April 25, 2024
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U.S. Senate Race
How Candidates for U.S. Senate in Florida Compare on Issues
Amy Keller | 7/1/2010
| Budget Cuts vs. Spending | |
 Crist- Vows to “fight against excessive government spending;” supports adding a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution  |
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 Meek- Says that Congress must get “control of spending on entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare and veterans benefits” if it is to tackle the budget deficit. |
 Greene- Pledges to “take on both parties and bring an end to closed-door decision making and wasteful and inefficient government spending” |
| Oil/Energy | |
Crist- Originally opposed offshore drilling, then supported it during Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign in 2008. Once again, he opposes it in the aftermath of the BP oil spill. |
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Meek- Opposes drilling for oil off Florida’s coast; recently sponsored legislation calling for an oil drilling ban in new areas in the Gulf until Congress completes its investigation of the recent BP oil spill; supports funding for alternative energy research |
Greene- Opposes drilling off Florida’s shores; supports an energy policy that expands the use of natural gas, nuclear energy and renewable energy; supports expanding subsidies and rebates for consumers who make their homes more energy efficient |
| Taxes | |
Crist- Supports making the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent. Also supports tax cuts within individual income brackets; a permanent tax cut on capital gains; repeal of the federal tax on inherited estates or money; ending the so-called marriage tax penalty |
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Meek- Strong supporter of tax cuts for working Floridians and small businesses. Opposes plans that give tax breaks solely to the wealthy and social interests |
Greene- Supports “closing loopholes for the rich,” tax cuts for small businesses and an expansion of tax credits for businesses that invest in research and development; also supports a college tax credit for middle-class families |
| Social Security | |
Crist- Does not support raising retirement age; would instead focus on eliminating “waste” and “fraud” from the system |
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Meek- Opposes raising the retirement age |
Greene- Says it’s “imperative that we preserve and strengthen Social Security” but hasn’t said how he’d do it; also supports expanding “rent-assistance programs” for seniors |
