Tallahassee, FL – Today, McCollum for Governor Campaign Manager Matt Williams issued the following statement on recent inaccurate claims made by Alex Sink regarding Medicaid fraud, earning the Sink Campaign and Florida Democrats another penalty flag from the St. Petersburg Times’ Politifact:

“For the second time in a week, researchers at Politifact have called out Florida Democrats for inaccurate, false and ‘flimsy’ attacks on Attorney General McCollum – going as far as to say Sink’s latest claim ‘ignores reality.’

“Coming on the heels of reports that the Sink campaign has lost senior advisors, it is clear this message-less, issue-less campaign is failing to gain traction with Florida voters and is now resorting to desperate, flailing attacks.”

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

“FALSE: Alex Sinks says ‘nobody’ paying attention to Medicaid fraud in Florida”
ST. PETERSBURG TIMES POLITIFACT
March 5, 2010

Excerpts:

“‘That Medicaid thing is just glaring,’ Sink said in a March 4, 2010, interview with the St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald. ‘And … this is nothing new, this is not a new problem. Nobody has been talking about it, focused on it, or paying attention to it. It goes on and on and on. Very frustrating.’”

…

“We’ll cut to the chase. It turns out lots and lots of people — including McCollum — have.

“Medicaid fraud, in fact, has been a constant topic of discussion among state lawmakers since at least 2004.

“From the highlight reel:

• “Former Gov. Jeb Bush signed a bill in 2004 requiring prior government authorization for patients seeking certain medications and limited Medicaid recipients to one doctor or pharmacy. The bill also increased penalties for drug dealers selling drugs paid for by Medicaid.

• “A 2007 bill gave the attorney general the ability to recover triple damages in Medicaid fraud cases.

• “The Legislature passed a bill in 2008 that increased oversight of home health agencies and nursing businesses that provided Medicaid services.

• “In 2009, the Legislature passed and the governor signed a health care bill specifically addressing Medicaid fraud. The bill, SB 1986, created incentives for people reporting cases of Medicaid fraud, according to Senate staff analysis. (McCollum later allocated $1 million). It increased penalties for Medicaid fraud and increased licensing standards. It also designated Miami-Dade County as a ‘health care fraud crisis area’ and directed the Agency for Health Care Administration to start two pilot projects to better control and prevent fraud in South Florida.”
…
• “McCollum, specifically, also has been involved. As attorney general, he twice wrote to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius asking for a federal waiver to expand some fraud detection programs in his Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. That unit, meanwhile, has seen Medicaid fraud convictions steadily rise, from 38 in 2004 to 64 in 2007 to 109 in 2009, the attorney general’s office reported.

“That’s a contrast to the number of cases opened — the figure Sink cited. The attorney general’s office says that’s because it changed the way it classifies when a case is opened. Previously, every complaint constituted an open case. Now, only complaints with merit become a case.

“Fighting against Medicaid fraud has long been a priority of state government, said Alan Levine, who served as the Agency for Health Care Administration secretary under Gov. Jeb Bush. AHCA manages the Medicaid program, while the attorney general’s office investigates and prosecutes fraud cases.

“’We made fighting fraud a huge effort,’ said Levine, who now leads Louisiana’s health department. ‘Legislatures going back eight or nine years passed sweeping measures with significant statute changes for the sole purpose of fighting fraud.’

“Levine said in his office he had anywhere between 50 and 100 people examining Medicaid claims, in addition to the 200 or so investigating fraud in the attorney general’s office. The problem, he said, is the system — which pays out the claims before regulators have a chance to look at the charges. As he talked, he kept referring back to a 2006 Associated Press article to help make his point. Its title, ‘Florida’s Efforts to Crack Down on Medicaid Fraud Paying Off.’

“The story said fighting fraud was one of Levine’s ‘biggest priorities.’”

“McCollum, in the same story, agreed that there was room for improvement.”
…
“But any inference that elected officials are just letting the money walk out the door ignores reality.”

