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	Rubio- Supports a balanced budget amendment; proposes to freeze non-defense, non-veterans discretionary spending; reduce the size of government; and end TARP and the federal stimulus program
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.	Rubio- Supports drilling for oil and gas in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and offshore and nuclear energy; opposes a “national energy tax,” including a cap-and-trade plan
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	Rubio- In favor of “meaningful tax reform” that “simplifies” the tax code; supports eliminating the estate tax and capital gains taxes and lowering corporate tax rates
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	Rubio- Supports raising the age of eligibility and restructuring the formula for increasing benefits to account for inflation
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

« PREVIOUS 1 2 3

Where in Florida are the most involuntary holds for mental health?

FHSAA considers compensation for student athletes

As the Northeast housing market heats up, Florida's is cooling down

FHSAA mulls allowing high-school athlete endorsement deals

For SUBSCRIBERS

FLORIDA TREND MAGAZINE

Florida Business News

Florida's first-quarter tourism numbers set record
Florida announced record tourism numbers for the first quarter of 2024, as totals for international visitors continue to move closer to pre-pandemic levels.
Danish company opens U.S. headquarters in St. Pete to match customers and sales
A Danish drone technology firm has opened a U.S. headquarters in St. Petersburg. The move comes as the defense company wants to be closer to its customers and partnerships.
JEA partnering with NextEra Energy Resources for solar facilities
The sites will have a combined available output of 200 megawatts that could provide power for more than 37,000 households.
Calls to Orlando suicide, crisis lines spike amid economic strains
Central Florida has been deluged with calls from people considering suicide or facing other mental health crises in recent months, prompting social services leaders to sound the alarm.
What’s more expensive in Miami? Here’s how inflation has changed the cost of living
South Florida has the highest inflation rate when compared to 13 of the largest U.S. metro areas. The Consumer Price Index for the region rose 4.5% during the 12-month period ending in April.