Marco Rubio - U.S. Senate - 2010

The Daily Caller
By Cesar Conda | Published: 9:30 AM 07/28/2010

With over $13 trillion in national debt and the recent projection that it will top 100% of GDP in 2012, we are entering uncharted fiscal waters which threaten our economy.  Kenneth Rogoff of Harvard University has found that economic growth is 2.6 percentage points higher for countries with debt below 30 percent of GDP than for countries with debt above 90 percent of GDP.  If Washington continues to do nothing, America is headed for a Greece-like debt catastrophe.

Fortunately, there are many strong candidates from outside of Washington running this year that recognize this dire fiscal situation and agree that addressing our nation’s debt problem is a top priority.  They believe – as do I – that we cannot address the debt with tax increases. It can only be overcome with rapid economic growth and cutting spending.

One of those candidates willing to put forth fiscally-sound ideas that are not necessarily popular is Marco Rubio, who is running for Florida’s U.S. Senate seat.  On Monday, he announced his 12 ideas to cut deficit spending in Washington.  Rubio’s plan, a mix of budget reductions and enforcement mechanisms, would save hundreds of billions in taxpayer dollars and get us get back on the right track toward a balanced budget.  Among Rubio’s specific spending reductions:  Cancel almost $300 billion from the unspent stimulus funds, repeal and reform Obamacare, cut the budgets for the White House and Congress by 10 percent, and impose a hiring freeze on the Federal civilian workforce.  Rubio has courageously called for strengthening and reforming our federal entitlement programs, which are headed towards insolvency if left unchecked.

Another one of Rubio’s ideas:  Create a debt check-off box, which would empower citizens to direct up to 10 percent of their annual tax payments to reduce the national debt.  Congress would then have to match the total amount contributed by taxpayers with an equivalent amount of spending cuts; if they don’t, across-the-board spending cuts would be automatically triggered. To be sure, this proposal would not “retire” the debt, but it would certainly produce less annual deficit spending than would otherwise be the case.

As strong as each idea is individually, together they represent a strong prescription to begin to solve our nation’s fiscal woes. More importantly, Rubio is combining his push to cut spending with an equally strong set of ideas to grow the economy and create a pro-jobs business environment.  Marco Rubio’s 35 ideas to create jobs, grow the economy, help the Gulf Coast and cut government spending represent a realization that while Washington bickers, real solutions are to be had and are possible.

Miami, FL – Today, with Congressional Democrats saying they will not pass a budget this year, U.S. Senate Republican candidate Marco Rubio issued the following statement:

“The fact that Congress refuses to pass a budget is another telling sign of the disconnect that exists between Washington and people across the country struggling to get by. Instead of dodging critical issues, we need new leaders who will focus on the economic uncertainty created by our massive debt, fix a broken tax code, and oppose anti-free enterprise policies.  Now more than ever, Florida needs a check-and-balance against the disastrous policies coming out of Washington.”

Background:

House Democrat Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) Says That “House Democrats Will Not Pass A Budget Blueprint In 2010.” “House Democrats will not pass a budget blueprint in 2010, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) will confirm in a speech on Tuesday. … The House has never failed to pass an annual budget resolution since the current budget rules were put into place in 1974.” (Jared Allen, “Dems Won’t Pass Budget In 2010,” The Hill, 6/22/10)

Miami, FL – For his latest astounding flip-flop, Charlie Crist on Friday vetoed nearly $9.7 million in state funding for a teaching hospital at the University of Florida despite having included the funding as part of his budget recommendation in January. As part of his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2010-2011, Charlie Crist’s office even wrote a justification for the budget request that can be read HERE.

Yet, Crist bizarrely vetoed the funding despite having previously argued that the budget request had merit. Was this political payback for Republican leaders no longer supporting him? Is there anything else that could explain a seemingly inexplicable flip-flop?