“Democrats and Republicans in the House and the Senate are proposing legislation each year meant to clamp down on Medicaid abuses. The House held a previously scheduled hearing about Medicaid and Medicaid fraud the very morning after Sink made her claim. The state Senate talked about Medicaid fraud the same week as well. McCollum, meanwhile, has at least twice written to federal officials in Washington suggesting a fix that he says will better protect Florida against fraud. And more than 250 people are employed at two state agencies to monitor Medicaid payouts for fraud and abuse.

“At PolitiFact Florida, we always say words matter. In this case, Sink said, ‘Nobody has been talking about (Medicaid fraud), focused on it, or paying attention to it.’ While the outcomes may not be to her liking, people are paying attention. For that, we rate her claim False.”

To view the entire article, visit http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2010/mar/05/alex-sink/alex-sinks-nobody-medicaid-fraud/. For more information, campaign news, and updates, visit www.BillMcCollum.com.

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Tallahassee, FL –Today, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum issued the following statement on the federal unemployment announcement today:

“The national job figures out today are more evidence the economic policies advocated by President Obama and his Democratic allies are not helping put Americans back to work. Here in Florida, where nearly 1.1 million Floridians are without a job, our unemployment rate is substantially higher than the national average.

“While Harry Reid finds it acceptable the U.S. economy shed 36,000 jobs in February, I find it unacceptable Congress isn’t taking greater strides to create jobs and recharge our economy. This week the Florida Legislature convened its 2010 session. I applaud the leadership in the Senate and House for making job creation and assistance to Florida businesses a priority. In Florida – unlike in Washington where the misguided health care debate inexplicably remains at the top of the Democrats’ agenda – our chief focus is economic recovery.

“As Governor, there is nothing more important than getting Floridians back to work, and that will be my top priority. We will find innovative solutions to the challenges before us to ensure our most prosperous days are before us.”

For more information, campaign news, and updates, visit www.BillMcCollum.com.

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“Trial Attorneys in Crosshairs”
SUNSHINE STATE NEWS
By Kenric Ward

“Attorney General Bill McCollum’s first order of legislative business is to go after attorneys — and he’s hoping the third time will be a charm.

“It’s one in a series of tort-reform initiatives that will pit business interests against the trial bar at the 2010 session.

“Topping McCollum’s list of priorities is a bill that would limit the Attorney General’s Office from entering into contracts with private attorneys to represent the state.

“Senate Bill 712 is sponsored by state Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine. Thrasher, a former House speaker and newly ensconced chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, has been a longtime advocate of tort reform.

“SB 712 and companion House Bill 437 by Rep. Eric Eisnaugle, R-Orlando, aim to curb what many lawmakers consider to be excesses by privatizing the state’s legal work via contingency fees.

“In the high-stakes fight against Big Tobacco, for example, Florida paid private litigators up to $120,000 an hour to sue cigarette companies.

“Lack of Transparency

“Though the Attorney General’s Office has the authority to use outside counsel through contingency-fee agreements, critics argue that such arrangements lack control and transparency.

“‘Compensation comes out of the state’s coffers without first going through an appropriations process and is subtracted from judgments awarded to the state for damages incurred by the people of Florida,’ says William Large, president of the Tallahassee-based Florida Justice Reform Institute.

“‘Allowing private attorneys to sue on behalf of the state’s attorney general shifts the power into the hands of private attorneys, who are then given a pecuniary interest in the outcome of the legislation.’

“Noting that the state shelled out a whopping $3.4 billion in attorney fees in the battle against Big Tobacco, Large says checks and balances are required.
“McCollum’s reform package would:

“• Require the attorney general to make a written determination that representation by a private attorney is both cost-effective and in the public interest.

“• Mandate that private legal services engaged on a contingency basis be competitively procured, if feasible.

“• Impose an aggregate contingency of 25 percent of any recovery up to $10 million; plus 20 percent of the next $5 million in recoveries; plus 15 percent of the next $5 million in recoveries; plus 10 percent of the next $5 million in recoveries; plus 5 percent of any portion of the recovery that exceeds $25 million.

“• Set a $50 million cap on contingency fees.

“•Order that payment of contingency fees be posted on the attorney general’s website within 15 days and remain posted for at least 180 days.

