need to be at the table because soon it will be their table.”

~~~

· Environment - Governor Crist encouraged the Legislature to continue Everglades restoration and take bold steps in moving toward alternative fuels and other alternative sources of energy. His recommended budget includes $100 million for Everglades restoration plus $40 million to improve the environmental health of the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers. To foster the development and use of alternative energy sources and fuels in Florida, including ethanol and biodiesel fuels for cars and solar power for homes, the Governor has proposed a record $68.25 million.

Governor Crist announced plans for an Environmental Summit that will bring together experts and scientists after the legislative session to explore groundbreaking technologies and strategies that will place Florida at the forefront of the movement to reduce greenhouse gases. “With almost 1,200 miles of coastline and the majority of our citizens living near our shores, Florida is more vulnerable to rising ocean levels and violent weather patterns than any other state,” Governor Crist said.

~~~

Governor Crist also outlined his budget priorities of $20 million for stem cell research aimed at curing degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases and spinal cord injuries, and $32.5 million to provide a tangible record of every vote cast on Election Day. He has also requested support for economic development for the film and space industries: $75 million to attract film and television productions to Florida and $7 million for Space Florida.

~~~

[Fawn]

Crist entered state politics representing parts of St. Petersburg in the Florida Senate, where he became best known for his support of chain gangs for state prison inmates, earning him the nickname "Chain Gang Charlie."[2] He became well-known in state politics in 1998, when after nearly six years in the Senate he challenged popular incumbent Democrat Bob Graham for his U.S. Senate seat but lost by 26 percent. In 1999, Governor Jeb Bush appointed Crist to the position of Deputy Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. He then ran for and was elected to the office of Education Commissioner of Florida in the November 2000 election, in which capacity he served from 2001 until 2003. During this time he said teachers should earn at least $100,000 annually ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Crist

[crosslink]

"The state of Florida is giving them a discounted reinsurance and the savings must be passed on to customers."

Right, The reinsurance is backed by state bonds with 1.35 billion outstanding. This is not reinsurance but a shift for all losses from solvent free market insurer's to the state who backs the bonds. Currently Citizens has a negative surplus of 175 million and they are cutting the rates. This deficit is finance by more gov bonds. This rate cut will drive most of the buyers to Citizens which will have to issue more bonds if a large loss occurs.

Bottom line is if a huge storm hits you and your state will be forced to raise taxes to pay the bond holders.

Markets work even in insurance unless the government is run by a RINO.