Jeb chooses tax cuts over investment

Gov. Jeb Bush says this is "not a year for legacy. This is a year for taking our progress to the next level to build an even bigger future for Florida."

But legacy is exactly what it appears he is aiming for in his final year as governor. Tax cuts and education vouchers were the highlights of Bush's State of the State message to the Legislature Tuesday. Having made both the centerpieces of his administration for the last seven years, Bush clearly wants to be remembered as the Education Governor and the Tax-Cutting Governor. Which would position him nicely for the next phase of his political career, whether it be the presidency in 2008 or the U.S. Senate later this year.

As for the issues that average Floridians are worried about, like finding affordable homeowner's insurance or being able to drive on roads not overwhelmed with traffic, Bush felt confident in leaving such devilish details to the Legislature. This session is all about vouchers and tax cuts as far as the governor is concerned.


Well, sure, homeowners will like getting the $100 check Bush proposes as the centerpiece of his tax cut package. And affluent owners of stocks and bonds will appreciate the relief from what he termed an "insidious" tax. But doubtless the vast majority of Floridians would rather have seen the $150 billion given up by his proposed cuts applied to the Citizens Property Insurance Corp. deficit to avoid surcharges on their next insurance bill. Or to a few of the many key highway projects that the state can't afford because of inflated costs, like S.R. 64 east of Upper Manatee River Road in East Manatee. Or even to respecting their 2002 vote to actually fund the class-size amendment instead of trying to repeal or circumvent it, as he is doing.

The state's good fortune in having a huge surplus was a rare opportunity for the governor to invest in schools, roads and other infrastructure that would have long-lasting benefits for Florida - a legacy that would endure much longer than a $100 check in the average household budget.

As for his obsession with school vouchers, Bush acts as if the Florida Supreme Court ruling declaring vouchers unconstitutional meant nothing. He continues to push for a constitutional amendment to restore the Opportunity Scholarship Program that gives students in consistently failing public schools a state voucher to attend a private school of their choice. Instead of fixing the schools in which students don't measure up, Bush would further weaken them by shifting funds to private schools that are less accountable.

This is far from a record that would qualify him as an Education Governor. Indeed, with the state's graduation rate among the lowest in the nation and academic achievement among minority students at abysmal levels, Bush could go down as the Anti-Education Governor.

But that isn't what will be touted in the snappy commercials for his next campaign. Tax cuts and vouchers make much more appealing sound bites than dull insurance, transportation and class-size issues.

Source: Bradenton Herald Editorial