After weeks of trying to get Alex Sink to answer questions about her own accountability in the much-ballyhooed Tallahassee Taj Mahal, Sink and her campaign finally allowed the question after a rally at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth.
In August Alex Sink called for an audit on a Tallahassee courthouse after news reports were published showing excessive spending on things like granite countertops, flatscreen TVs, plans for 20 miles of imported African hardwood and exercise facilities for the 15 judges.
She and other Democrats used it to gain political capital by pushing the blame on the Legislature, chiefly legislative leaders like Senate President Jeff Atwater.
But Alex Sink, as chief financial officer of the state, was required to sign the checks for the excessive spending. Earlier this week, Atwater questioned why she didn't bring it to the public's attention sooner.
Thursday, appearing at Palm Beach State College -- and asked the Taj Mahal question -- Sink faltered before answering, visibly annoyed.
In responding, Sink pushed the blame on her staff members, saying she relies on her accounting department to notify her of any potential abuses. She then added that the first red flag she saw never came from her office or staff but from the St. Petersburg Times.
Lane Wright can be reached at lane@sunshinestatenews.com or 561-247-1063
