Former Rep. Loranne Ausley, the Democratic candidate for state CFO, took aim at the leadership of the Legislature Tuesday -- namely her Republican opponent, Senate President Jeff Atwater of North Palm Beach.
Trailing behind Atwater in the few polls conducted in the race, as well as in the money chase, Ausley stood in front of the First District Court of Appeals building in southeastern Tallahassee and criticized the way the Legislature crafted the state budget.
The most critical challenge facing Floridas next CFO is finding a way to put an end to the pay-to-play culture of corruption in Tallahassee, said Ausley. I am running for CFO to end the wasteful, good-old-boy mentality that is crippling our states economy.
Ausley turned her fire to the budget-making process. We need transparency to expose what happens in the budget process, she said.
The former representative from Tallahassee unveiled a number of proposals to reform the system. Ausley said, if elected, she would pull the plug on sweetheart deals and no-bid contracts and would require full and public disclosure of political contributions from state vendors.
Ausley said she identified more than $300 million being outsourced from the state government for expensive projects -- dollars she insisted would be better spent by state agencies. She also pledged to have sponsors in the Legislature listed for every earmark project and vowed to leave state trust funds intact.
Floridians are looking for their next CFO to change the culture of corruption in Tallahassee, she said. Floridians are fed up with it and so am I.
Labeling the massive courthouse as the Tallahassee Taj Mahal, Ausley used the new building behind her to represent theproblems in Tallahassee, noting the building cost $48 million and included granite countertops and large flat-screen televisions.
Its a perfect example of all that is wrong and broken in Tallahassee, she said.
This isnt an attack on the courts, insisted Ausley. Its an attack on the process.
Attacking the out-of-touch Florida Legislature, she blasted them for the failure to respect taxpayers. She called for more transparency in crafting the budget as a solution to help reform state government.
Having been in the House when the funds for the building were approved, Ausley said that she voted against the project. She also rejected accusations that she is focusing on this issue now that she is running for statewide office.
Ive been raising these issues for years, she said.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
