Floridians Have Clear Choice in Governor's Race: Business Plan or Business As Usual

From FDP:

As Florida CFO Alex Sink was rolling out her Business Plan for Florida last week, her Republican Gubernatorial rival Bill McCollum was focused on Washington politics, and absent on the main issues at stake in Florida: the economy and jobs.

"While former Congressman Bill McCollum grandstands on the happenings of Washington, where is his plan for Florida's economy? Where are his ideas to cut wasteful spending in state government? Floridians face a fundamental choice in what they want from their next Governor: a business plan for Florida or more business-as-usual politics." Florida Democratic Party spokesman Eric Jotkoff said. "Florida's unemployment rate has tied a record high. Our state faces massive budget shortfalls and foreclosures have skyrocketed. And where is the leading Republican candidate for Governor, Bill McCollum? His focus is still stuck on playing Washington political games, since that's what he's done for decades."

McCollum has spent the last week on phone conferences, writing and sending letters to Attorneys General in each state and appearing on national cable news, yet McCollum has yet to offer an economic plan for Florida.

Where Is Bill McCollum's Economic Plan? When Will He Produce One?

To understand the fundamental choice Florida voters will face in November, just survey last week's news on the gubernatorial race.

Alex Sink Roles Out Business Plan for Florida:

"And as a candidate for governor, she [Alex Sink] has released a promising, cost-cutting plan to get rid of middle managers in state government. She also is laying out a set of proposals to stimulate job creation in Florida. So far, these generally concern tax credits and tax breaks targeting businesses. This is what I want my governor to do - not get embroiled in some lawsuit against Washington over health care to get headlines." (Mike Thomas Blog, Orlando Sentinel, 3/18/10)

Sink sets economic goals if elected Fla. Governor
(Headline, Associated Press, 3/16/10)

'Business-minded' Dem Sink unveils jobs, economy proposals in West Palm Beach
(Headline, Palm Beach Post, 3/17/10)

Alex Sink offers up economic blueprint for Florida
(Headline, Orlando Sentinel, 3/17/10)

In governor's race, Alex Sink pins hopes on economic savvy, new 'business plan for Florida'(Headline, Venture, TampaBay.com, 3/17/10)

Former Congressman Bill McCollum Promises Business-As-Usual Politics of Washington:

McCollum "Grandstands" On Health Reform Plan. "Bill McCollum very much wants to run against Barack Obama in November. That appears to be a large part of his campaign strategy as he grandstands on Obama's health care plan and tries to tie it to Democrat Alex Sink. This resulted in a rather juvenile letter from McCollum's campaign manager to Sink, demanding she take a position on it." (Mike Thomas Blog, Orlando Sentinel, 3/18/10)

McCollum Declined To Comment About Conference Call With Top Prosecutors From Across The Country About Possible Legal Action Against The Health Reform Bill. According to McClatchy News, "South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster said he and Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum spoke with other top state prosecutors Thursday in a conference call about possible legal action. McMaster said the proposed federal mandate for individuals to purchase health insurance - or face a fine of as much as $750 for most people - is unconstitutional. 'It is my belief and that of other attorneys general that this is clearly unconstitutional,' he told McClatchy. 'That's why we're moving forward. We need to protect the sovereignty of our states and the liberty of our people.' McCollum declined to comment." (McClatchy News, 03/20/10)

While McCollum Failed To Provide Promised Details Of His Legal Challenge To The Press, He Was "On Conference Calls All Day" Trying To "Get Other AGs On Board To File Suit" Against Health Care Bill. According to McClatchy News, "Ryan Wiggins, a spokeswoman, said McCollum was spending considerable time on the phone with other state prosecutors, rounding up support for a lawsuit. 'He's been trying to get other AGs on board to file suit,' Wiggins said. 'He's been on conference calls all day trying to do this lawsuit.'" In addition, "Wiggins didn't follow through on a promise to provide details of the potential legal challenge." (McClatchy News, 03/20/10 and 03/19/10)

McCollum Planned To "Sue Regardless" Over Provisions Removed From Health Reform Legislation. "Attorneys General Henry McMaster of South Carolina -- who is head of a group of 19 GOP attorneys general that started threatening lawsuits in December -- and Bill McCollum of Florida said ... that they are planning legal action over a deal struck between Senate leadership and Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) paying for his state's share for expanded Medicaid coverage, estimated at $100 million. Democrats intend to remove the Nebraska provision from the Senate bill via reconciliation, but McMaster said ... that he and McCollum intend to sue regardless of whether the item is removed." (Politico, 03/19/10)