“McCollum, the leading Republican gubernatorial candidate, has not signed any contingency agreements during his term as attorney general, said spokeswoman Sandi Copes. His previous efforts at reform have been beaten back by trial lawyers in the Legislature, Copes said.

“‘Appetite’ for Reform

“Thrasher has also taken heat from the trial bar, which spent $1 million in an unsuccessful effort to derail his bid for Senate.

“Noting that pieces of McCollum’s package passed the Florida House of Representatives last year, Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach, said, “There is a significant appetite in the Florida House of Representatives to work with General McCollum in passing these reforms.”

“McCollum’s plan already has won the backing of fellow State Board of Administration members Gov. Charlie Crist (a former AG) and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, a Democrat. The board has agreed to implement his proposed contingency reforms in its legal dealings.

“McCollum’s initiative has the enthusiastic backing of the National Federation of Independent Business-Florida, which calls skyrocketing legal expenses a double-whammy for the private sector and the taxpayers.

“By way of comparison, the NFIB noted that the 2003 Legislature enacted reforms that limited attorneys’ fees in workers’ compensation cases. The frequency of claims and lawsuits plummeted, culminating in a 60 percent decrease in workers’ comp premiums over five years.

“In October 2008, however, the Florida Supreme Court lifted the cap on attorneys’ fees, effectively returning the state to the pre-2003 workers’ compensation system. Then, in 2009, Legislature reinstated the attorney fee provision cap and workers’ comp rates declined again.

“Lawyers Vow Fight

“Trial lawyers have vowed to fight that attorney fee provision again — and expect them to fight McCollum’s measure, too.

“John Morgan, a national personal-injury attorney who heads the firm of Morgan & Morgan, with offices throughout the state, calls McCollum’s legislation ‘a political stunt’ and a “b——t bill’ that will be opposed again this year.

“’It’s red meat for the right-wing constituency, but you don’t need this legislation. The attorney general can negotiate these terms right now. If he can’t, God help us all,’ Morgan said.

“The legislative battle promises to widen with the introduction of other tort-reform measures introduced this session.

“Sen. Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, is sponsoring SB 1224, which would make it tougher to win judgments against businesses in so called slip-and-fall cases. The senate bill, along with HB 689, would require injured persons to prove that a business establishment had actual knowledge of a dangerous condition and should have taken action to remedy it.

“The bills seek to ease the effect of cases like Owens v. Publix (2001), in which the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the mere existence of a substance or object on the floor ‘creates a rebuttable presumption that the premise’s owner did not maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition.’

“Logical Standard Sought

“‘Reinserting a logical standard of constructive notice will help protect Florida businesses from abusive and unduly expensive litigation, without jeopardizing the meritorious claims of patrons,’ FJRI’s Large said.

“Morgan disagrees. ‘This will simply result in a bunch of dirty stores with unsafe conditions.’

“‘But legislators will vote for it because Winn-Dixie and Wal-Mart are big contributors,’ he added.

Philip DeBerard, a Stuart-based attorney, suggests that the bills are an over-reaction by companies that cut corners.

“‘We’re not talking about random spills at stores, but about refrigeration units that leak onto the floor day after day. Companies need to think about customer safety.’

“Sens. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, and Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, are sponsoring SB 744, which would redefine the terms ‘negligence action’ and “products liability action” and require courts to consider the fault of all parties to an accident when apportioning damages in a product-liability case alleging additional or enhanced injuries.

“Along with HB 433, SB 744 would ‘ensure that in all product-liability cases, the jury has the opportunity to consider the fault of those who caused the accident, as well as continuing to consider the fault of the manufacturer for any alleged defect which cause greater injuries,’ Large said.

“ ‘Otherwise, juries will continue to decide cases in a vacuum, with the fault of the truly responsible party hidden from view, allowing plaintiff’s attorneys to once again unfairly target the business community for their own personal gain,’ he added.

“DeBerard discounted the need for this legislation, saying, ‘You can’t hide guilty parties. It all comes out of the judgment.’”

