Rubio re-fires '100 Ideas'

House Speaker Marco Rubio this morning helped launch 100Ideas.org -- and his political future.

The organization is designed to further the "idea-raising" concept Rubio helped design and used as a platform for the House agenda. Now he will help the organization of the same name raise money and spread the word through speaking engagements. Of course it will keep the term-limited Miami Republican in the public eye.

"People have wonderful ideas in this state .. and where do those ideas go, how do they get to Tallahassee? I think today we can be less complacent than we were in the past,"  board chairman William Holly (pictured center) said during a news conference at the Florida Press Center.

"100 Ideas isn't just a product," Rubio said. "People focus on the book and the product, the ideas. Obviously that's important. But it's more about the process. After about seven, six years of being here, I came to realize if you look at the legislative agenda, so much of it historically has been driven by the people who are hired to come here and talk to us about issues ... But that should not be the sole source of our agenda in government."

The Board Members of 100Ideas.Org, Inc. are:

• William Holly of Coral Gables, Chairman
• Bertica Cabrera Morris of Orlando, Vice-Chair
• Mark Proctor of Tampa, Secretary/Treasurer
• Robin Hoffman of Palm Coast, Board Member

Comments

The Florida Senate (esp. Pruitt) and a good portion of the Florida House were too concerned about their political ambitions to support Rubio's ideas. He followed Jeb's approach to leadership, which is to lead by conviction, not popularity. That approach probably cost him a career in politics, but I bet he sleeps better at night.

I don't agree with every idea Rubio floated out there. But, I do respect his willingness to think differently and not censor new ideas. I appreciate that he really seemed to try to do what he thought was right.

History will judge whether he made an impact or not in Florida, and whether any of his ideas really had legs. I, for one, am just happy to see someone with the courage and constitution to put themselves our there in the public square and risk being wrong.

Thanks.

Marco Rubio 2010

12:54 - "I don't agree with every idea Rubio floated out there."

Nice touch, that little misdirection.

How's the tax giveway for your developer buddies working out, by the way? Gutted any regulatory agencies today?

1:15 - blow me.

why is it that a regular joe can't post on this piece of crap blog without being labeled someone's operative.

You know what? All you freaking lobbyists, staff members, consultants, etc. can kiss my untanned behind. The St. Pete Times does NOT belong to you and sometimes, just sometimes, regular folks read it too.

So go soak you head.

As far as I am concerned, there are far too many ideas, and far too little work, not to mention solid solutions.

[Chris W]

Here are some ideas:

1) Rubio could resign and go into the private sector where he can't cause as much damage to as many people...

2) Ronda Storms could stop enabling the fundie mouth-breathers in her district and just concentrate on what's good for the whole state...

and

3) The Legislature could (a) get rid of Internet-based sales tax exemptions, (b) start taxing services and (c) lower property taxes and cap assessments at 3% for everyone.

1:20 - "lobbyists, staff members, consultants, etc" - exactly the people who support Rubio and his ideas. Regular folks should know better.

Tell you what Marco… what say you actually accomplish ONE of the ideas you and that gang of miscreants you dabble with up in Tallytown promised you would… you know, like…. Ummmm…. INSURANCE!

Until you accomplish that ONE… I have no interest in 99 more lies!

Rubio has accomplished nothing for the people of Florida.. Nothing......I was a supporter, but when your family is barely making ends meet, the big promises make for heartbreaking disapointments.

Its good to hide behind 100 IDEAS when you don't have ONE GOOD ONE.

Rubio is nothing but a self promoter. Always has been, always will be.

My, the bloggies are a bit jealous and feisty tonight. It's okay little toadies, you ain't gotta playa hate...

I want to be Marco as much right now as I wanted to be Johnnie a few years ago. I am really the jealous type.

10:03, you would do well to be a Marco or a Johnnie-they are conservatives who know why lower taxes and free markets produce a booming economy. Unlike the misinformed who think absurd ideas such as taxing the internet are helpful, conservatives understand how the economy works. Marco is right, we need to cut taxes and reduce spending. The economy will quickly grow if these are two of the ideas put into action!

12:25 Wow, that is so delusional, I can only think one answer worthy of posting: Bush, Congress, 2000 - 2006 having their way with our country and destroying our economy, Duh!

Thank you 8:56, I rest my case. Sincerely, 12:25

PS Perhaps we should add another idea to the 100, Economics 101 for bloggers.

I thought it said "Rubio fires 100 Ideas" and got all excited...

the government could stand to do a little more infrastructure spending - but that's about it.

Mario Rubio exudes all the gravitas of a Middle School Student Council President. He is annoyingly clonsish of that thankfully retired John Birch ex-governor. He is quite intramural and has ambition more than talent.

Thanks for taking me to the woodshed like that, 10:01. I forgot all about Halliburton and the oil companies; 2000-2006 were very good years for them. And those Enron execs probably have a good chuck of our economic prosperity stashed offshore somewhere.