Don't bail out Republicans, Democratic leader urges

© St. Petersburg Times,
published November 17, 2001

TALLAHASSEE -- State Democratic Party Chairman Bob Poe is asking Democrats in the Florida Legislature to avoid helping Republicans fix the state's budget problems.

In a letter sent to all House and Senate Democrats Wednesday, Poe asked Democrats to "avoid bailing out" the Republicans. Poe said he wants Democrats to be wary about an expected vote to repeal an intangibles tax cut when legislators convene in special session Nov. 27.

Gov. Jeb Bush and Senate President John McKay want to delay the next phase in the intangibles tax cut to spare the state from having to cut another $130-million out of the budget, but they may need votes from some of the 43 Democrats in the state House.

Poe's letter could complicate that effort.

"For every Democratic vote, Bush and (House Speaker Tom) Feeney will protect a Republican too afraid to fix the problem created by Bush, Feeney and the Republicans," Poe wrote. "It is my sincere hope that Democrats will not be fooled by the Republicans' sudden and desperate appeal and that we will continue to place the interests of Florida's families, public schools and most vulnerable ahead of the special interests."

The letter prompted a spokeswoman for Bush to criticize Poe for trying to inject partisan politics into the budget debate.

"I think the people of Florida are sick of politics as usual," said Bush communications director Katie Baur. "They don't care whether you are Republican or Democrat; they just want you to do the right thing."

In an abortive session last month, the House refused to take up a bill that would delay an intangibles tax cut approved earlier this year, and legislators went home after approving only $800-million in tax cuts. Bush and budget analysts say the state needs to cut $1.3-billion to replace the shortfall caused by a declining economy and fallout from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Feeney has since agreed to allow a House vote on a bill delaying for 18 months the tax cut scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, but says he won't vote for it himself. A number of other Republicans in the House also oppose the delay.

House Democratic Leader Lois Frankel said she has read Poe's letter and isn't sure what he meant, but she does not think Democrats will be able to vote against the delay.

"I don't think we would be in a position to vote against the delay, unless we can leverage it in a way that would help people," Frankel said. "We don't like the cuts; we think they should be lower."

Poe said Friday he merely wants Democrats to be cautious.

"We want to be part of the solution, but we don't want to be used," Poe added. "We want to be sure any plan put forth has the support of the Republicans."

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