News

Statement on Governor Sarah Palin

TallahasseeRepublican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer released the following statement today regarding Alaska Governor Sarah Palins decision to not to seek re-election and to resign her position as Governor.

On behalf of the Republican Party of Florida and Republicans across the state, I would like to thank Governor Palin for her service to our Party. She worked tirelessly to defend Republican principles throughout her service in state and local government and demonstrated tremendous courage as a historic candidate on the Republican presidential ticket in 2008. We respect her decision and wish Governor Palin and her family the very best as she moves forward.

State worker files ethics complaint against Fla. CFO Sink

Alex Sinks efforts at government transparency may have come back to bite her.

In April, her office announced that state travel logs chronicling the flights of state employees on state planes would be posted on line by the Florida Department of Management Services.

On Monday, a state employee filed an ethics complaint against Floridas Chief Financial officer alleging that she misused the state plane.

Jose Blas Lorenzo Jr., an attorney who works for the Department of Education, filed the complaint. He said he was "incensed" by some of the information he has read in news articles about Sinks use of the plane and did some research of his own. He figures that since announcing her plans to run for governor, Sink has racked up $11,000 in plane travel that's unrelated to her official duties.

I am just concerned, very concerned, Lorenzo said. I live in the state, my children grew up here, I pay my taxes, I work for the state, what example is she setting? he asked.

In his complaint, Lorenzo claims that on at least one occasion, Sink flew on the state plane on the first leg of a flight with a destination for a vacation in the Bahamas.

He said that on other occasions Sink has used the plane to drop off her husband, Bill McBride, or pick up her son.

Sink, a Democrat, is running for governor. Calls to her office for comment were not immediately returned. However, according to published reports, she has ordered her office to conduct a review of her plane use.

Sink Doesn't Support and Doesn't Remember Voting for Billions in Tax Relief

Tallahassee–State Senator Mike Fasano released the following statement regarding Democrat Gubernatorial Candidate, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink “forgetting” whether or not she supported property tax relief for millions of Floridians by voting for Amendment 1 last January.

“I am absolutely astonished that a candidate for Governor of Florida doesn’t remember supporting historic tax reform championed by Governor Crist, the Florida Legislature and more than 60 percent of Florida voters,” said Senator Fasano who served as Chairman of the Amendment 1 Campaign. “Registered Independents, who couldn’t even vote in the Presidential Preference Primary, came out by the hundreds of thousands to support Amendment 1, yet someone seeking the state’s highest office won’t even take a position on the issue.”

Speaking to the Latin American Builders Association yesterday, Alex Sink stated that she couldn’t remember whether or not she supported historic property tax reform passed with Amendment 1.

Amendment 1, supported by more than 60 percent of Florida voters in January 2008, is estimated to save Floridians $9.3 billion in taxes during the first five years. The amendment doubled the $25,000 homestead exemption, made the save our homes tax cap portable, created a $25,000 exemption of the tangible personal property tax and a 10 percent annual cap on non-homestead properties.

Bill McCollum's campaign in high gear

The campaign by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum to succeed Charlie Crist as Governor continues in high gear. Although the November 2010 elections are still 17 months away, the likely Republican nominee has been busy gathering endorsements and speaking out about his vision for the States future.

An important development related to his effort was the recent endorsement by Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Charles Bronson. Mr. Bronson is term-limited from running for re-election to his current post and had considered a run of his own for the governorship. His decision to throw his support behind Mr. McCollum precludes the possibility of a protracted and costly primary contest on the Republican side of the ballot. Avoiding a divisive primary race became even more important in view of the fact that the Democrats have quickly lined up behind Chief Financial Officer Alex Sinks candidacy for the Governors mansion.

In the likely McCollum-Sink race the Attorney General has the early advantage. A Mason Dixon poll conducted in mid-May had McCollum ahead by six percentage points at 40% to 34%, with 26% undecided. A more recent internal poll has the A.G. up by 8% at 41% to 33%. Mr. McCollum also has wide leads in popularity and favorable opinion among voters. His campaign to combat child predators has earned him high marks with Floridians. Conversely, Ms. Sinks recent attack on the Attorney General for his appearance on a TV spot to raise awareness about internet predators made her look petty in the eyes of the public. In a clearly politically motivated move, the CFO attempted to block the showing of the public service announcement by delaying payment to the company that produced it. The negative reaction to her rogue action forced her to back down in embarrassment.

Congressman Adam Putnam endorsed by Vets for Freedom PAC of Florida

BARTOW, FL – Today Congressman Adam Putnam was pleased to accept the endorsement from Vets for Freedom PAC – Florida Chapter.

“As a native Floridian, and Iraq war veteran, I am proud to support Adam Putnam,” said VFFPAC Florida State Captain, Will Bennett. “In light of his steadfast support for the military and exemplary service while in Congress, it is my honor to endorse Adam in his bid for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. I believe Adam will bring the same strong work ethic and responsibility he has displayed in Congress to the Commissioner’s office here in Florida.”

“I am honored to be recognized and endorsed by Vets for Freedom -- an organization that has tirelessly fought for the brave men and women serving our country,” Putnam said. “Our nation's military have made great sacrifices in order to protect America's freedoms and democracy throughout history. I am deeply proud of the men and women in the Armed Forces and will always be inspired by the generations of Americans that have served our country so bravely. Our troops have always been a great priority of mine as a policy maker. Regardless of my position, I will always stand up for the heroes in uniform that have served America and secured freedom and democracy for all of us.”