A year and a half after slipping $6-million into the state budget for an emergency facility at his hometown airport, House Speaker Ray Sansom led a hastily arranged meeting with local officials to explain how they might use it.

The meeting, held Dec. 10, came four days after the St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee bureau reported that the airport building was originally proposed by a friend of Sansom's, Jay Odom, a developer who wanted to park his jets in a taxpayer-funded hangar.

Officials deny the meeting was damage control. "It was to lay the groundwork of how the building was going to be used," said Tuffy Dixon, chief of the Destin Fire Control District.

But some critics, who say there is no burning need for an emergency operations center at the airport, question the events. "It's CYA time," said former Destin Mayor Ken Beaird. "They got caught and now they're trying to justify … an aircraft hangar." (story here)

You can't tell the players without a scorecard and the governor's staffers had 'em, even though these guests all wore name tags. (The scorecard is a pocket guide called "2008-2010 Freshman House Members," to help distinguish Eric Eisnaugle from Erik Fresen). Gov. Charlie Crist rolled out the welcome mat at the Mansion Tuesday for the 43 freshman legislators -- not the last time they'll get the royal treatment.

In the Mansion library, Crist debriefed Rep. Mia Jones, D-Jacksonville, on her recent campaign, and asked her to call on him anytime. In brief remarks, he gave shout-outs to Jones; Rep. Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale; Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee; Sen. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale and Rep. Tom Grady, R-Naples. "There's a lot of you," Crist told the large group. "You've got a lot of power, whether you know it or not." 

U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez: “I understand his decision. Jeb would have been a great candidate and senator. The good news is that Republicans still hold the advantage with a deep field of potential candidates.”

Florida Democratic Chairwoman Karen Thurman: ""It is clear that Florida will be a central battleground in the 2010 election. Over the past several years, Democrats have made major gains in Florida winning three of the six statewide elections. On November 2, 2010, Florida will be electing another strong Democrat to the U.S. Senate, who will work to implement President-elect Barack Obama's vision of change and join Sen. Bill Nelson in representing the Sunshine State in the tradition of Bob Graham and Lawton Chiles."

State GOP Chairman Jim Greer: “While we are disappointed in former Governor Bush’s decision not to seek this U.S. Senate seat, Florida Republicans can rest assured that we have a number of outstanding potential candidates. Under the leadership of Republicans like Senator Mel Martinez, former Governor Bush, and Governor Charlie Crist, the Republican Party of Florida has created a formidable cadre of qualified candidates for higher office, and we look forward to seeing their ideas for the future—including lowering taxes on families and businesses and reigning in government spending—in action during a spirited campaign.”

Former House Speaker Marco Rubio: "Obviously, I'm disappointed. (But) I trust his decision-making process and his ability to make the right decision for him and his family...The U.S. Senate is an opportunity that I'm going to seriously explore and will make a decision within the next two weeks."

Former Florida House Speaker John Thrasher: "When Mel made his announcement it seemed like at the time like a great opportunity to give back. And then I think (Jeb) took a step back and evaluated his life and his family and where he is. It just wasn't the right time to do it...Bill McCollum's a formidable guy."

GOP bundler Mark Guzzetta: " I take solace in knowing that Jeb is smarter than I so there must be bigger and better plan. Jeb will stay relevent by the power of his ideas...There's no doubt in my mind he would have won. without him in the race i think it's still very competitive for us."

Jeb Bush: "After thoughtful consideration, I've decided not to run for the United States Senate in 2010. While the opportunity to serve my state and country during these turbulent and dynamic times is compelling, now is not the right time to return to elected office.

“In the coming months and years, I hope to play a constructive role in the future of the Republican Party, advocating ideas and policies that solve the pressing problems of our day. We must rebuild the Party by focusing on the common purposes and core conservative principles that unite us all –- limited government, a strong national defense and safe homeland, and the protection of liberty tempered by personal responsibility."

“While fundamentally different ideologies divide Republicans and Democrats, we can not allow politics to come before the needs of our people and communities. We must raise the level of debate to reflect the American people’s desire for change and bipartisanship, embodied by November’s historic election.

