Greer Calls on Sink to Stop Politically Motivated Outrage, Fund Critical Program

Tallahassee– Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer today called on Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink to stop her politically driven outrage against Florida’s Child Predator Cybercrime Unit and continue to fund awareness of this critical program.

“Last summer, Alex Sink had no problem authorizing a contract to produce these public service announcements that inform Florida’s children and families about the dangers of sexual predators,” said Chairman Greer. “She also approved every single expenditure to each television station that aired the announcement.”

Through a spokesperson, CFO Sink recently responded to questions about her participation in producing and airing public service announcements that advertise the services of Florida’s Child Predator Cybercrime Unit, stating the ads were “not the best use of state funds.” The contract to secure production of the PSA was cleared through the Sink’s Bureau of Auditing and notes that the grant ‘met all review criteria.’ Each week when Florida television stations received payments for these PSAs, they were directly audited and approved by Alex Sink and her office.

“When the only office she sought was re-election as Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Alex Sink was on board, 100 percent in support of this critical education initiative. Now, as a potential gubernatorial candidate, she has joined the Florida Democrat Party in an effort to destroy the credibility this effective program to further her own political agenda,” concluded Greer.

After consulting with Sink’s spokesperson, the Miami Herald recently reported:

“The bills are paid by Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, whose office has little discretion over what it can or cannot pay.” (Miami Herald, 3/20/09)

“If this statement is true, and Sink – the Chief Financial Officer of the State of Florida – has no authority to approve expenditures, how did she suddenly gain the authority to block funding for this critical education initiative by demanding additional ‘documentation?’” asked Chairman Greer. “Alex Sink is clearly playing politics with this funding and instead listen to the public safety experts who have endorsed this worthwhile program.”