Whatever the case, this latest flip-flop comes after a month in which Crist has either reversed positions or broken his word on ten critical issues: leaving the Republican Party after pledging on national TV that he would not; claiming to be a political insider despite having been the consummate Florida political insider for 17 years; saying he would run a positive campaign after airing more than $1 million in negative attack ads; breaking his pledge to refund campaign contributions; failing to explain why he supported one President Obama judicial nominee and not another; switching positions on gambling; attending the Florida AFL-CIO Conference for the first time ever; sounding open to card check; reversing his position on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in just three days; and now vetoing his own budget request.

“Either Charlie Crist is vetoing projects out of political spite or he is completely unaware of his previous positions. After flip-flopping on ten major issues in just one month, it’s clear that Crist can’t be trusted to represent Floridians who deserve better than typical politicians whose positions change with the political winds,” said Rubio for Senate spokesman Alex Burgos. “Marco Rubio is the only candidate Floridians can trust to go to Washington, be a check and balance against the policies that are bankrupting our country and offer a clear, conservative alternative.”

Background:

Last Week, Charlie Crist Vetoed Nearly $9.7 Million In State Funding For The Shands Hospital At The University Of Florida – An “Unexpected” Move Because “Crist Had Recommended The Funding As Part Of The Budget.” “A veto by Gov. Charlie Crist on Friday of nearly $9.7 million in state funding for Shands at the University of Florida will dramatically impact the hospital’s ability to care for under-insured and uninsured patients, Shands HealthCare CEO Tim Goldfarb wrote Saturday in a memo. Goldfarb said in the memo that the veto was unexpected because Crist had recommended the funding as part of the budget and approved it in his previous three proposed budget plans. Goldfarb added the total impact could be even greater because the state cut could lead to a reduction in federal money. ‘In addition to the $9.7 million reduction from the state, it is anticipated that Shands at UF will lose at least an additional $12 million and potentially millions more in federal funding through the Medicaid match program for a total impact of at least $21 million in lost funding for the next fiscal year,’ Goldfarb said in the memo. ‘A loss of this magnitude will dramatically impact Shands at UF’s ability to continue to meet the increasing demands placed on the hospital to care for the under- and uninsured.’” (Cindy Swirko, “Shands Calls $9.7M Sliced By Governor Devastating,” Gainesville Sun, 5/30/10)

Gainesville Sun Editorial: “And Then, When The Legislature Follows His Recommendation, Crist Vetoes The $9.7 Million Allocation.” “First Gov. Charlie Crist recommends continued state funding for Shands at UF. And then, when the Legislature follows his recommendation, Crist vetoes the $9.7 million allocation. That senseless veto will have a devastating impact on Shands’ ability to provide care for poor and uninsured Floridians. And it’s not just the loss of nearly $10 million in state funds that will hurt. As Shands CEO Tim Goldfarb pointed out last week, the teaching hospital could lose $12 million or more in federal matching funds.” (Editorial, “A Cruel Veto,” Gainesville Sun, 6/2/10)

The Money For Shands Teaching Hospital Was “Personally Backed” By Senate Budget Chief J.D. Alexander (R). “Alexander’s personal rebuke from the governor didn’t stop there. Crist blocked $9.7 million meant for Shands – a project Alexander personally backed for the hospital affiliated with his beloved Florida Gators.” (Aaron Deslatte, “Crist Vetoes Cannon, Alexander, Atwater Home Front Goodies,” Orlando Sentinel’s “Central Florida Political Pulse” Blog, 6/1/10)

But Charlie Crist’s Own Budget Recommendation In January 2010 Requested The Funds For The Shands Hospital At The University Of Florida:

In His Proposed Budget For Fiscal Year 2010-2011, Crist Requested Nearly $9.7 Million For The Shands Teaching Hospital. “185 Special Categories, Grants And Aids – Shands Teaching Hospital, From General Revenue Fund . . . . . 9,673,569” (Office Of Governor Charlie Crist, “Fiscal Year 2010-11 Governor’s Recommended General Appropriations Act,” http://www.thepeoplesbudget.state.fl.us/reports/governors_bill_2010.pdf, Pg. 39)

