Charlie Crist Hearts Jim Norman

This has to be the first time I can remember anyone telling Jim Norman he has a good idea. We should mark this day. It's going to be a long time before a another prominent public figure admits he likes a Norman plan.

Governor Charlie Crist praised Jim Norman's spending cap initiative at the Florida State Fair Governor's Day Luncheon.

"Jim, God bless you for capping the taxes in Hillsborough County," Crist said, thanking him for his leadership.

He said afterward that he thinks the spending cap commissioners imposed on themselves last week at Norman's urging complements his proposals, which would reduce revenue to governments around the state.

"I think they go together," Crist said.

Kenneth Quinnell hates Norman's initiative. Ideologically, I don't have a problem with the concept in theory. I'm a lefty who wants to see government more fiscally responsible. Norman is a county commissioner that used a budget surplus to build an unneeded $40 million sports park. He is hardly a fiscal conservative.

Caps on spending means limiting growth. Ruskin residents were against the zoning of 360 waterfront homes. Norman approved the plan. He also received $6,000 of campaign contributions from the developers. Norman does not have the discipline to properly handle the people's money. Regardless of whether there is spending caps.