FL Governor Jeb Bush vetoes funds for local bridges, seaports

[seafan]

Bush vetoes funds for local bridges, seaports

Tampa Bay Business Journal
June 27, 2006

Gov. Jeb Bush has vetoed a proposal that would have supported bridges repairs and seaports investments.

Senate Bill 2300 provided funds for structurally deficient local bridges and for unfunded high cost bridges on constrained corridors.


The bill, sponsored by the Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee and Sen. Daniel Webster, also allowed the Florida Ports Council to increase the existing $35 million annual seaport bond issues by $5 million and allowed the term limits for existing refunding bonds to be extended beyond their maturity date.

The governor vetoed the bill because he considered it created a new program that could have impacted the state's future transportation revenues.

"This bill carries a potential future financial burden of over $1 billion to the state of Florida, and another $1 billion to local governments," he said in a letter to secretary of state, Sue Cobb.

snip

[seafan]

1. Bush vetoes car rental surcharge bill as a way to pay for improved roads

It's a full time job keepin' up with li'l Jebbie!


Bush vetoes car rental surcharge bill

The Associated Press
June 27, 2006

Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed a bill Tuesday that would have allowed counties to double a daily $2 surcharge on car rentals with approval from local voters.

The legislation was a top priority for central Florida lawmakers who wanted to use the additional revenue for building more roads to ease traffic congestion.

"While I appreciate the inclusion of voter approval as a prerequisite to implementing the new tax, these taxes will be paid disparately by tourists visiting Florida, consequently creating taxation without representation," Bush wrote in his veto message. "Philosophically, I cannot support this."

snip

In response to the bill's plan to address the rising costs of transportation and plans to improve the level of competition among road contractors, Jeb said,

"Although these are important to the state's infrastructure needs, I cannot overlook the bill's provision that gives counties the option to impose a $2 per day tax on rental cars, if approved by countywide referendum," Bush wrote.

Hey, if we ride to the tax-exempt religious theme park, "The Holy Land" in Orlando in a horse and buggy on dirt paths, that would be FUN!

[jarrodf]

2. Just like a good Republican

[seafan]

3. Welcome to DU, jarrodf. Glad to have you with us! n/t