President-elect Obama ran a tremendous campaign and I am proud to call him my President. I am confident Republicans will find productive ways to work together with the new administration to advance reforms both sides of the aisle can support."

In a personal note to people he e-mailed, Bush added:

"While I will always have more than fond memories of my years in public office and was humbled by the outpouring of support I received over the last few weeks, now is not my time to be running for office. To sum it up, in the words of Dr. Stephen Covey, I have decided to put “First Things First.”

"I will continue to stay involved in the advocacy of a vibrant, growing Republican Party and with it, 21st Century conservative solutions to the challenges we face."

Let's Talk: Nominate your dream candidate

*

Schools are carrying the bulk of the nearly $1-billion in spending cuts Florida lawmakers will make this week to balance the budget, including a $14-million cut to Pinellas schools and a $26-million cut to Hillsborough schools, according to details released Tuesday.

Meeting on the second day of a two-week special session to cut the state budget by $2.3-billion, lawmakers said they are trying to shield classrooms from the deepest cuts. The proposed trims amount to $465-million, including a 2 percent reduction in the state's base budget of $3,886 per pupil, or $85.42.

It will be up to Florida's 67 school districts to determine which programs to scale back to implement the cuts between now and June 30. (more here)

*

State Rep. Mike Scionti, D-Tampa, is putting his taxpayer money where his mouth is. The second-term legislator says cost-cutting in his own office has saved $17,000. Among his budget reducing measures: He opted not to attend any of the annual national legislative conferences for a savings of $2,500; he declined the use of a Blackberry offered to each Florida House member; he cut newsletter and other expenses.

"Setting the goal was the easy part. Actually achieving the savings meant finding different ways to cut costs both big and small without diminishing services," Scionti said in a statement. "I believe that we can solve our state’s budget crisis using the same approach that allowed me to save taxpayer money in my district office -– by taking a serious look at all options."

*

Cynthia Russell, a builder from Newberry, Fla., was officially selected to attend the Obama inauguration because of her role as a grass-roots supporter. She gets to attend the swearing-in, the parade and the "neighborhood inaugural ball."

*

An e-mail went out today announcing a reception honoring RPOF Chairman Jim Greer at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando this coming Friday. The break will be a nice respite for lawmakers who have been hearing gloom-and-doom stories all week long about the impact of their cutting the state budget.

The host committee includes Gov. Charlie Crist, Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, Sen. Jeff Atwater, House Speaker Ray Sansom and several lawmakers.

See the e-mail and full list on the jump.

From: Chairman Jim Greer [mailto:xxxx@rpof.org]
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:06 PM
To:
Subject: Invitation from Governor Crist and Host Committee

H O S T  C O M M I T T E E

________________________________

Governor Charlie Crist

US Senator Mel Martinez
Attorney General Bill McCollum
President Jeff Atwater Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp
Commissioner Charles Bronson
Speaker Ray Sansom
Republican Party of Florida State Executive Committee Members*
Dan Abel
Roy Abshier
Rep. Sandy Adams
Adeniyi Aderibigbe
Doug Adkins
Rep. Janet Adkins
Senator Thad Altman
Lane Altom
Erwin Beck
Senator Mike Bennett
Bert Benoit
JJ Beyrouti
David Biddle
Congressman Gus Bilirakis
Katie Bolon
Gerald Braley
Tom Brincefield
Jason Brodeur
Robert E. Brown
Austin Bryant
Congressman Vern Buchanan
Bill Bunting
Rep. Dean Cannon
Gayle Cannon
Chairman Al Cardenas
Rep. Jennifer Carroll
Carol Carter
Doug Conkey
Allen Cox
Deborah Cox-Roush Rep. Steve Crisafulli
Chairman Duke Crittenden
Lenny Curry
Steve Czonstka
Sharon Day
Carla Dean
Senator Charlie Dean
Gary Delatorre
Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart
Tony DiMatteo
Sid Dinerstein
David Dodge
Rep. Chris Dorworth
Leslie Dougher
Senator Mike Fasano
Peter Feaman
Debra Fredrick
John Friskey
Senator Andy Gardner
C.W. Gilbert
Scott Glover
Sherry Goad
Cindy Graves
Rep. Denise Grimsley
Joe Gruters
Daryll Gunter
Dawn Gunter
Robert Hagaman

