RPOF Hits Charlie Crist for Raising Taxes in 2009 Budget and Ignores GOP Legislature's Role

Lenny Curry, the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF), came out swinging at former Gov. Charlie Crist, the favorite for the Democratic nomination to challenge Gov. Rick Scott in November, on taxes on Wednesday morning. Going back to 2009, Curry hit Crist for relying on federal stimulus dollars and raising taxes in that years budget. Crist was a Republican at the time and the budget Curry attacked on Wednesday passed both the GOP-controlled House and Senate. Legislators who supported that budget -- including Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, and House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel -- are currently serving in the Republican leadership of both chambers.

Charlie Crist loves taxes so much he was willing to raise them by $2.2 billion in the middle of an economic downturn, even after promising Floridians that taking federal stimulus funds would prevent tax increases, Curry said. Im proud that Rick Scott is righting this wrong by reducing taxes for Florida families, creating an environment where over 540,000 private-sector jobs have been created.