Gov. Scott's Rail Decisions To Impact Jacksonville

[thelakelander]

Anyway, its all over. This email just came in at my office:

Subject: It's Now "Officially Now"

So you will know, just minutes ago, all negotiations have concluded…

…and the Governor, very shortly, will announce…

…there will be no High Speed Rail for Florida.

In spite of my overwhelming disappointment, I am very proud our combined efforts.
For sure, we did the right thing advancing this Regional Priority of the Central Florida Partnership…
…working together for a better community, working with others for a more competitive state, and, too, working in support of a stronger country.
We’ll talk more about this latter; but, right now, I wanted you to know of this forthcoming announcement.

Jacob V. Stuart
President
Central Florida Partnership

[PeeJayEss]

Nevertheless, this entire discussion is based on opinions.  All of this is more reason to allow the thing to be vetted by actual professionals who are considering putting their own cash into the project.  If deemed viable, it will go forward.  If not, it won't.  With this in mind, I still don't see what the fear is in allowing the bidding process to take place.

I am (was) all for putting it out there and getting ideas for it. I just wanted to point out that I think it could be better.

[urbaknight]

Well, hopefully we can boot Scott's crooked ass out during the next election. UGG, three more years!

[thelakelander]

PeeJayEss,

I agree, but its now officially dead, so its time to move on and prepare for the next off-the-wall decision coming out of Tallahassee these days.

[JeffreyS]

no it is not time to move on lake ,we have to continue to shine the light on what is crooked decision this was . too many people believe that nonsensethat he claims about this project. and we have to continue to tell the truth if we want that to change .

[FayeforCure]

Well, hopefully we can boot Scott's crooked ass out during the next election. UGG, three more years!

Urbaknight, with what he's already done I wouldn't be surprised if he'll be the first recalled Florida governor ever. That is if the Republican legislature will allow the option of recall to be law in the state of Florida like it is in 18 other states.

BTW the option of recall is already law for local officials, just not yet for state officials.

Kriseman files legislation for recall  


Article published on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011    Print  E-Mail   Share
 
State Representative Rick Kriseman


State Representative Rick Kriseman (D-St. Petersburg) announced Wednesday afternoon that he was filing legislation to create a provision to recall state officials.

According to a press release, Kriseman’s legislation would allow the public to recall state legislators, members of the cabinet, governor and lieutenant governor.

“Engaged citizens deserve the tools to hold their public servants accountable without having to wait for the next election,” Kriseman said. “Honest and dedicated elected officials will have nothing to fear from the implementation of this important proposal, and I am confident that my colleagues will support its passage.”

If the legislature approves Kriseman’s resolution, voters would get to decide the final fate of the measure during the November 2012 election.

House Joint Resolution 785 would allow the public to recall a state official by petition. It would require that signatures be collected in all 67 Florida counties. The signatures would need to equal 15 percent of the total votes cast in the last election for office.

To recall a member the house or senate, signatures totaling 20 percent of the total votes in the last election would be required.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 18 states now permit the recall of state officials.

Kriseman service Florida House District 53, which includes parts of Pinellas County.  
Article published on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011

http://www.tbnweekly.com/front_page/content_articles/021611_fpg-02.txt

Is It Time to Recall Rick Scott?

Less than two months into the job, Gov. Rick Scott is already facing a proposed bill that would allow Florida voters to recall him.

By Ralph De La Cruz
Florida Center for Investigative Reporting

Rick Scott came into the governor’s office without having ever governed. Not even a term on a school board. He never even had to get folks to reach consensus in a precinct.

Scott’s main qualification to be governor was that he was CEO of an HMO found guilty of the worst case of Medicare fraud in U.S. history.

He’s such a newbie that he doesn’t grasp the most fundamental concept about governing: Politics is the art of compromise.

Academics Donald J. Boudreaux and Dwight H. Lee, writing for no less a conservative voice than the Cato Institute, can explain: “Regardless of the terms employed, few doubt that politics is indeed the art of compromise. Politicians unwilling to compromise are typically labeled ideologues â€" a label not regarded as a badge of honor among members of the political class. Moreover, politicians who refuse to compromise seldom win and hold on to office …”

Being CEO, on the other hand, is the art of applying force and pressure.

Running a company is nothing like running a state.

And that’s becoming clearer with each passing day of Scott’s term.

and here are the multiple reasons for this:

His budget, presented to a tea party rally as if the rest of the state didn’t matter, pushed corporate tax cuts onto the backs of teachers, county and state workers, and correctional officers. Maybe if those correctional officers had contributed $100,000 at his inauguration, which was a dolled-up fundraiser for him and the Florida Republican Party, things might have been different. But instead, it was the Geo Group â€" which runs private prisons and employs Scott’s close chum, Bill Rubin, as its lobbyist â€" handing out the checks. And surprise, one of the first targets of Scott’s decimation of the state infrastructure was … the state prison system.