For more information, campaign news, and updates, visit www.BillMcCollum.com.

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Tallahassee, FL – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum issued the following statement regarding the United States Department of Education’s announcement of the first round of finalists for the competitive Race to the Top initiative:

“Today’s announcement by Secretary Arne Duncan confirms Florida is on the right track to building the world-class education system critical to attracting the businesses and entrepreneurs at the backbone of the 21st century knowledge-based economy.

“I applaud Florida Education Commissioner Eric Smith for his aggressive pursuit of these federal dollars. Under his leadership and the guidance of a broad coalition of stakeholders, Florida has put forward a bold and comprehensive plan to capitalize on this critical opportunity for our students, teachers and schools.

“I am disappointed the Florida Education Association and many of its affiliated organizations remain opposed to Florida’s Race to the Top bid. Hopefully, the federal government’s decision to select Florida as one of 16 finalists is a signal that the ultimate goal of our education system must be preparing students to succeed in the increasingly competitive global marketplace.

“As Governor, education will be one of my top priorities. Tremendous progress has been made in the last decade, but more must be done. I am committed to implementing and expanding aggressive education reform efforts to ensure every single Florida child has access to a quality education.”

For more information, campaign news, and updates, visit www.BillMcCollum.com.

BACKGROUND: Bill McCollum: Standing Up for Florida’s Students

• ST. PETERSBURG TIMES: “McCollum also urged the Florida Education Association to end its opposition to the state’s application, calling the union’s position ‘unconscionable’ because it could cause the state to lose millions of dollars.” (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES GRADEBOOK BLOG, “Florida AG McCollum backs the state’s Race to the Top effort,” 1/6/10)

• ORLANDO SENTINEL: McCollum, who is running for governor, also sharply criticized the Florida Education Association (the state’s largest teachers union) for “ obstruction of good public policy.” He called the union’s opposition to the state’s planned application ”unconscionable” because it could jeopardize Florida’s chances of winning the money. (ORLANDO SENTINEL SCHOOL ZONE BLOG, “McCollum supports DOE’s Race to Top plans, criticizes union’s ‘obstruction of ‘good public policy,’ 1/6/10)

• ST. PETERSBURG TIMES: “Former Board of Education Chairman Phil Handy will lead McCollum’s education policy advisory council, among a dozen or so such councils to be created.” (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES BUZZ BLOG, “What we learned from Bill McCollum’s Tampa campaign event” 12/16/09)

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Tallahassee, FL – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum issued the following statement regarding the commencement of the 2010 Florida Legislative Session:

“As the Florida Legislature commences its regular session, I applaud Senate President Atwater, Speaker Cretul and members in both chambers for their commitment to reviving our state’s economy and putting Floridians back to work. As evidence of this commitment, both the Senate and House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation today to roll back unemployment compensation tax increases – alleviating the tax burden on struggling businesses during these challenging times.

“Within the next 60 days, lawmakers are going to have to make tough choices. Here in Florida, as opposed to in Washington, we must balance our budget, just as families in our state do. By eliminating wasteful spending, cutting bureaucracy and making government more efficient, I’m confident we can squarely address the challenges before us.

“As Governor, one of my chief priorities will be taking every measure possible to make government work more effectively for Floridians. I am committed to conducting a top-down review of government spending and ensuring we don’t grow government beyond our means to pay for it.

“In the coming months, I look forward to presenting a bold economic policy agenda for Florida and educating voters on our plan to create jobs, keep taxes low and recharge and diversify our economy. With a little ingenuity, a lot of hard work, and faith in the abilities of free people, we can ensure our state remains a beacon for the entrepreneurs and innovators that will create prosperity for generations of Floridians to come.”

For more information, campaign news, and updates, visit www.BillMcCollum.com.

# # #

“For gun owners and Second Amendment advocates, the U.S. Supreme Court decision in District of Columbia v. Heller was a landmark case overturning an unconstitutional ban on firearm ownership. The court held that the federal right to keep and bear arms is an individual right, as meaningful today as in the founding of our country.

