As a United States Senator, Charlie Crist will take the message to Washington that we are fed up with the partisan gridlock and work to provide common-sense solutions to the issues important to the people of Florida. Charlie Crist will always do what is right for the people he proudly serves.
Governor Crist understands the importance of a hard earned dollar. As Governor, Charlie Crist vetoed a record $459 million in pork barrel spending in the 2007 state budget. Recently, Governor Crist vetoed $371 million in projects that did not receive adequate open and transparent review and others that did not follow established processes or benefited only select groups in the 2010 state budget. By putting good policy ahead of politics, Governor Crist was able to save taxpayers money.
In addition to using his authority to veto specific appropriations, Governor Crist has also cut state spending by $7.4 billion in three short years while making sure that our schools, hospitals and law enforcement could continue to have the resources they need to serve the people of Florida.
As Florida and the nation are experiencing the most challenging economic times in a generation, Charlie Crist made the decision to reduce spending -- like Florida families have done -- in order to sign a balanced state budget. By cutting wasteful spending, Governor Crist was able to balance the books while protecting vital services and without raising taxes on working families.
Charlie Crist is a proven tax cutter and understands the importance of reducing the tax burden on Florida families and businesses. Following his election as Governor, Charlie Crist took action to reduce property taxes, which had grown sharply, but made sure that school district levies were exempted. First, he championed and signed into law legislation that required cities, counties and some special districts to cut their property taxes. The legislation also capped the future growth of local property taxes. Governor Crist then successfully led a statewide campaign for passage of Amendment 1, a Constitutional Amendment that also significantly cut property taxes for homeowners and produced tax-saving benefits for business. Listening to the concerns of his fellow Floridians has meant record tax cuts that will save an estimated $22 billion over five years.
Paid for by Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate.