Saying the state “already has a poor track record managing what they own,” U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow, said today that Gov. Charlie Crist’s deal to buy U.S. Sugar includes too much land and too many questions.
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Putnam, 34, said the state needs to consider whether the deal would jeopardize its partnership with the federal government in Everglades restoration. He also said the state needs a more detailed plan for the communities that could lose thousands of agricultural jobs.
“While, over the long haul, renewable energy has great potential to be a part of the economic base, it’s not ready for prime time,” Putnam said. “So that increases the pressure if this is going to proceed to have in place plans for an inland port or something similar that will alleviate the economic harm that will be done to the communities.”

Putnam, who was elected to the state House in 1996 at the young age of 22, is attempting to succeed Republican Ag Commish Charles Bronson, who must step down in 2010 because of term limits. Other Republicans interested in the seat are state Sen. Carey Baker of Eustis and former Rep. Marty Bowen of Winter Haven.
In interview with The Palm Beach Post this morning, Putnam said he will stress food safety and renewable energy issues in his campaign.
On other topics, he said that the backlog of concealed weapons permits in the state is partly due to a Democrat occupying the White House.

He also said “having better trained individuals handing firearms is a good thing.” Applicants are required to complete a training course from the NRA, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission or other public or private groups.
Putnam voted against the federal stimulus package in Congress and said today that he was most concerned about a provision that could prevent the state from collecting education-related money. But the fifth-generation Floridians acknowledged spending for infrastructure and Medicaid was “helpful.”

Tags: Adam Putman, U.S. Sugar

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 19th, 2009 at 1:21 pm and is filed under 2010 campaigns. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.