“Today, the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments in the case McDonald v. Chicago to decide whether gun rights apply to state and local governments just as with the federal government. I have joined several other attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in support of our fundamental right to keep and bear arms.

“The city of Chicago prohibits possession of unregistered firearms. The city also refuses to issue registration certificates for handguns. Failure to have one of these registration certificates subjects handgun owners in Chicago to having their guns confiscated. The petitioners seeking relief in this case are ordinary people who want to own handguns in their homes for personal protection. The local regulation in Chicago effectively takes away their Second Amendment rights.

“The key issue before the U.S. Supreme Court is whether the Second Amendment’s federal constitutional right should be incorporated under the 14th Amendment to apply to all states and cities, just as do other federal rights such as free speech or no unreasonable searches and seizures. If Chicago’s unconstitutional and unfair law is allowed to stand, nearly 3 million residents, and possibly millions more in other cities, will essentially be denied their right to keep and bear arms under the U.S. Constitution.
“The right to keep and bear arms has been a fundamental right since our nation’s founding. As early as 1765 in England, William Blackstone published commentaries explaining that the right to bear arms was a fundamental right that arose from the natural right of self-preservation. The American colonists considered the right to arms as a primary right of Englishmen. The ‘Federalist Papers’ contain numerous references to the importance of the right to bear arms, and how essential it was to preserve this right along with other fundamental freedoms.

“Florida’s Constitution provides: ‘The right of the people to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves and of the lawful authority of the state shall not be infringed, except that the manner of bearing arms may be regulated by law’ (Article 1, Section 8). Florida has a state constitutional right that is close to the Second Amendment as determined by the U.S. Supreme Court in Heller.

“Not all states do. Florida is an example to other states that stronger individual gun rights help protect our citizenry and ultimately help ensure public safety. If Florida’s right is ever threatened, a Second Amendment right that is incorporated to the states will continue to protect the rights of Floridians in the future.

“While state and local governments have the power to legislate and regulate, this power does not include the power to experiment with people’s fundamental rights. The Second Amendment is an important right of every American, and it should be treated as equally important as our other fundamental rights under the U.S. Constitution. When the U.S. Supreme Court hands down its decision, let’s hope that’s the way the court sees it, too.”

To access this article online, please visit http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20100302/OPINION05/3020302/1006/OPINION. For more information, campaign news, and updates, visit www.BillMcCollum.com.

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ST. PETERSBURG TIMES: “Senior adviser leaves Alex Sink campaign.” (St. Petersburg Times, “Senior adviser leaves Alex Sink campaign”02/25/10)

• TIMES: “Not a great sign for a campaign already facing widespread doubts about its strength and stability: Marc Farinella, general consultant to the Alex Sink gubernatorial campaign, has jumped ship.” (St. Petersburg Times, “Senior adviser leaves Alex Sink campaign,” 02/25/10)

MSNBC’s CHUCK TODD: “…Democrats are whispering worries about Sink both in Florida and in Washington. They feel like the campaign has gotten off to a slow start…” (MSNBC THE DAILY RUNDOWN, 02/24/10)

TAMPA TRIBUNE: “In the general election matchup for governor, McCollum got 42 percent and Sink 29 percent in a sample of 614 likely voters with a 4-point error margin.  For Sink, that’s a drop from 35 percent in the Chamber’s last poll in October…” (Tampa Tribune March on Politics Blog, “That Chamber poll: Rubio by 18, McCollum by 13,” 02/26/10)

ORLANDO SENTINEL: “Rasmussen Poll: McCollum up 13 points on Sink” (Orlando Sentinel Central Florida Political Pulse Blog, “Rasmussen Poll: McCollum up 13 points on Sink,” 02/26/10)

POLITIFACT: “National GOP group’s shot at gubernatorial candidate is pretty on-target.” (St. Petersburg Times/ Miami Herald PolitiFact Florida, “Republican Governors Association blasts Sink’s record, compensation as bank executive,” 02/24/10)

