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Governor hopefuls zero in on problems
By ADAM C. SMITH, Times Political Editor BAL HARBOUR -- The Democratic candidates for governor say Florida faces dire long-term problems, from unmet health care needs to cash-strapped schools, that Gov. Jeb Bush is largely ignoring. But so far, the Democratic front-runners are offering few specific proposals for fixing those problems. They're calling for more investment in the future, especially in education, but proposing no clear plan for finding the money in a serious budget crunch. At a labor union's candidates forum in Miami-Dade County on Saturday, St. Petersburg sanitation worker Fred Winters tried with little success to learn the candidates' specific spending proposals for improving Florida's school system. Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, like the others, promised that education would be a top priority. She said she would "look at what Florida's spending its money on now to see how (current) priorities can be changed to meet what I think are critical priorities." That's not exactly a road map for Florida lawmakers to consider as they head into a new legislative session Jan. 22. The state budget and bleak financial picture will be a major issue during the session, and Democrats are pounding Bush, saying he squandered years of surpluses on tax breaks instead of planning for the future. Reno's celebrity factor was evident at the Service Employees International Union forum. The crowd of 700 applauded for the lesser-known candidates -- state Rep. Lois Frankel of West Palm Beach, state Sen. Daryl Jones of Miami and Tampa lawyer Bill McBride -- and then burst into cheers at Reno's introduction. McBride, who leads the field in fundraising so far, was also vague about how we would make education a top spending priority. Voters deserve a specific plan, he said, and he will offer one after first seeing how state lawmakers proceed. Neither McBride nor any of the other candidates would rule out calling for a tax increase. "I think that would be irresponsible not to suggest you're going to look at every possibility to make sure that we make the kinds of goals and targets Florida has got to make," said McBride, the former head of Florida's biggest law firm. "The business community in the state of Florida has spoken pretty strong and clear that education and the lack of funding our education is hurting us economically." The candidates also agreed with Frankel's suggestion that lawmakers need to take a hard look at the $23-billion in sales tax exemptions now on the books and the more than $1-billion in tax breaks passed during Bush's first term. Jones said he would consider tax increases only after looking for savings in existing programs and trying to enact stronger policies to expand the economy. The candidates touted their strong support for unions and chastised the governor for his efforts to privatize some services and eliminate civil service protections. Their answers largely mirrored one another's on topics ranging from trying to alleviate the nursing shortage to pushing for better wages and more accessible health insurance. But as at previous forums, Jones and Frankel, both veteran legislators, often offered the most specific responses about existing state programs and potential changes to them. Afterward, the two lawmakers gently lamented that the two candidates with the vaguest answers about fixing Florida's problems, Reno and McBride, are the ones taken most seriously so far. "Whether or not it matters remains to be seen," Frankel said. "You're dealing with the celebrity of Janet Reno, and Bill's raising the most money."
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From the Times state desk
From the state wire
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