By Michael
C. Bender TALLAHASSEE — Marco Rubio put himself among Florida's most ambitious House leaders when he published a book of 100 ideas to serve as his agenda during his two years as speaker. But despite spending more than $575,000 for the book, related speaking tours and Web sites promoting the goals, Rubio is still trying to wrap his arms around the one idea that could mean the most to his political future: lowering property taxes.
twice visited civic groups in Palm Beach County. Although some staff from the House Majority Office has traveled with Rubio, he said the GOP, and not taxpayers, bore the costs. "Accountability is what is missing in politics," Rubio said of the investment he has made in the issue. "The purpose of politics is not to win. This isn't a sport. Our job is not to win elections. It's too come up with a vision for the future and to find a way to sell that vision. Too many times, politics is about selling people or selling an image or, at worst, destroying the people who are against you." But some lawmakers said privately that the 100 Ideas has blurred the line between politics and policy. They point to the 100 Ideas insignia on the official Florida House Web site. Some members have included the graphic on their state letterhead. Rubio's staff issued updates during the session when the ideas were debated in committee meetings and when the proposals won approval. "Speaker Rubio has made his commitment to the citizens of Florida," state GOP Chairman Jim Greer said. Greer, who took over as GOP chairman in January, cut off party money for Rubio's property tax Web site in April after complaints from Senate Republicans. The Web site put the party in the awkward position of appearing to support Rubio's tax plan, while the Republican-led Senate and Republican governor both opposed it. "When there was only one tax plan out there, I thought it was important to have the Web site, and I agreed that it was appropriate to do through the party," Greer said. "But when the governor took a position and the Senate had their proposal, I thought it was important for the party to remain neutral." The Miami-Dade Republican Party picked up the tab, and county Chairwoman Mary Ellen Miller said local GOP senators haven't complained. "I don't consider it political," Miller said of the Web site. "I consider it political education. It's a fine line, but there is a difference." The difference could determine Rubio's legacy. "Policy initiatives generally come from the governor's office," University of South Florida political science professor Susan MacManus said. "But from the get-go, the speaker's office has been playing that executive role, which feeds into people's expectations that someday Marco Rubio will run for governor." |