Fran Hancock
Senator Mike Haridopolis
Sandra Helms
Cynthia Henderson
Deno Hicks
Mike Hightower
Thomas Hogan
Jeff Howell
Rep. Matt Hudson
Linda Ivell
George Jackow
Julius Jackson
Stafford Jones
Chairman Carole Jean Jordan
Mel Karau
Ed Kennedy
Beth Kigel
Kathleen King
Lavigne Kirkpatrick
Louis Kirschner
Chip LaMarca
Tommy Langford
Debbie Large
Brandon Lind
Tom Lockwood
Congressman Connie Mack
Randy Maggard
Elly Manov
Donald Marshall
A.J. Matthews

Edie McCrimmon
Congressman John Mica
Allen Miller
Hal Miller
Susan Moore
Steve Nisbet
Robert Norman
Tim Norris
Chuck Oakes
Lew Oliver
Lona O'Reilly
Heather Parramore
Reece Parrish
Joel Pate
Nancy Patterson
Georgia Phillips
Chairman Van Poole
Congressman Bill Posey
Rep. Steve Precourt
Senator Ken Pruitt
Congressman Adam Putnam
Betty Ramey
Brenda Rees
Lane Rees
Becky Reichenberg
Bob Reid
Carole Reid
Senator Garrett Richter
Nancy Riley
Rep. David Rivera Eugene Roberts
Congressman Tom Rooney
Liliana Ros
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Speaker Marco Rubio
Joseph Rudderow
Paul Senft
Martin Simmons
Donna Solze
Richard Solze
Bob Starr
Robert Staton
Jim Stelling
Senator Ronda Storms
Gina Stuart
Jane Sturges
Hannah Sumner
Dana Swanson
Lorene Thomas
Craig Thompson Jr.
Ana Trinque
Greg Truax
Ray Valdes
Barbara Wall
Rep. Will Weatherford
Richard Windle
Jon Woodard
Congressman C.W. Bill Young
* List at time of printing

Cordially invites you to a Red, White & Blue Reception

Honoring
Chairman James A. Greer

Friday, January 9, 2008
8:00pm-12:00am

Rosen Shingle Creek Resort
PANZACOLA BALLROOM
9939 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32819

Regrets only please to Lela Whitfield at xxxx@RPOF.org

*

A Tallahassee Republican has spent more than $6,000 of his own money to run ads in the Tallahassee Democrat urging Gov. Charlie Crist to launch an investigation into the dealings of House Speaker Ray Sansom.

The half-page ad pictured at left (click to enlarge) is scheduled to run tomorrow. A full-page ad costing about $4,100 was published today.

"The whole thing just infuriates me, the arrogance," said Ray Bellamy, a Tallahassee orthopedist and FSU faculty member who financed the ads for Common Cause. Referring to the money Sansom secured for Northwest Florida State College, Bellamy added: "It's one thing to do these pork projects when economic times are good and you are benefiting your district. It's a far different thing when you are making a job for yourself and lining your own pockets at a time in which you are preaching from a podium that says 'fiscal responsibility.' "

Bellamy says it's not enough that Sansom is quitting the job. "I want this guy out."

He said he spent the money because "in this day and time, to get people's attention, it takes a lot."

Bellamy's last public battle was in 2005, when he and others successfully opposed a chiropractic college at Florida State University.

On Tuesday morning, a reporter asked Crist about Common Cause's full-page ad and what he thought of the request that he appoint a special prosecutor.

"Not much," Crist said. "I think that the speaker did the right thing yesterday when he resigned the position at the college. I'm sure it was difficult, but I respect his decision."