Read The Specific Budget Request For The Shands Teaching Hospital With Full Justification As Written By The Governor’s Office: http://www.thepeoplesbudget.state.fl.us/billview/billdetail2.aspx?sec=03&srv=68501400&ac=101321&pg=39&sj=t&sa=&sp=

Read The Human Services Appropriations Bill Budget Request From The Governor Listing The Shands Teaching Hospital Line-Item: http://www.thepeoplesbudget.state.fl.us/billview/absearch.aspx?ai=&sec=&tkw=shands

Read Page 39 Of The Appropriations Bill Budget Request Listing The Shands Teaching Hospital Line-Item: http://www.thepeoplesbudget.state.fl.us/billview/billpage.aspx?pg=39

Miami, FL – One year ago today, Charlie Crist broke his promise to the people of Florida by signing a budget that included “$2.2 billion in new fees and taxes.” In doing so, Crist violated a no-new-taxes pledge he made in 2006 and signed only weeks earlier in May 2009. This serves as just another example of why Floridians can’t trust Charlie Crist. But more importantly, this unhappy anniversary is a reminder that Floridians need someone they can trust to keep their word and go to Washington to stand up to the Federal government’s out-of-control spending.

“One-year ago, Charlie Crist betrayed the public’s trust by breaking his pledge not to increase taxes and instead forcing Floridians to foot the bill with higher taxes,” Rubio for Senate spokesman Alex Burgos said. “This unhappy anniversary for Floridians is a stark reminder that Marco Rubio is the only candidate we can trust to go to Washington, serve as a check and balance to the Obama-Crist-Meek agenda of out-of-control spending and offer a clear, conservative alternative.”

Background:

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. … By not vetoing the new taxes, Crist violated a no-new-taxes pledge he made on the campaign trail in 2006. He also has signed an antitax pledge geared toward governors, written by the conservative Washington group Americans for Tax Reform. Earlier this month, the Republican governor signed a similar no-new-taxes pledge for federal candidates now that he’s running for the U.S. Senate.” (Marc Caputo, “Gov. Crist Signs $66.5 Billion Budget, Breaks Tax Pledge,” St. Petersburg Times, 5/28/09)

• Crist Raised “A Historic Amount Of Taxes, Fees Licenses And Rates.” “Lawmakers are raising a historic amount of taxes, fees, licenses and rates – about $2 billion worth – on smokers, property owners, drivers, parkgoers, sportsmen, university students and customers of state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp.” (Marc Caputo, “Get Ready For More Taxes, Less Service From Florida Budget Deal” Miami Herald, 5/05/09)

• CATO Institute’s Chris Edwards: “Crist Approved A Huge $2.2 Billion Tax Increase For The Fiscal 2010 Budget.” “In particular, Crist approved a huge $2.2 billion tax increase for the fiscal 2010 budget, even though he had promised that $12 billion in federal ‘stimulus’ money showered on Florida over three years would obviate the need for tax increases. These tax increases will be particularly painful to Floridians in the short-term because of the recession.” (Chris Edwards, “Crist And CATO,” Cato@Liberty Blog, 10/26/09)

• Americans For Tax Reform: “Crist Went Against His Commitment To Floridians On Wednesday And Broke His Pledge As Governor To ‘Oppose And Veto Any And All Tax Increases.’” “Today, taxpayers expressed disappointment that Gov. Charlie Crist went against his commitment to Floridians on Wednesday and broke his Pledge as governor to ‘oppose and veto any and all tax increases.’ … The $65 billion-plus fiscal year FY2010 budget Crist signed … requires an estimated $800 million in ‘fee’ increases, many of which are actually mislabeled tax increases. … ‘I’m deeply disappointed Governor Crist broke the Pledge he made to Floridians about how he would govern,’ said Christopher Butler, Chief of Staff at Americans for Tax Reform. ‘The crisis in Florida is too much government spending, not insufficient taxation.’” (Americans For Tax Reform, “Taxpayers Disappointed with Crist Pledge Violation,” Press Release, 5/29/09)