At 6:30am, it’s hot and humid here in Fort Lauderdale. It’s even hotter up in the Capitol Building in Tallahassee.
 
Florida Governor Charlie Crist (R) just signed a massive reduction in property taxes. A $350 per year savings for a $200,000 homeowner and if the second half of his plan is approved by voters in January 2008, those homeowners could save another $1,600 per year. The totals: $15.6 billion savings to taxpayers over 5 years.
 
Not everyone is happy.
 
Cities and counties are worried about the loss in revenue and therefore they fear cuts in services, such as police and fire. Crist responds by convincing the Florida Legislature to approve the tax cuts in an effort to boost the lagging housing market and economy in order to drive more money into local general funds.
 
Whichever side you land, the point here is clear, in such a short time as Governor, Crist is establishing a clear vision and delivering a return on his constituent’s investment.
 
Where is this type of sweeping reform and ACTION in Long Beach in the past year?
 
Also, the Sun Sentinel this morning highlights Crist’s new Open Government Commission. Crist already has an Office of Open Government. Its charge: (1) to assure full and expeditious compliance with Florida’s open government and public records laws, and (2) to provide training to all executive agencies…on transparency and accountability.
 
As our City Council goes through the process of looking out the window pointing fingers at lobbyists and their influence in city government, Florida’s Governor is looking in the mirror – pointing his finger at himself – and opening HIS doors to government.
 
Again, I ask, where is this type of sweeping reform and ACTION in Long Beach?