Jeb gets bullet train back on ballot.

[madfloridian]

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040730/NEWS/407300373/1134
SNIP..."
TALLAHASSEE -- A move to kill a multi-billion-dollar bullet train project will be put before the voters in November.

The state announced Thursday that the measure had received enough signatures to get onto the ballot. Gov. Jeb Bush helped lead the campaign to kill the project, arguing that the state cannot afford the train.

Voters in 2000 approved a ballot measure ordering the state to build a high-speed train. The first leg -- estimated to cost $2.3 billion -- would run from Orlando to Tampa; construction could begin next summer. The system eventually would connect Tampa and Orlando with Fort Lauderdale and Miami....."

SNIP...."It is an insult to the voters to tell them, `We didn't hear you the first time, do you really want high-speed rail?' " Rupp said.

"And the governor and Gallagher have really put out willful disinformation to mislead the voters about this badly needed alternative form of transportation," he said. "The state's obligation is capped at $75 million per year. That is less than 1.5 percent of the $6 billion annual state transportation budget."END SNIP

This was voted upon in a supposedly legal election in 2000. We voted against it because we were not sure of the funding. This time we will vote for it because Jeb is trying to silence the people's voice. He will also try it on the class size amendment. Senator Paula Dockery's husband was the main proponent for the train, and they have flat-out turned against Jeb. They are two of his biggest supporters, millionaires. He is absolutely ugly on this issue. And he just makes smart remarks to reporters and lies about the funding. He no longer cares whom he insults. He has an agenda, and nothing matters to him.

[Birthmark]

1. HEY!

That's my Constitutional Right he's screwin' with!!!

FL - What a State!

[bluedog]

2. that sucking SOB

we voted for this last time.what'd he do.just throw our votes all in the garbage?.....It was on the ballot..voted on.passed and sat around what 2 years.and he puts it back on again?
This is not right and hes playing dick.Tater...with my and my families votes........

[Birthmark]

3. That's how the town I live in became an incorporated city.

One election...we turned down the idea. Two years later, another election...we turned down the idea. Two years later, another election...in September rather than November, improperly advertised to the point of violating State law...and presto, we're a city!

We have a very nice $30 million City Hall now, too!

I really do hate Florida.

[AlCzervik]

7. My town got incorporated 4 years ago

we too have a shiny new city hall that we didnt need and now our local library has been cut yet again due to funding.

[bluedog]

8. Is that

Kenneth city

[Tight_rope]

4. Florida needs to Vote the SOB out of office!

[Rebellious Republican]

6. No need to, thank god for term limits! This is his second, he's gone!

[Rebellious Republican]

5. My guess the majority of address's are from South Florida and

North Florida. Where the congestion on I 4 does not impact their lives on a daily basis. He probably sent out his operatives telling these people that they are going to pay for something they will not use. I do not use I 4, I plan my trips on roads around it, its actually just as fast and a whole lot safer. There are accidents daily, and a lot of them are fatal! I used to live near the I 4 corridor, it was a nightly news event. I guess he just could not figure out a way to pocket any money from it!

[madfloridian]

9. I-4 is a total nightmare, RR.

I think it is closed down almost everyday from Tampa going eastward toward Lakeland and Orlando. The Dockerys live in Lakeland, and they are simply furious with him. He does not even care he has lost their support. Paula will probably run for congress next time, and I would think he would not want to alienate them.

It scares me that he does not care. She is one of the more moderate and sensible Republicans, as is my state GOP rep, John Stargel. He is upset with Jeb on other issues, and he stood up for the Democrat who is running against him. The Secretary of State's office had left him off the ballot on a technicality, and John stood up for him. He is now on the ballot.

[tlcandie]

10. I voted for it for several reasons...

1) I would like to be a progressive state where we are ahead of the oil curve

2) Too many elderly people who can't drive well or don't need to be driving due to various reasons

3) Anything the *'s are against .. I'm for!!!!

4) WAY too many people here already adn soon to be even more!!

[madfloridian]

11. Well, now you get to vote for it again.

This time we will vote for it for sure. Jeb is so arrogant, even with the press. He just does not care who he offends.

[soup]

12. Where the derailment money came from

Florida road builders gave most to anti-bullet train drive
an Associated Press report 7/13/04

ORLANDO - A road builders' lobbying organization gave $330,000 of the $1.3 million collected for a petition drive aimed at derailing Florida's bullet train project, according to a campaign finance report filed Monday.

>snip<
The Villages, a massive retirement community in central Florida, gave $300,000. Developer Gary Morse is a major fundraiser for the GOP, and Republican Gov. Jeb Bush has ardently opposed bullet trains.

SeaWorld Orlando, which also opposes the high speed rail, gave $250,000. When the route was selected, SeaWorld and Universal Orlando lost out to rival Disney for a stop. The Florida High Speed Rail Authority was swayed by studies showing Disney could offer more riders than the attractions in the International Drive tourist district.

Universal contributed more than $220,000 to DEBT in March.

Contributing a total of $100,000 were three railroad companies: CSX Transportation ($50,000), Florida East Coast Industries ($25,000) and Rail Management Corporation ($25,000).
http://www.tampabaylive.com/stories/2004/07/040713rail.shtml

-----

There we have it.

I looked it up because I figured SeaWorld and Universal fit into the mix somehow. When Disney's demand that the train would run directly from the airport to Disney and bypass any other stops (the Convention Center, International Drive, etc.) was granted, of course the others were going to raise a ruckus.

I imagine the reverse would have happened if Disney hadn't gotten its way.

A lot of big players with big money involved in what they called this "grassroots campaign to halt the boondoggle".