Debate Between Rick Scott and Alex Sink Finally Hits on Florida Issues

With the event more than halfway over, the debate between state CFO Alex Sink and Rick Scott finally turned to Florida issues. King asked both candidates about the states continuing economic woes, including a near 12 percent unemployment rate. Scott lashed out at Gov. Charlie Crist and Sink, noting the states unemployment rose during the last four years.

Let me clarify whos been in charge in Tallahassee, said Sink. Its been one party -- Rick Scotts party. Sink noted Crist and the leadership in the Legislature were all Republicans.

Smith asked about Sinks plans to give raises to state employees and education. Sink said her plan would reduce taxes on businesses and target fraud and waste in the budget. Sink said again she would not increase taxes.

Asked about the U.S. Department of Transportation sending $800 million to Florida for high-speed rail, Scott said he would need to look at the costs and repeated his charge that Sink would raise taxes to pay for projects.

The debate then turned to the oil spill in the Gulf. Sink criticized the Obama administrations response to the spill and called drilling in Florida waters a horrible idea.

We saw how dependent we were on our tourist economy, Sink said, arguing that small businesses were impacted by the spill.

Scott compared the spill to the hospitals impacted by Hurricane Andrew back in 1992. I reopened two hospitals and I stayed down there until it was solved, said Scott -- before blasting Sink and Crist for not promoting the beaches remaining open.