Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum told a local crowd Friday it will take help from all Floridians to solve the state’s biggest woes: rising property tax rates, soaring property insurance premiums and dwindling water supplies.

McCollum addressed about 200 at the Church of God in Live Oak. The occasion was a fundraiser for the Suwannee County chapter of the GOP.

McCollum, now Florida’s Attorney General, said that if elected governor he would first recruit a brain trust to help “define the problem” in the three areas. After that, he’ll take his findings to the people and “have a conversation” with them.

“Together,” he said, “we’re going to solve these three big problems.”

However, just making an effort will help Florida get back on its financial feet, he said.

“To attract business to our state … we just have to show a roadmap, a plan” for confronting what many see as the state’s greatest obstacles to continued growth.

McCollum also said planners need to move beyond the state’s traditional reliance on agribusiness and tourism to attract business.

“I’ll work to promote both, but we must diversify,” he said, citing high-tech projects such as the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute for in Orlando and the Scripps Research Institute in Palm Beach County.

McCollum also blasted recent congressional attempts at healthcare reform.

“Some believe the most important thing is making sure the government takes care of everybody,” he said.

But that will likely just lead to rationing, he said, and “the very things President Obama says he wants to fix, won’t get fixed.”

He also reiterated his stand against a provision requiring individuals to carry health insurance.

“There is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that says the federal government has the right to levy a tax on someone for just living,” he said to heavy applause.

McCollum said if such a provision is signed into law he will challenge it on constitutional grounds.

The former Central Florida congressman said Florida remains “a state of limitless possibilities,” but warned “our progress and continued success is not assured,” citing Florida’s double-digit unemployment and lagging housing market.

He criticized congressional Democrats for their response to the current economic crisis.

“The national Democrats seem more interested in growing government than in growing jobs,” he said.

He called for low tax rates, “common sense” business regulations, litigation reform and improvements to education to enhance the state’s economic climate.

Citing Obama’s call during the 2008 campaign for “change,” McCollum asked whether that really meant a desire “for a return to limited government and individual freedom.”