" ... The political climate here in Florida"

Tuesday is one of those off-the-clock days for Gov. Charlie Crist. But he'll be hip-deep in partisan politics in Tampa and Fort Lauderdale in two private events set up in conjunction with the Republican Governors Association.

Crist, his former chief of staff George LeMieux and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour will hold private briefings for key Republicans "about the political climate here in Florida and around the country," as Crist's invitation letter says. The one-hour sessions are a run-up to an RGA event planned for Miami Beach next November. LeMieux said the guest list includes "people who have been supportive of the governor in the past," but the RGA refused to release a list of confirmed attendees. Two Republican state senators, Ronda Storms and Paula Dockery, are expected to be at the Tampa event.

Among those invited to meet with Crist was Fred Karlinsky, a Fort Lauderdale lawyer and insurance lobbyist. Name ring a bell? His firm's $25,000 donation to Crist's inauguration in December 2006 was returned because it was given just before a special session on insurance.   

Comments

[Disgusted Republican]

What?? CC NOT at work? That would be a FIRST!

[Donald Lance]

The political climate in Florida is about the same as the climate today - Hurricane Season! Why is the Tanned One talking about the political climate when he should be talking to Citizens Ins. to make certain they are ready to go - just in case the perfect storm comes.

"His firm's $25,000 donation to Crist's inauguration in December 2006 was returned because it was given just before a special session on insurance."

I'm guessing the climate is OK now for a little "thank you" present, right?

9:33,

That's the difference between a bribe and a payoff.

Florida government - for sale to the highest bidder!

Remember in November!

When will george stop the ego show. This is a waste of the Govs time and effort. The party is hurting to raise money and George pushes thisto try to get more clients. It seems wrong to me but George never ceases to amaze!

We miss real leadership Jeb! Please come back!

8:02, will you please get over it? Jeb was a good governor but Charlie appeals more to all the people of Florida. Jeb was good when we needed him and did a great job but now Florida needs a leader like Charlie Crist who appeals more to the center and not just the far right wing looney tunes that really distroyed our party.
Or are you still ticked that Charlie wanted Jim Greer at Chairman and not you?

8:09 - just wait for TRIM notices...

How's that $240 working out for ya?

it will be down for this year and at down another 25% when amendment 5 passes.

10:30... We're talking about taxes, not Chuck's approval ratings and the Legislature's collective IQ.

[Norquist = Traitor]

Have you noticed? Big Business is no longer opposed to Amendment 5, as evidenced by the support it now gets from TaxWatch Fanatics like 10:30 AM (aka Problem Solved!)

The reason for this flip-flop is simple. The hidden goodie in Amendment 5 is a big SOH-like tax cap for non-homsteaded properties: business, flippers, investors, and out of state 2nd homeowners love it.

The bad news for business WAS a sales tax which would increase prices when passed on to consumers. HOWEVER, now the Realtors have set a precedent; by complaining to the GOP Legislature, they have received a exemption for their services under the Amendment. This sends a signal to all the other GOP big business cronies - pass this, and we'll create a nice loophole for you.

End result - a big tax cut for Business, a multitude of loopholes in the sales tax. Tax revenue way down, with no corresponding replacement from sales taxes.

Your government, already in the red, further strangled. No money for services, infrastructure, or regulation of growth and pollution.

Florida takes one step further down the road to Ghetto-state, but the GOP pays it political debt and developers laugh all the way to the bank.

Responsible Floridians Vote NO on Amendment 5 - the Big Business Tax Cut!

[Aquaserpent]

Whatever happened to everyone paying their fair share? Why do we have to give big tax breaks to corporations, most incentives shelled out for businesses to locate here have never lived up to the rewards promised.

Norquist = Traitor; you are a slimy, full of it low life. You are telling a big lie when you say the realtors cut a deal. They have been an exclusion for years and years! Why would you lie about it? Why would we want to tax something Florida is trying to bring back to life? We need home sales! That is the way Forida gets the money to run government!! Your severe lack of truthfulness is not going to work on this blog.
We all know who you are and your mean spirted lies make it easy to uncover your name! Even your members are for the amendment. What a joke

Everyone must live within their means including local government.

Yes on Amendment 5

I would love giving a check that the receiver had to give back. I look like a supporter for free.

JEB is not even his real name. It is his initials, used to make rich Bushbot sound folksy.

Our state had a surplus. Then alias JEB who sold off our assets like a corporate raider. Destroyed as much as possible with "privatize" schemes to profit his cronies.

JEB paid $4 million for phony felon list to PREVENT 20,000 votes -- for his brother. Charlie is from Bushbot farm team. Same lies in different incompetent package.

Why aren't Florida state employee retirement funds invested in FLORIDA? Enron was better -- for Bushies. Vote to evict their trash.

I'm stealing the line ---"remember in November." I remember when Florida had a surplus and an attorney general who didn't FAIL the bar exam twice.