Alex Sink Meets with Jefferson Dems

Alex Sink, a Democratic candidate for the position of Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, was introduced on Monday, May 8 to about 75 Jefferson County Democrats at a barbeque hosted by Max  and xxxx Belinsky. The event, which took place at the Opera House, was held to give county residents an opportunity to meet and discuss issues with a person who may hold one of the most important positions in Florida state government.

     The position of Chief Financial Officer was created in 2002 following the reforms authorized by constitutional amendments passed by the voters in 1998. It is often described as the second most powerful position in state government because of the activities it manages. In essence the CFO, as the position is called, is the State’s banker and runs the state’s business. He or she is responsible for overseeing the state’s finances, collecting revenue, paying state bills, and overseeing the regulation of banking and insurance activities. The CFO was created by combining the former offices of Comptroller and Treasurer/Insurance Commissioner/Fire Marshal.

     Ms Sink is admirably suited for the position and is the only candidate in the race for this position, Democrat or Republican, who has over 25 years of financial experience. She was president of NationsBank, which later became Bank of America and was the largest bank in Florida. In this position she managed more than $40 billion in assets and supervised more than 9,000 employees in 800 branches spread throughout the state.

     She was vice chair of Florida TaxWatch, an organization that advocates for fiscal responsibility in state government, a member of the Commission on Governmental Accountability to the People where she led efforts to make state government more responsive and a member of Governor Chiles’ Commission on Education. Ms Sink lives in Thonotosassa with her husband Bill McBride and their children, Bert and Lexie, who attend public schools at Armwood High.   

     In her remarks, Ms Sink recalled learning as a child to appreciate banking and finance and the value of mathematics by assisting her grandfather pay bills and keep the checkbook for his business. She concluded by saying “ I am the little math person” who will take care of the people’s business.