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Crist Bucks GOP Criticism, Continues To Push Stimulus

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By WILLIAM MARCH | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 13, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG - Gov. Charlie Crist appeared today in St. Petersburg with Mayor Rick Baker and Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio to continue his public relations push for the federal stimulus package, despite taking increasing criticism from members of his own party who oppose the bill.

Crist said he thinks the state would get about $10 billion from the package, and that would substantially lessen the need to raise taxes or further cut state programs to cover a $5 billion-plus hold in the coming state budget.

Crist acknowledged that he's drawing increasing criticism from Republicans over his support for the package—particularly his high-profile appearance with Barack Obama in Fort Myers Tuesday.

But he said, "I really haven't thought about politics—I'm thinking about people."

The package, he said, is "about jobs, jobs, jobs."

Iorio and Baker showed up with lists of road projects they said are ready and waiting for money, including, in Tampa, a connector between I-4 and the Crosstown Expressway to carry trucks to the port without having to go through Ybor City.

Baker, also a Republican, is a long-time political ally of Crist, and Iorio is a Democrat, but both hold non-partisan offices. Crist is one of four Republican governors nationwide who back the bill, but not a single Florida Republican in Washington voted for it.

"There are some Republicans who support it," Crist said. "We're in a crisis—I think everyone understands that."

Reporter William March can be reached at (813) 259-7761.

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