I smell a Jebbie rat --- $369-million secret to Scripps Research Institute

[Noordam]

The leg was called into a special session to create a 369 Million dollar fund over 5 years to be given basicly to Scripps. Jebbie is happy how he did this in secret and popped it on the people of Florida. In this package is SALARY for the top people that will work for Scripps in Florida. Here is the latest news about what the leg did with the Florida Sunshine Law.

Florida's $369-million secret?
Critics say Scripps Research Institute will have wide discretion in what it reveals as it spends taxpayers' money.
By ALISA ULFERTS, Times Staff Writer
Published October 25, 2003

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


TALLAHASSEE - Florida taxpayers could have a hard time keeping track of how their money will be spent to bring the world's largest private research center to Florida.

Legislation to spend $369-million in tax money on a Florida branch of the Scripps Research Institute gives the company broad discretion in what it discloses, open government advocates say.

Democrats initially opposed exemptions to the public records law, but wound up supporting them in exchange for millions of dollars in pet projects. The money was later killed, but the exemptions stand.

"It's not as good as what we'd like, but it is a lot better than it was," said House Democratic Leader Doug Wiles, D-St. Augustine.

But open government advocates say the bill is vague and won't give taxpayers many details of how the money is spent.

..more at article....

edited to add link Sorry hehehehe

http://www.sptimes.com/2003/10/25/State/Florida_s_369_million.shtml

[andym]

1. Scripps Institute is a non-profit, isn't it?

Scripps Institute is a non-profit, isn't it?
Seems like they're doing basic biomedical research
(at least in La Jolla):

http://www.scripps.edu

How is Bush going to benefit, except by showing
his ablity to bring new jobs (pork barrel) to
Florida.

[blm]

2. Scripps-Howard is a rightleaning news service.

If this is media research they are doing, this is a HIGHLY paid mediawhore.

[quaker bill]

3. It is medical research

That being aside, the $369 million is just openers, the total package including the local gov't contribution totals $510 million.

It adds out to about $975,000.00 a job. The State of Florida is basically funding the operation, top to bottom, for about 15 years.

Apparently again, I am in the wrong damn business.

Since these folks are a non-profit medical research organization, perhaps this is not so bad.

On the other hand, we could have hired a lot of +/-$35,000.00 a year school teachers for this money.

[Noordam]

5. That is the problem I see,

Between the money Jebbie is given them and West Palm Beach (something like 200 million) it is a very big package and for WHAT.............. Jobs in 5-7 years...... something smells...

Oh by the Way, If * gets elected in 2004, Jebbie will be out of work for two years before he can run................

[bandy]

4. The PB Post

has been smelling this rat for a while (but no one seens to be paying attention). You can bet that Jeb has something up his sleeve. But, he is a *, so what can we expect? It will definently NOT be beneficial for Fla., that's for sure.

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. WTF -- Are Republicans baiting and switching -- again?

"Democrats initially opposed exemptions to the public records law, but wound up supporting them in exchange for millions of dollars in pet projects. The money was later killed, but the exemptions stand."

This is the second time in a week where the Democrats have compromised with the Republicans in exchange for peanuts that were later taken away from them. The first time this week is when Bob Butterworth signed a settlement agreement with Purdue pharmeceuticals regarding Oxycontin that promised the state of Florida would not sue if the pharmeceutical paid a certain penalty fee. Well, they didn't pay the fee, but the state still cannot sue them.

What's up with the Democrats? Can they really be this naive to negotiate such stoopid settlements?

[Noordam]

7. Remember the "special bill" for the brain dead woman.

the special session of the Leg was call NOT for that but for the Scripps funds.

So while Jebbie (like his brother) misdirected the people of Florida on the woman's case, the real the Leg was in session was passed.

[UTUSN]

8. Kick for the Smell of the Shrubs n/t

[peekaloo]

12. Johnny Byrd Speaker of the House

grandstanding on both issues......he wants Graham's Senate seat and I'm sure his pockets are ripe for their moolah.

Hey, Republicans are good people, they CARE about jobs and not starving people to death and stuff. :eyes:

[SoCalDem]

9. Jebbie is just feathering the nest he plans to occupy

when his term is up.. He will be sitting on the boards of many "helpers" , once his term is up.. I think his dimwitted brother has pretty much ended the talk of a BushDynastyAsFarAsTheEyeCanSee, so he's got a few years to get all the ducks in a row for himself..

[greekspeak]

10. Ugghhh...to think I live just down the street from Jebbikins

After some of my fellow liberals started to call America a potential "Banana Republic," I cannot drive past the governor's gated "compound," complete with palm trees, without wincing.

Jeb scares me...he is like Dubya but smarter...like he could wreak havoc like we have never seen. :scared:

[izzie]

11. I will be in my grave and on to dust and they will be hunting .......

for the money that these Bush's have taken and giving to their friends, tax payers money.This will make the 1880's steal look like chicken feed.