*

Human Events columnist AWR Hawkins is blasting Charlie Crist for naming Jorge LaBaraga to the Florida Supreme Court -- a guy praised by the likes of the St. Pete Times editorial board and state Sen. Alex Villalobos -- instead of Frank Jiminez:

Crist went from nominating someone Ronald Reagan could be proud of in Jimenez to nominating a man supported by the kind of people opposed to choice in education and who are held in high esteem by the ACLU. Has Crist no conservative convictions at all?

*

Gov. Charlie Crist carefully avoids direct criticism of the Legislature. But he voiced disappointment Tuesday that lawmakers' preliminary budget-cutting plans take more money from schools than he proposed. Crist wants them to cut less and borrow more, from bonding for prison beds, a budget stabilization fund and the Lawton Chiles health care endowment.

"What are we supposed to do? Sit around and admire that money? It's there for a reason," Crist told reporters at the Governor's Mansion. "The reason is to utilize it when you're in tough times. Here we are." Lawmakers are leery of increased borrowing because of the interest payments and the fact that Florida's ratio of debt to revenue is already above prudent levels.

Crist has proposed cutting about $600-million in recurring tax revenue from state programs, and legislators tentatively have proposed about $1-billion in cuts, about half of it in education alone. "One of the concerns that I have is that we make these reductions without hurting the end user: the student. So we're watching closely," said Crist, the governor who garnered headlines last year for promising to "hold schools harmless" from cuts. "We'll continue to have discussions about that, and I remain helpful."

Crist invited a group of economic development experts to a "Tallahassee Tuesday" discussion of a new $10-million loan program to help medium-sized companies create more good-paying jobs. Businesses will be able to apply for $250,000 low-interest loans to be repaid within five years.  Asked whether the program is too modest to really stimulate Florida's economy, Crist said: "It certainly doesn't hurt."

--Steve Bousquet   

In Senate General Government appropriations, there was a discussion about whether someone could donate to trust funds to replenish them, say for marine animals, and whether such a contribution would be tax deductible.

Sen. Chairman Carey Baker said he didn't know why anyone would donate to a trust fund, knowing there's a good chance the money would go for something else.

"Where's the trust?" asked Sen. Steve Oelrich.

"We should, maybe, consider changing the names of those to ... the 'not-as-trusting' trust funds?" Baker said.

*

Republican excitement over the prospect of Jeb Bush running for U.S. Senate has given way to increasing speculation that the former governor will stay out of the race.

Bush declined to comment for this article but was expected to make an announcement perhaps as early as this week. Even with his father on national TV Sunday touting Bush as a terrific potential future senator or president, friends say family considerations could outweigh the pull of public service.

Bush may conclude after completing his methodical review process that there are other ways he can help rebuild the GOP besides a Senate career that would take a toll on his consulting business and be difficult for his family.

"I know it's a big struggle for him,'' said former state Republican chairman Al Cardenas, who believes Bush is still undecided. "As his friend I think maybe he's better off where he is. As a Republican who loves his party so much, I know we need him." (story here)

Candidates for RNC chairman -- Saul Anuzis, Ken Blackwell, Mike Duncan, Katon Dawson, Chip Saltsman and Michael Steele -- are participating in an Americans for Tax Reform debate right now in D.C. RPOF Chairman Jim Greer, who is suggesting he might jump in if no one impresses him, is there listening but not speaking.

Meanwhile, Republican National Committeewoman Sharon Day of Broward has announced her candidacy for RNC Secretary: "Many of you, like me, see the outcome of Election Day as a true opportunity rather than a crisis. We have an opportunity to rebuild our Party and to look to our future as the Republican National Committee. While I may be disappointed in the outcome on Election Day, I am not angry and I am not distressed. While others may see our demise, I see our rebirth. While others may see our Party as one without strength, I see our Party ready to be renewed,'' she wrote in an e-mail to RNC members.

*

Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, who ran Jim Davis' gubernatorial campaign, will be the new executive director of the Democratic National Committee. O'Malley, who ran John Edwards' Iowa campaign and then helped lead Barack Obama's battleground state campaigns, is to join the new DNC Chairman, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine.

