Crist draws fire from 2 key Democrats

The state attorney general and state Senate Democratic leader raise the pressure on the education commissioner.

By STEVE BOUSQUET

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 23, 2001

TALLAHASSEE -- State Education Commissioner Charlie Crist, a Republican candidate for attorney general, came under fire on two Democratic fronts Wednesday.

Attorney General Bob Butterworth rejected Crist's claim that it is illegal for unions on government property, including schools, to collect dues that may be used for political activities.

Crist last week threatened to withhold Florida Lottery money from counties that failed to comply with the ban, but he backtracked and said the districts would get their money unless he has evidence the law was being broken.

Butterworth said his reading of the law "clearly reflects the legislative recognition that certified employee organizations have the right to have their dues deducted and collected by a public employer," and he cited police and fire unions that also collect dues through payroll deductions. What the Legislature outlawed, Butterworth said, was the physical solicitation of campaign contributions on school grounds.

"I think his advisory opinion may well be consistent with his political interests, but it's not clear to me that it's consistent with the law," Crist said of Butterworth.

Senate Democratic Leader Tom Rossin of West Palm Beach also delivered a broadside against Crist. In a letter to Gov. Jeb Bush, Rossin asked for an investigation of Crist's campaign finances, citing disclosures that Crist reported getting campaign contributions before he opened a bank account, a misdemeanor.

Rossin also cited Crist's award of an $890,000 computer contract to a firm represented by the husband of Crist's chief of staff, and which previously employed chief of staff Robin Safley, even though Crist's subordinates recommended that another firm get the contract.

Rossin also accused Crist of campaigning at public expense, citing Crist's meeting with the winners of the Miss Florida Hometown USA contest, one of numerous events on Crist's Web site.

Rossin also asked Bush why Florida needs "two heads of our statewide education system." Crist is paid $119,000 a year, and Jim Horne, the interim secretary to the new Board of Education, will be paid $225,000.

A spokeswoman for Bush, Lisa Gates, called Rossin's letter "partisan politics at its worst." She criticized Rossin for using "taxpayer dollars to conduct blatant political attacks on Charlie Crist."

"It's sad," Crist said. "What we need to be doing is working together to improve education for our state's children."

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