Broward County leaders get advice from Florida Gov. Charlie Crist

By Tonya Alanez | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

April 24, 2008

Tallahassee - Gov. Charlie Crist reminded a contingent of Broward County leaders who is boss during an early morning speech Wednesday, Day No. 2 of Broward Days.

And it wasn't him.

"It's important [for legislators] to understand who the boss is," he said, "and never forget who sent you here. Never forget."

Enjoying a bird's-eye view of the state capital from the 22nd floor of the Capitol, Broward business and political leaders gathered to hear Crist's remarks over breakfast on the last leg of the annual two-day lobbying effort.

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 from legislators 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 mitigate budget cuts.

But Crist dedicated most of his 20-minute speech to his top 2008 initiative, giving 3.8 million uninsured Floridians the option to buy low-cost, low-coverage and state-approved health plans from private insurance companies for about $150 a month.

He called it a "reasonable ... practical ... compassionate" solution that would eliminate needless worry for millions with no cost to taxpayers.

The House and Senate are at odds with Crist's plan and each chamber has passed 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.