*

Besieged by criticism over taking a job at his local college after steering millions to the school, House Speaker Ray Sansom announced moments ago that he is reluctantly resigning.

"This has not been an easy decision for me to make," Sansom said, reading from a prepared statement at the outset of a two-week special session to cut $2.3-billion from the budget. "I accepted my position at the college with pure intentions and for good reasons."

His resignation is effective Jan. 31, according to the college.

"Unfortunately, some have disagreed with my decision to work at the college. While I do not question their motives, I strongly object to their conclusions. In all my years in public service, I have sought to act in a manner worthy of the trust that the people have placed in me."

Sansom, R-Destin, took the $110,000 a year vice president job at Northwest Florida State College on the same day in November that he was sworn in as speaker. It was then revealed that over the past two years alone that Sansom secured about $35-million in extra or accelerated funding for the school as well as pushed through legislation favored by college president Bob Richburg. At one point, the two men appeared to circumvent open meeting law by arranging a gathering of the college trustees in Tallahassee to talk about a bill that expanded the school's ability to offer bachelor's degrees.

But while Sansom strenuously defended his actions, pressure mounted statewide for him to resign. Additional questions arose in the weeks that followed, including why he secured $6-million for a building at Destin Airport that was once sought by a private developer and major Republican donor, Jay Odom.

Sansom, 46, was facing an ethics complaint filed by a Clearwater man, who cited a state law says no public officer shall "corruptly use or attempt to use his or her official position … to secure a special privilege, benefit or exemption for himself, herself or others."

The Commission on Ethics is to take up the complaint on Jan. 23.

Fellow lawmakers expressed varying viewpoints, but mostly agreed with him. "Given the feelings in the public, it was appropriate," said Rep. Faye Culp, R-Tampa.

Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, said it was a "statesmanlike" move but controversy was a distraction amid a budget crisis. "I think he took the job with the right intentions. He loves that school, he loves that part of the state."

Rep. Ron Reagan, R-Brandenton, said he was shocked. "He did nothing illegal, he did nothing wrong. You're entitled to make a living in the state of Florida. We're a citizen legislature."

Rep. Ron Saunders, D-Key West: "It would have been a distraction because once you start seeing the (budget) cuts there would be a temptation by the public to say, 'Well, the speaker cuts our schools but here you have this other situation that helps him."

Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park: "It does away with any concerns people had. It was a very statesmanlike thing to do, to say look, 'I don't want anything to be a distraction.' "

Sen. Nan Rich, D-Sunrise: "He was undermining himself" and it was "either this job or the speakership."

-- Times/Herald staff writers Steve Bousquet, Marc Caputo and Mary Ellen Klas contributed to this report.

-------------------

Statement by House Speaker Ray Sansom:

"Members, before we get started I’d like to make a brief, personal announcement. Together with my family, I have decided to resign from my position as a vice president at Northwest Florida State College.

This has not been an easy decision for me to make. I accepted my position at the college with pure intentions and for good reasons. I have long had a passion for education, and I have spent decades working to expand the opportunities available to the people of northwest Florida. Given my interests and my professional experience, serving at the college was a natural next step, and it took me back to an institution that I love and without which I could not have gotten a college degree. God willing, I had hoped to still be working at the college long after my service in elected office was over.

Unfortunately, some have disagreed with my decision to work at the college.  While I do not question their motives, I strongly object to their conclusions.  In all my years in public service, I have sought to act in a manner worthy of the trust that the people have placed in me.

When I became Speaker of the House, I made a commitment to each of you and to the people of Florida that I would put this office and this institution above any personal interests of my own. I will not, and cannot, allow any controversy over my position at the college to divert our focus from serving the needs of the people we represent.

In the weeks since I became Speaker, many of you—Republicans and Democrats alike—have offered my family and me words of support and encouragement, and we sincerely thank you for that.

I appreciate your indulgence in allowing me to make these personal remarks. Now let's get down to the business of this special session."

