DEBATE FACT #7: Crist Has A Failed Record On Fiscal Responsibility

What Crist Said…

He didn’t want to identify any spending cuts because of his failed record in Florida.

The Facts About The Crist Record…

CATO Institute: Charlie Crist Earns A “D” On Fiscal Responsibility For Supporting Large Tax Increases On Floridians. “In the 2008 Cato report card, Governor Crist received an ‘A’ based on his support of property tax cuts and spending restraint. But since then, the governor has switched fiscal gears and supported large tax increases on Floridians. Crist signed into law a $2.2 billion increase in 2009, which included a $1 per pack increase on cigarette consumers and more than $1 billion in new ‘fees’ for vehicle licenses, fishing licenses, and other items. Then, exhibiting amnesia, Crist declared in his 2010 State of the State address: ‘My core principle is to not raise taxes.’” (Chris Edwards, “Fiscal Policy Report Card On America’s Governors: 2010,” CATO Institute, 9/30/10)

In 2009, Crist’s budget included “$2.2 billion in new fees and taxes”:

·         In 2009, Charlie Crist Broke His Pledge Against Raising Taxes By Signing A Budget That “Includes $2.2 Billion In New Fees And Taxes.” “Breaking a pledge against raising taxes, Gov. Charlie Crist signed Florida’s $66.5 billion budget into law Wednesday and barely used his veto pen. … Also, the budget includes $2.2 billion in new fees and taxes.” (Marc Caputo, “Gov. Crist Signs $66.5 Billion Budget, Breaks Tax Pledge,” St. Petersburg Times, 5/28/09)

Crist increased the size of government and accumulated even more debt:

·         Crist Increased The State Workforce For the First Time Since Lawton Chiles, a Liberal Democrat, Was Governor. “The annual report indicates that Crist has presided over the first growth in total state government employment since the late Gov. Lawton Chiles started the decline in his last year – a reduction that Bush accelerated with privatization and computerization.” (Bill Cotterell, “State Jobs On Rise Again,” The News-Press, 12/30/07)

·         Under Crist, “Florida’s State Government Is Cresting On Its Biggest Tide Of Red Ink In History.” “Even as talk of deficits and debt seem focused largely on Washington, Florida’s state government is cresting on its biggest tide of red ink in history. Now, the $26.4 billion owed by state taxpayers may threaten several environmental, transportation and classroom spending commitments in the upcoming legislative session.” (John Kennedy, “State Debt Could Threaten Fla. Government Programs,” The Ledger, 2/7/10)

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