FL Governor Crist rejects all of Jeb Bush's picks for boards and commissions (283)

[seafan]

Crist rejects all of Bush's picks

By MARC CAPUTO
January 11, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - In an act of far-reaching political independence, Gov. Charlie Crist on Wednesday canceled the nominations of 283 people former Gov. Jeb Bush tapped to sit on numerous state boards and commissions that regulate everything from the environment to telephone bills.

''It's time for a fresh new start,'' said Crist, who campaigned last fall as both a steward of Bush's legacy and as the consumer-oriented ``people's governor.''

.....

''I want to honor the will of the people. We had an election,'' Crist said. ``People made a choice. They would like a fresh start and some new blood and we are going to give it to them.''

.....

The nominees whose appointments were canceled are a who's-who of Florida power brokers: former House Speaker Allan Bense, seeking a spot on Florida State University's trustee board; Isilio Arriaga, a former Venezuelan congressman and one-time Miami consultant who has voted for higher electric bills while on the PSC; Miami lobbyist Rodney Barreto, who chairs the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Urban League of Greater Miami leader T. Willard Fair; and Bush associate Phil Handy, who sits on the state's education board with Fair.

.....

Though it is true that previous governors have canceled appointments made by predecessors, it usually has happened when the new governor is from a different party.

.....

Though Crist campaigned to further Bush's programs and legacy, he showed early signs of independence on the campaign trail, when he declined to appear at a public event with the increasingly unpopular President Bush, irking White House advisors.

.....