REAL CLEAR POLITICS: “The survey showing McCollum with a commanding lead comes as the RGA has launched its first paid media campaign of the cycle against Sink. While some have criticized Sink for a passive campaign thus far, defining the Democrat early could help make it hard for her to rebound quickly.” (Real Clear Politics, “FL Gov Poll: McCollum (R) +13,” 02/24/10)

ASSOCIATED PRESS: “The Republican Governors Association is airing the first television ad of the governor’s race, attacking Democrat Alex Sink’s career as a banker.” (Associated Press, “TV war starts in Fla. gov’s race; ad attacks Sink,” 02/23/10)

• AP: “The RGA said it spent several hundreds of thousands on the ads and is showing it on broadcast and cable stations.” (Associated Press, “TV war starts in Fla. gov’s race; ad attacks Sink,” 02/23/10)

WASHINGTON POST: “Florida is one of several VERY expensive states expected to be competitive this fall and by making their first ad buy in the Sunshine State the RGA seems to be sending a message about its commitment to running and winning in places that President Obama carried in 2008.” (Washington Post The Fix Blog, “Obama job approval numbers hover around 50 percent,” 02/23/10)

ORLANDO SENTINEL: “How incompetent are Florida Democrats?” (Orlando Sentinel Mike Thomas Blog, “How incompetent are Florida Democrats?,” 02/24/10)

For more information, campaign news, and updates, visit www.BillMcCollum.com.  

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Tallahassee, FL – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum issued the following statement regarding the Health Care Summit hosted today by the White House:

“Despite espousing transparency, the Obama Administration’s decision to exclude our nation’s governors from today’s Health Care Summit is a clear signal the President and his Democratic allies in Congress are not serious about engaging in a bipartisan and thoughtful policymaking process.

“Instead of going back to the drawing board to develop pragmatic solutions to our health care challenges, Washington Democrats are intent on railroading through Congress legislation that will raise taxes, kill jobs, reduce quality of care for Americans and dramatically impact every state budget in the country.

“Architects of the White House’s health care proposal had the opportunity to engage 50 chief executives but chose not to – despite the fact many of them are already tackling health care reform through innovative measures that make sense for their individual states. Instead, President Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are sticking by a tremendously unpopular and expensive plan.

“Unfortunately, as evidenced by her refusal to weigh in on the health care debate, we may never know where my opponent Alex Sink stands on this issue. Despite a record of giving thousands in personal campaign contributions to the same tax-and-spend Washington liberals driving this disastrous legislation, Alex Sink continues to duck the tough questions Floridians expect a candidate for governor to address.”

For more information, campaign news, and updates, visit www.BillMcCollum.com.

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“We applaud Alex Sink’s sudden fondness for ethics reform, much like her fondness for counting paper clips now that she’s running for Governor. Bill McCollum’s record speaks volumes about his commitment to integrity, open government and doing the right thing.

“To roll out a political stunt masquerading as ethics reform when Alex Sink has yet to answer basic questions regarding her own transgressions is disingenuous. It’s time for Alex Sink to answer the tough questions:

• “Did your former Chief of Staff, and now Campaign Manager, Jim Cassady facilitate an SBA pay to play scheme with guilty ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein after he held a fundraiser for you and delivered $200,000 to the Florida Democratic Party?
o (As St. Petersburg Times columnist Daniel Ruth aptly put it, “…since Rothstein’s law firm had virtually no securities law expertise, this would have been a bit like appointing Joe Pesci’s faux lawyer character in My Cousin Vinny to the U.S. Supreme Court.”)

• “Is your gubernatorial bid to be blamed for this dramatic change of heart on the gift ban?
o “You told Tallahassee Tiger Bay members that the gift ban was ‘the stupidest damn rule’ when a lobbyist can’t even buy you a cup of coffee. As noted in the Lakeland Ledger (8/12/07), you added, ‘I’m traveling all over the state, meeting groups that invite me to speak as your chief financial officer about what we’re doing and how I’m serving the citizens. Now I just steal stuff.’ She then glanced at a member of the Florida Commission on Ethics at the head table. ‘Just joking,’ Sink added. ‘Maybe.’

