Florida's Gov. Bush moves to stop high-speed train (Talks Class Size Too)

[Khephra]

Florida's Gov. Bush moves to stop high-speed train

By BILL COTTERELL

Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat


Gov. Jeb Bush began a petition drive to derail Florida's "bullet train" Thursday and predicted that voters will want to take back their demand for smaller classes in public schools when they feel the pain of higher taxes or program cuts.

The state's chief financial officer will lead the effort to gather the 488,722 signatures needed to ask voters in November to repeal the constitutional amendment they approved for high-speed rail. Asked why he won't also push for repeal of the class-size amendment voters approved, Bush said he still wants the Legislature to do that - but knows it will take time to change opinion.

Besides, he said, class sizes can always be adjusted. Once land is bought, contracts are signed and concrete is poured for the 125-mph train, "it's hard to un-do it."

Last year, Bush unsuccessfully asked the Legislature for a repeal vote on both the bullet train and class-size amendment, saying the constitutional mandates were so expensive that they'd cripple the state's ability to meet other needs. His decision to go the petition route on one amendment, but not the other, was seen as strategically selective by backers of reduced class sizes.

more.................

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/8114858.htm

[madrchsod]

1. isn`t this a state that could use

high speed rail???? oh no just keep building roads. but hell, half the state will be under water soon, so i guess it really doesn`t matter

[Lorien]

7. I don't think there's a day

that I drive down here (especially on the I-4 parking lot) when I don't curse about the lack of public transporatation. The high speed rail was on the ballot last time around, and it passed by a landslide (the State is now REQUIRED to build one)but does Jebby give a damn? Nope. The will of the people doesn't hold a candle to the will of his development contributors (now getting all the road widening jobs). Gawd, I can hardly WAIT to move out of this pathetic excuse for an American State!

[Sagan]

2. must... not.... stem.. oil consumption!

must...stop...mass transit!

[Dover]

3. I hope he steps in front of it......takes a "bullet" for the team.

I know....hold classes ON the train.

[bluedog]

4. hes an ass

hes been trying to come up with excuses not to follow through on both the rail train and the smaller class room sizes since they were passed by us voters.....damn it .the rail was on the ballot 4 yrs ago.smaller class rooms when he got re-elected....we have voted and have spoken.he should do the job he was elected to do and that is follow the voters will.

[Jacobin]

5. This idiot could screw up a wet dream

I mean, good grief. Oil running out, gas prices high, global warming from fossil fuels, congestion on highways, so what do you do? Help public transportation?? NOoooooooooooooooway.

Fricking moronic dingbat, bible thumping cretin of a....

[salin]

6. Do I recall Jeb! just claiming that there was enough $ for another tax cut

wasn't that the news just a week or so ago? If so, how does that jibe with this story. If so, does this not demonstrate the contempt with which he holds Floridians (by treating them as if they wouldn't see this discrepency?)