Gov. Crist Takes The Helm

Florida's new governor, Charlie Crist, rides in his inaugural parade Tuesday in Tallahassee.

By COLIN HACKLEY / Tribune

By JEROME R. STOCKFISCH The Tampa Tribune

Published: Jan 3, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - Charlie Crist formally claimed the mantle of the "people's governor" Tuesday, promising in his inaugural address a state government less partisan, more open and more accountable to those he called "our bosses" - the people of Florida.

The new governor didn't shrink from a pair of major statewide concerns, pledging the full resources of his office to try to solve the property insurance crisis and backing a constitutional amendment for property tax relief.

Crist, 50, of St. Petersburg, was sworn in Tuesday on a chilly noon hour in front of the old state Capitol with his parents by his side.

Long known for his outgoing nature, accessibility and ability to remember names, Crist seemed willing Tuesday to take his populist persona over the top. He took the stage to the strains of Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" and declared in his address: "This is our calling, this is our duty, this is our destiny: the people's Legislature, the people's governor, following the people's agenda."

He becomes Florida's 44th governor, succeeding Jeb Bush. The two-term outgoing governor's popularity remains sky-high and was particularly evident among the GOP-heavy crowd of about 4,000 at the Capitol on Tuesday.

Bush received a standing ovation as he took his seat on the dais prior to Crist and reluctantly stood for a curtain call as the crowd roared.

Crist acknowledged Bush in his address, calling him "America's greatest governor." But Crist also outlined a contrasting approach to what many considered to be Bush's heavy-handed style of governing.

He called on lawmakers to "put the common good above partisan politics. We will work together," he said, "to do what is right, and reject labels - red, blue; liberal, conservative; Democrat, Republican."

He lauded open government and vowed, "Under my administration, it will be like never before." He promised that today he would create an Office of Open Government that will assure public access to the workings of the capital, a concept he initiated in the attorney general's office. He decried the jargon and complexities of government communication and said he will require clear, plain language "to make it open and transparent to all."

Amid Optimism, There Is Concern

Crist takes office just two weeks before the Legislature convenes in a special session to attempt to solve the state's property insurance crisis. The new governor didn't skirt that issue and a second - property taxes - in his remarks.

He singled out an 83-year-old Pensacola woman whose homeowners insurance premium climbed from $1,000 a year to more than $5,000. "Some of our families are no longer able to afford their homes, spending down their retirement to keep a roof over their head, leveraging their children's future to keep food on the table," Crist said. "This cannot - this will not - stand."

He said he will also seek a constitutional amendment to cut property taxes, but he did not elaborate in the speech. On the campaign trail, Crist proposed a constitutional amendment allowing counties to double the Florida homestead exemption from $25,000 to $50,000, and also proposed allowing homeowners to transfer the tax benefits from their homestead status to another home, a concept known as "portability."

Some of Florida's signature issues - education, the environment, economic development, "coastlines free of oil drilling" - were touched on by the new governor. He also pledged to lead a trade mission to Israel.

A moment of silence was recognized for former President Ford, who was being eulogized in Washington.

Crist's tone impressed state Sen. Dennis Jones, R-Treasure Island, who called the inauguration speech "very uplifting."

"He's made a very strong point that he wants to make it the people's government and open it up, have more government in the sunshine," Jones said. "Even with his early appointments, he's shown he's going to do that."

Susan McManus, a political scientist at the University of South Florida, said she saw starkly contrasting emotions run through the crowd at the Capitol.

"First of all, there was the love for Jeb Bush. Second, there was the sadness at the passing of the president. Third, you had a sense of optimism about the future with a new governor and a new administration.

"Rarely have you had an inauguration where you have had all three of those emotions present at the same time."

Lt. Governor, Cabinet Take Office

Also sworn in Tuesday were Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottcamp, a Republican former state representative from Cape Coral, and the three members of the Florida Cabinet: Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson, a Republican from Osceola County re-elected to a second term; Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, a Thonotosassa Democrat who breaks the GOP's stranglehold on the Cabinet; and Attorney General Bill McCollum, a former longtime Republican congressman from Orlando.

The inaugural wasa major celebration in Tallahassee, with much of downtown shut down for the swearing-in and parade. There was an artillery salute and deafening National Guard F-15 flyover. Later, Crist hosted an open house at the governor's mansion, and there were various private parties.

Crist scheduled, then canceled, an inaugural ball after he agreed that a lavish party was not appropriate while many Floridians were struggling with their insurance and property tax bills.

To rousing applause, he spoke on Tuesday about his grandfather, who built the Crist family life in America.

"Adam Christodoulos came to this country from his native Cyprus as a penniless, 14-year-old boy," Crist said. "He couldn't speak the language. He didn't know anyone. But he had a dream. …

"While my grandfather is no longer here today, he's here in my heart. And I'm sure he's proud that his grandson has just become governor of the fourth-largest state in the greatest country on the face of the earth."

Crist has spent most of his professional life in government and politics - as an adviser to U.S. Sen. Connie Mack, R-Orlando; in the state Senate; as education commissioner; and as attorney general. But it is that common-man persona that sticks.

Phil Meyer, a Sarasota resident who, as "Phil Phunn," sells campaign-style buttons and peddled pins marking the inaugural, had an encounter with Crist during the afternoon parade. He offered the new governor buttons, which Crist said he would give to his mother and father.

While Crist sat in a vintage Ford Mustang convertible, Meyer relayed the experience of his own mother, who he said is being forced out of the home she lived in since 1949 because she cannot afford her homeowners insurance premium.

"He looked me in the eye and said, 'I'm going to do something about this. I promise you,'" Meyer said of Crist. "And as I turned to walk away, he waved me back and said, 'I promise you I'm going to do something about this. I hear this every day. I'm going to do something about this.'

"And I believe him."

Tribune photographer Colin Hackley contributed to this report. Reporter Jerome R. Stockfisch can be reached at (850) 222-8382.