• “Will you agree to require spouses of statewide candidates to disclose their earnings and assets, instead of shielding them from public view as you did during your husband’s campaign for Governor in 2002? (St. Petersburg Times, 9/7/02).

“Florida voters are tired of politicians who launch political stunt after political stunt in an attempt to improve their image, and then fail to answer basic questions about their own record. It’s time for Alex Sink to own up to her own ethics failings and do what voters expect from someone running to be CEO of the fourth largest state in the nation – answer questions. People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”

For more information, campaign news, and updates, visit www.BillMcCollum.com.

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“McCollum addresses Lincoln Day crowd”
THE VILLAGES DAILY SUN
By Daisy Moon
February 21, 2010

“THE VILLAGES — Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum has a ‘road map’ in mind — a plan, he says, that can lead to a better Florida for generations to come.

“On Saturday evening, McCollum, Republican candidate for governor of Florida, served as a guest speaker during the annual Lincoln Day Dinner held at Savannah Center.

“Also in attendance were numerous representatives of the Republican party, as well as Villages residents eager to learn what measures McCollum has in mind, should he win the November election.

“Chuck Freedman and wife Mimi, Village of Santiago residents, milled about the beautiful dining room before taking their seats for the much-anticipated soiree.

“Both staunch members of the Republican party, the Freedmans were curious as to what points their potential governor would address in the coming hour.

“‘These events are interesting,’ Chuck Freedman said. ‘But I’m here to see what the leaders of the Republican party have to say.’

“One issue that concerns this Villager? Spending.

“‘If we don’t have that under control, everybody down the road will have a big problem,’ Freedman said.

“As friends and neighbors passed by, the Freedmans admitted the event wasn’t strictly about the politics, however.

“‘We have a good time,’ Chuck Freedman said.

“‘It’s very nice,’ wife Mimi said of the beautiful decor and exquisite cuisine. ‘Very well put together. They do a very good job.’

“McCollum, too, liked what he saw. But it wasn’t only the Savannah Center that caught his attention. Rather, McCollum has long been a fan of Florida’s Friendliest Hometown, he said.

“‘The Villages is an incredible place as far as a center of Republicanism,’ McCollum shared, prior to his address. ‘And it’s also just a beautiful place to live.’

“The Villages is ‘like no other place I know of in the country,’ McCollum said, ‘where you have this kind of village environment. It’s like a small town. It’s very warm, very friendly.’

“And it’s to those sincerely welcoming Villages residents that McCollum offered his ideas for a better Florida, should he be elected governor.

“One thing on his agenda? Creating jobs.

“‘I think President Obama and the National Democrats are more interested in growing government than they are in growing the economy,’ McCollum said.

“With his audience he shared his concerns over Obama’s program and “the failure to do the things we need to do to create jobs.”

“‘Florida has 1.1 million people unemployed,’ McCollum said. ‘So we need to grow jobs, and the federal government is not helping matters.’

“‘What we need up there is to cut the capital gains tax, not raise it,’ he said. ‘We need to reduce the corporate income tax. We need to do things that will reduce the regulatory burdens on small businesses.’

“Should he win the the gubernatorial race, McCollum says he hopes to put in to effect strategy that will ‘lure businesses here and grow businesses and create permanent jobs, good jobs.’

“‘In order to do that we need to keep taxes low,’ he said. ‘We need to have common sense regulations. We need to dramatically improve our public education system.’

“In order to reach the place to which he hopes his ‘road map’ will lead, three ‘really big issues’ must be faced, McCollum said.

“‘We have to face squarely property insurance, property taxes and water,’ he said.

“Though he readily admits that solving such problems is no light task, McCollum believes that should he take the seat of Florida governor, those objectives will be met with determination.

“‘I’m confident that we can bring the best and brightest together to lay out what are the problems in each area,’ he explained.

“‘As your next governor, I want to lead a conversation with the people of Florida,’ McCollum said, ‘and build a consensus on what the solution is and how we will solve that problem.’

“He added with assurance, ‘We will solve that problem.’”

To access this article online, please visit http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/articles/2010/02/21/news/news02.txt. For more information, campaign news, and updates, visit www.BillMcCollum.com.

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