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Bush Signs Economic Stimulus Bill [Jeb Bush helps create more FL jobs NOW! ]
AP, via The Naples Daily News ^
| Nov. 29, 2001
| David Royse, AP
Posted on 11/29/2001 4:08:58 AM PST by summer
Bush signs economic stimulus bill
Thursday, November 29, 2001
By DAVID ROYSE, Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE Gov. Jeb Bush signed a bill Wednesday meant to help speed up state construction projects as part of an effort to boost Florida's beleaguered economy.
The bill (CS-SB 24B) lets Department of Transportation contractors combine phases of road construction projects. Currently, each phase, such as the design or the actual building, is separately bid and awarded on most projects.
The bill expands the number of projects that can be awarded to one company, which can carry out all the work from design to actual construction.
The change is expected to get some planned highway projects started far sooner, creating work for road contractors. The hope is that those contractors will boost their work force, or at least avoid layoffs while the economy is slumping.
The measure, passed during a special session of the Legislature last month, is part of Bush's larger economic stimulus plan.
He still needs legislative approval for a bigger part of the plan: moving up the spending for road projects, allowing them to start sooner.
In all, Bush is hoping that 28,000 jobs could be created by the speedup.
"Road building is a big part of our economic livelihood," Bush said.
The bill signed Wednesday also eliminates a requirement that rights of way and easements needed to finish a project be acquired before it starts.
Now, the Department of Transportation will be able to advertise and award contracts even if the government hasn't acquired all the deeds necessary to do the work. Construction, however, won't be able to start until that's finished.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jim Sebesta, R-St. Petersburg, and Rep. Dave Russell, R-Brooksville, is expected to let 28 projects get started sooner than planned. In some cases, construction could start that otherwise would have been up to four years away.
Bush also used the bill-signing ceremony to tout another of his economic stimulus programs, a retraining effort known as Operation Paycheck.
The program assesses the skills of unemployed people, and gets them enrolled in community college or vocational programs. It also gives them credit for life skills toward their new degree or certification, with the intent of getting them back into a job sooner.
Bush said that since the program started last month, 275 people have enrolled in the accelerated job training. Nearly 2,000 more are being assessed to determine what skills they have and what type of training they might be eligible for.
Bush said he has "a sense of growing optimism" about the state's economy, which was slowing before Sept. 11 but has slumped more since the terrorist attacks of that day.
Bush cited a slight slowing of unemployment claims for his optimism, but noted, "we're still in tough times."
TOPICS: Announcements; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: jebbush
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To: JohnGalt
Where have all the supply-siders gone? Slaves to the Broken Window Theory. Sad.
To: summer
To: summer
Thanks for the ping.
To: summer
LOL How many pens is that? sounds like Jeb is going to get FL's economy moving again.
To: summer
Jeb and George
To: LarryLied
You shoulda put a barf alert on that guestbook!
To: LarryLied
Thanks, Larry. I've been actively seeking some more info so I can make an informed decision about my vote. :)
27
posted on
11/29/2001 1:16:13 PM PST
by
summer
To: katherineisgreat
Re your post #25 - that's such a funny picture of Gov. Bush! He's usually very photogenic, but even he has a rough day sometimes! :)
28
posted on
11/29/2001 1:17:33 PM PST
by
summer
To: LarryLied
Larry, I did not sign the guestbook, but I read a few pages -- based on what I read, I think her supporters are very oblivious to the actual make-up of the Florida electorate.
If they are going to start ridiculing people who own guns, own a motocycle, live in a rural area, etc., well, guess what? She is going to lose this state. In an election, a candidate should try to APPEAL to voters, not REJECT voters. Don't you think so, Larry?
I don't know. Maybe the actual strategy of her supporters IS to lose by the largest margin in FL history for a governor's race. If so, well, THAT is where they're heading, if they're going to ridicule everyone except urban voters and state union workers. There are a LOT more people in this state than that.
And, I know the following may come as a shock to them, but, it's true - there really ARE Cubans, former Dems and independents (including teachers like myself), gun owners, rural people, etc. And, such voters really DON'T like to be ridiculed. Heck, some of such voters might have even voted for the Dem Party's Pete Petersen, but -- I doubt Reno will get these swing votes. Reno's supporters don't seem to want these swing votes. I guess that's too bad for Janet Reno.
29
posted on
11/29/2001 1:28:39 PM PST
by
summer
To: summer
I think he looks Photogenic! Or at least very happy to see his brother. I wish I lived in Florida- or at least a state without Sarbanes and Mibarfski.
To: katherineisgreat
Yeah, I can see your point -- he was just mugging for the camera there! And, you know, Abbey, you could always MOVE to Florida! :)
31
posted on
11/29/2001 4:22:19 PM PST
by
summer
To: summer
Of course what is it- no property taxes? ARGH I hate Maryland politics- but the one good point is being near DC for FReeps- but then i'm always in school or MOm doesn't wanna drive me. but later when i have a liscense- I'll be FReeping.
To: katherineisgreat
It's no state INCOME tax! :)
33
posted on
11/29/2001 4:43:35 PM PST
by
summer
To: summer
Theng-Kwew, babe...FRegards
34
posted on
11/29/2001 4:43:54 PM PST
by
gonzo
To: gonzo
Love you gonzo.
35
posted on
11/29/2001 4:45:14 PM PST
by
summer
To: summer
Okay, Okay, sorry summer :-) I wish there was one site with all kinds of pics of Jeb, George, katherine, etc. all in one place. I guess that's what I'll be building soon!
To: katherineisgreat
Oh, please don't think I was ribbing you in any way! LOL! And, if you build a site, flag me! Also, you might want to check out his campaign site, at www.jeb.org :)
37
posted on
11/29/2001 4:52:35 PM PST
by
summer
To: summer
I have checked out jeb.org! Its really good!
To: Looking4Truth
Uh, guys, there IS a tax on individuals. It's called the Florida Intangible Tax. While it is supposed to be being phased out, it isn't gone yet. This one really steams me because it taxes the profit individuals get from their investments (once you reach a certain amount) -- even though the feds have already taken out a substantial chunk. And they wonder why people don't save enough money! Sometimes it seems like there is no point in doing so when others are out having fun, spending theirs.
39
posted on
11/29/2001 5:49:03 PM PST
by
Amore
To: summer
Thanks for the ping.
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