When he was finished, Sansom was given a round of applause from fellow lawmakers.

Previous coverage:

When new employer asked, lawmaker delivered (Dec. 28)

Sansom, college have money connnection (Nov. 21)

Former president George H.W. Bush said on Fox News Sunday today that Jeb would not just be an outstanding U.S. Senator.

I'd like to see him run," Bush said. "I'd like to see him be president some day.

"As president, it's about service, service for the greatest country on the face of the Earth and the honor that goes with it," Bush said. "I think Jeb fits that description....I mean, right now is probably a bad time, because we've got enough Bushes in there."

"He'd be an outstanding senator. This is a guy that really has a feel for people, the issues in Florida and nationally. And his political days ought not to be over, says his old father."

Florida legislators will start the new year in familiar fashion: by cutting aid to schools and other programs, borrowing money, skimming cash surpluses and hiking traffic and court fees to patch a $2.3-billion hole in a leaky state budget.

The special session that begins Monday marks the third major round of cuts in 10 months and is the result of a prolonged nosedive in tax revenues caused by the recession-racked real estate and credit markets.

Barred by the state Constitution from deficit spending and firmly opposed to new taxes, the state's Republican leaders are in a budgetary corner, forced to further constrict spending.

"Times are bad for Floridians," said Senate Majority Leader Alex Diaz de la Portilla of Miami. "We're going to have to make decisions here that no one will really like." (story here)

Like a lot of Florida Democrats, State Sen. Charlie Justice of  St. Petersburg is not shy about discussing the swirling controversy over Republican House Speaker Ray Sansom getting hired by Northwest Florida State College after funneling millions of dollars to the school.

"It is a distraction to some degree and it makes it harder for us to go back and say, ‘I’m sorry, Florida’s in a tough budget. We had to cut’ when they read about the money that’s spent on other things,’’ Justice said in a Political Connections interview airing on Bay News 9 today at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.

But said he sees no problem with himself helping secure millions of dollars to the University of South Florida, where he works as an academic adviser.

“I think the broadest line should be drawn  between those of us …who were working for the university prior to getting elected. If you get elected and you’re a chairman of a committee that funnels money and then you get hired, certainly that doesn’t look as good,’’ he said, adding that his USF funding efforts went through the normal budgetary review, rather being added with little review at the last minute like Sansom’s.

St. Petersburg's wide open mayoral election could be one of the best races to watch this year. Today Deveron Gibbons filed to run to succeed term-limited Rick Baker, and though it's a non-partisan race, Gibbons, 34, is someone Florida political junkies should keep an eye on. A onetime Ted Kennedy aide, Gibbons is a Republican who worked hard to help elect Charlie Crist and Jeb Bush, and as an African-American is just the kind new face the GOP needs for longterm viability.

Gibbons is young and lacks elective office experience, but he shouldn't be underestimated in this race that lacks a clear frontrunner. He has a crack political team, including media consultant Adam Goodman and former Mitt Romney organizer Nick Hansen, and should be a potent money-raiser. Among the veteran Pinellas Republican activists/money men expected in his corner are AK Desai, Jim Holton and Dave Zachem.

Can anyone out there think of a black mayor of a major Florida city? Please correct us if we're forgetting someone, but I think Gibbons, if successful, would be the first. UPDATE: ....John Marks, of course, is mayor of Florida's eighth biggest city, Tallahassee. The 10 biggest cities are Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, St. Pete, Orlando, Hialeah, Fort Lauderdale, Tallahassee, Cape Coral, Port St. Lucie.

"Over the past decade, St. Petersburg has re-established itself as an economic, health, cultural, and neighborhood-friendly city, a real Florida success story. Yet the road ahead is full of challenges for our families and each one of us, challenges bred from a global recession that's already testing our confidence and economic well-being," Gibbons said in a statement. "As a third generation St. Pete native and businessman who's deeply involved in education and civic affairs , I am concerned about these challenges and believe we must address them in both public and private sectors with fresh resolve and renewed determination. I love this city and have the experience and integrity to both bring us together and lead us forward."