Jump to full article: Bradenton (FL) Herald, 2009-06-24
Intro: One of the great failings of this year's legislative session came home to roost last week -- well deserving of a Chiles family condemnation. And ours.
Gov. Charlie Crist and the state Legislature pulled $700 million out of the Lawton Chiles Endowment Fund, a trust enshrined in state law as a "perpetual source" of funding in support of health and education programs for poor children and senior citizens.
. . .
There's little doubt that this new raid will only add to the cynicism among voters over politicians. The Lawton Chiles Endowment withdrawal is only a one-year answer to a continuing budget problem. Instead of legislators who follow the path of least resistance, Florida needs visionary leadership working toward long-term solutions.
Legislators also have a duty to rebuild the endowment, though because of term limits that responsibility will likely fall on the next band of politicians. We expect -- and encourage -- the Chiles family to keep reminding them. We'll lend our voice to that, too.
Jump to full article » |