Gov. Crist Tells Broward Leaders:
"Never Forget Who Sent You Here."

Gov. Crist speaks during Broward Days (Sun-Sentinel.com/Tonya Alanez)

By Tonya Alanez | Sun-Sentinel.com

1:20 PM EDT, April 23, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - You're "the boss," Gov. Charlie Crist told a contingent of Broward County leaders during an early morning speech on Day 2 of Broward Days.

"It's important to understand who the boss is, and never forget who sent you here. Never forget," Crist said.

With a bird's-eye view of Tallahassee from the 22nd floor of the Capitol, Broward business and political leaders gathered for breakfast and to hear Crist's remarks during the last leg of the annual two-day lobbying effort with Tallahassee lawmakers.

Listening is the best thing lawmakers can do, Crist told the crowd, stressing the difference they could make as they trekked through the Capitol voicing their concerns and garnering support for their causes.

"God gave us two ears and one mouth," he said. "It's amazing what you can learn ...if you just listen a little bit. The best ideas come from our Floridians whether they're 11 or 81."

He touched on insurance rates, a proposed gas-tax cut and dipping into the state's rainy-day fund to lessen the impact of budget cuts.

But Crist dedicated the majority of his 20-minute speech to his top 2008 initiative, which would give 3.8 million uninsured Floridians the option to purchase low-coverage, state-approved health plans from private insurers for about $150 a month.

He called it a compassionate solution that would eliminate needless worry for millions, without any cost to taxpayers.

The House and Senate are at odds with Crist's proposal, with each chamber passing dramatically different plans to cover the uninsured.

Crist called the final eight days of the session "gut-check time."

"Your timing is perfect," he said. "In the remaining hours that you are here you can make an enormous difference just by looking your representatives in the eye and telling them what is on your heart. Just talk to them."

Tonya Alanez can be reached at tealanez@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4542.

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