This much seems certain about the next governor of Florida, whether it is Attorney General Bill McCollum or Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink. Neither will touch two topics that need more than touching if Florida’s best interest is to be served: an overhaul of the state’s antiquated revenue-raising formula and an enlightened self-interest approach to Cuba. Both would probably make the candidates’ bucket lists from hell.
They’re off the table because a candidate still needs a modicum of political guts to put them there. On the budget front, it’s a lot easier to offer safe suggestions on efficiency to Florida TaxWatch than incur the possible wrath of special interests. On Cuba, it’s still prudent to not rile the exile community in the sovereign state of South Florida.
Florida is facing a $3-billion budget shortfall. The future is financially fragile. Stimulus dollars will wind down and Charlie Crist’s legacy — stopgap measures to buy time before an early exit — will not be enough for post-Ponzi Florida.
Somebody has to say if not now, then when do we finally get serious about unjustified sales-tax exemptions, including services? Somebody other than Rep. Kevin Ambler has to get out in front on the issue of collecting Internet sales taxes.
As for Cuba, why should Congress and the incrementalist Obama Administration change when one of the biggest beneficiaries of an open Cuba — Florida — doesn’t consider it a priority? As if trade, tourism and investment opportunities are immaterial — especially during the Great Recession. And it’s hardly inconsequential that there would be humanitarian benefits to those impacted by a Cold War-era embargo and that the U.S. would benefit geopolitically, especially in Latin America.
It’s obvious there is no governor on the political ambitions of either candidate. Unfortunately, there is one on doing the right thing for Florida during the most challenging economic climate in memory.
Cranking up the bully pulpit on sales-tax exemptions and a smart, pragmatic policy toward Cuba have never made more sense. Alas, we’ll sooner see a candidate campaign on the merits of suing over health-care reform’s “individual mandate” than one who would manifest political guts and real leadership about what’s best for Florida.