Crist gets Pasco support from Fasano
Mike Fasano has made no secret his dislike for Gov. Rick Scott. But now he’s taking that opposition to television.
The Charlie Crist gubernatorial campaign has released a new commercial featuring the Pasco County tax collector and former legislator, taking a shot at Scott while publicly endorsing Crist, who Fasano calls “a good man.”
Fasano appears in front of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City, first announcing he’s not only a lifelong Republican, but a Rick Scott appointee — Scott named Fasano the tax collector following the death of Mike Olson last year.
In the commercial, Fasano says he decided to voice his opinion after he saw “the smears by Rick Scott against Charlie Crist.” While he has not always seen eye-to-eye with Crist, Fasano said he was a good governor, working to prevent utility companies from overcharging, cut property taxes and increased education spending.
“This Republican is supporting Democrat Charlie Crist,” Fasano says at the end of the 30-second ad.
The gubernatorial race is said to be too close to call at this point, with just a couple weeks before the Nov. 4 election. Both Crist and Scott have been debating, including one Oct. 15 that created some fireworks in the beginning after Scott refused to take the stage, accusing Crist of violating the debate agreement by including a small electrical fan at his podium.
Republican women to talk health
The Pasco Federated Republican Women’s Club will meet Nov. 7 at 11:30 a.m., at the Fox Hollow Golf Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway, in Trinity.
Guest will be Mike Napier, a health officer with the Pasco County Department of Health.
Cost is $15.
For information, or to make a reservation, call Fran Scerbo at (727) 597-3727, or email .
Keep track of voter turnout online
Want to know how many people are voting in the midterm elections? It will all be available online.
Pasco County elections supervisor Brian Corley announced that turnout data will be available on the county’s website of PascoVotes.com.
“Transparency with elections in Pasco County has been, and will continue to be, of great importance for this office,” Corley said, in a release. “The posting of voter turnout on our website is an extension of our commitment to openness in the process.”
The numbers will represent those who have returned their vote-by-mail ballot, and beginning Oct. 25, will include those who have voted early.
Turnout will be reported every 10 minutes during early voting and on general election day. Once the polls close at 7 p.m., on Nov. 4, the results will be posted online as they become available.
The elections office already has mailed nearly 52,000 vote-by-mail ballots, with new requests being processed daily. Those wishing to request such a ballot can call (800) 851-8754, or visit PascoVotes.com.
Early voting begins Oct. 25, and ends Nov. 1.
Florida TaxWatch: Be careful with surplus
For the fourth straight year, the improving economy will give state lawmakers a head start on the 2015 budget, but one tax advocacy group is asking they spend it wisely.
Economists are predicting that an additional $336.2 million will be available for the next budget, created by additional taxes the state didn’t plan for in the most recent budget cycle.
“More Floridians are working and paying their taxes, which has enabled our government to receive a budget surplus for the past four years,” said Dominic M. Calabro of Florida TaxWatch, in a release. “However, even with a small surplus, it is crucial that lawmakers spend the hard-earned money of Florida taxpayers as carefully as they do for their own families.”
Another TaxWatch analyst, Kurt Wenner, did say that the surplus will not have a significant effect on the budget.
“It is only 1.1 percent of projected general revenue spending,” he said. “It is also based on leaving only $1 billion in reserves, much smaller than what recent Legislatures have left.”
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee to meet
Pasco County’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee will meet Oct. 27, Nov. 10 and Nov. 24 beginning at 9 a.m., at the Hap Clark Building, 4111 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.
For information, visit PascoCountyFl.net.
Bassinger endorses Burgess
San Antonio city commissioner Elayne Bassinger has endorsed Danny Burgess for state House District 38.
“In the years that I have known Danny, I have found that he is smart, capable and humble,” Bassinger said, in a release. “But what impresses me most is his ability to see the big picture, and to bring a no-nonsense realism to the challenges ahead. Danny is the type of leader we need in Tallahassee to continue to fight to strengthen our economy, reduce unemployment, and make sure that the needs of Pasco County are well represented.
Burgess, a Republican, faces Democrat Beverly Ledbetter in the Nov. 4 election.
