Florida Democratic Party chairwoman Karen Thurman issued a statement today saying Ray Sansom should step down from his position with Northwest Florida State College or as speaker of the Florida House.

"In response to our state's economic crisis and ballooning deficits, the Republican leaders in the Legislature, including Speaker Ray Sansom, have said that Floridians need to 'tighten their belts' and make sacrifices to justify their massive cuts to education, health care and public safety, as well as raising tuition rates on Florida's college students by as much as 15 percent. With media outlets across Florida reporting that our state was forced to cut more than $4-billion from education, health care and public safety programs, Sansom delivered more than $25-million in additional funds to Northwest Florida State College. Less than a year later, Northwest Florida State College hired Sansom for a $110,000 a year, part-time job.

"The appearance of impropriety is too great for Ray Sansom to as remain speaker and keep his job with  Northwest Florida State College; therefore it is only appropriate for him to resign from one or both jobs. In doing so, Sansom can lead by example in these tough times."

In an interview this week with the Times, Sansom said he has no intention of leaving the college. The top Democrat in the House, Rep. Franklin Sands, declined to comment on the matter Monday.

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