Iorio knows limits of government

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio has spent most of her adult life in public office and is enthusiastic about the value of government and honor of public service. You won't find the lifelong Democrat leading any tea party rallies.

Yet Iorio, near the end of her tenure as mayor, has some surprising observations about government's expanding reach.

"There is way too much reliance on government ," she said during a recent visit to The Tampa Tribune Editorial Board. "People try to rely on government to solve all these problems that are really free-market based."

Iorio recognizes that even supporting worthy causes - such as housing programs or financially troubled nonprofits - can encourage ill-advised dependency.

"In this financial crisis, people looking for more from government, I think that is wrong," she says. "I don't think we need more programs.

"If you can't afford a home, you shouldn't buy it. If you can't run a nonprofit efficiently, find someone who can."

Iorio, a former Hillsborough County commissioner and elections supervisor, doesn't advocate abruptly halting aid to nonprofits. But she says government cannot continue to be the financial backstop for every community cause.

She points out even the business community's economic development efforts require government support.

And during a campaign season in which most candidates, whether liberal or conservative, are promising to create jobs, Iorio offers a more candid view.

"People ask what I am going to do to create jobs, and I say that's up to the private sector."

This doesn't mean Iorio thinks government has no role in building a strong economy. But she thinks its efforts should be confined to making the community a good place to live and do business.

"I tell people I am working to reduce the crime rate, to promote a modern mass transit system, get new water and sewer pipes, to keep the city clean and streamline business regulations.

"All these things will make economic development possible. But if we all wait around for government to create jobs, we are in trouble."

It is refreshing to hear a leader say as much.

We wish more politicians, especially during this election season, had Iorio's clear-eyed view of government's responsibilities - and limitations.