Scott campaigned against the hiring of state lobbyists, then hired state lobbyists.  The difference, he explained, was that these were his lobbyists. He threw state Sen. Paula Dockery, one of his earliest political supporters, under the political bus (or train) by rejecting $2.4 billion in federal money for a high-speed rail project that she had been working on for years. That decision reportedly occurred after he met with tea partiers in his office.

Hey, appeasing those loyal tea partiers by making an anti-Obama statement comes before political loyalty â€" or creating upwards of 20,000 Florida jobs.

It is as if we suddenly have en emperor in Tallahassee, issuing policy by decree.

That might be the way to run a corporation. But it’s no way to run a state.

And some final thoughts on the recall effort:

Citizens have now formed a Facebook group to advocate his recall. This after less than two months in office. But they should probably speak with Rep. Rick Kriseman first.

Last week, Kriseman introduced a bill that would allow the recall of state officials.

I know what you’re thinking: Scary that we don’t already have that right.

Yep. It’s past time. Thank you, Rep. Kriseman.

HB 787 should be automatic, considering the legislature is controlled by Republicans, who often tout accountability as a cornerstone of their party.

We’ll soon see whether for them (and their tea party supporters), accountability only applies to teachers and welfare recipients. Or whether it’s for all Floridians, regardless of position, pocketbook or political persuasion.

http://fcir.org/2011/02/22/is-it-time-to-recall-rick-scott/

And here is how it would work to recall a governor in Florida if Floridians appreciated accountability:

Florida voters can currently remove local officials through a recall process, but state officials can only be removed by the legislature or the governor.

"It struck me as wrong," Kriseman said. "I thought the people deserve the power to do that, because you cannot count, unfortunately, on the legislature to self-govern itself all the time."

Eighteen other states allow voters to recall statewide officials through petition, then ballot, but only two governors have ever been recalled. California governor Gray Davis was successfully recalled in 2003 and North Dakota governor Lynn Frazier was successfully recalled in 1921.

Kriseman's proposal would still make it very difficult for voters to recall an office-holder. Getting a gubernatorial recall put on the ballot, for instance, would require a fifth as many signatures as people that voted in the last election. That would be more than 1 million signatures. Then, a majority of voters statewide would still have to vote to remove the governor.

http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=175582&catid=8

[urbaknight]

Well, hopefully we can boot Scott's crooked ass out during the next election. UGG, three more years!

Urbaknight, with what he's already done I wouldn't be surprised if he'll be the first recalled Florida governor ever. That is if the Republican legislature will allow the option of recall to be law in the state of Florida like it is in 18 other states.

BTW the option of recall is already law for local officials, just not yet for state officials.

Kriseman files legislation for recall 


Article published on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011    Print  E-Mail   Share

There's a recall law for local leaders?! YEE HAA!!! What are we waiting for then, let's start cleaning house!!!

 



State Representative Rick Kriseman



State Representative Rick Kriseman (D-St. Petersburg) announced Wednesday afternoon that he was filing legislation to create a provision to recall state officials.

According to a press release, Kriseman’s legislation would allow the public to recall state legislators, members of the cabinet, governor and lieutenant governor.

[b]“Engaged citizens deserve the tools to hold their public servants accountable without having to wait for the next election,” [/b] Kriseman said. “Honest and dedicated elected officials will have nothing to fear from the implementation of this important proposal, and I am confident that my colleagues will support its passage.”

If the legislature approves Kriseman’s resolution, voters would get to decide the final fate of the measure during the November 2012 election.

House Joint Resolution 785 would allow the public to recall a state official by petition. It would require that signatures be collected in all 67 Florida counties. The signatures would need to equal 15 percent of the total votes cast in the last election for office.

To recall a member the house or senate, signatures totaling 20 percent of the total votes in the last election would be required.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 18 states now permit the recall of state officials.

Kriseman service Florida House District 53, which includes parts of Pinellas County. 
Article published on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011

http://www.tbnweekly.com/front_page/content_articles/021611_fpg-02.txt

Less than two months into the job, Gov. Rick Scott is already facing a proposed bill that would allow Florida voters to recall him.

Less than two months into the job, Gov. Rick Scott is already facing a proposed bill that would allow Florida voters to recall him. (Photo courtesy of Rick Scott.)


By Ralph De La Cruz
Florida Center for Investigative Reporting

Rick Scott came into the governor’s office without having ever governed. Not even a term on a school board. He never even had to get folks to reach consensus in a precinct.

Scott’s main qualification to be governor was that he was CEO of an HMO found guilty of the worst case of Medicare fraud in U.S. history.

He’s such a newbie that he doesn’t grasp the most fundamental concept about governing: Politics is the art of compromise.

Academics Donald J. Boudreaux and Dwight H. Lee, writing for no less a conservative voice than the Cato Institute, can explain: “Regardless of the terms employed, few doubt that politics is indeed the art of compromise. Politicians unwilling to compromise are typically labeled ideologues â€" a label not regarded as a badge of honor among members of the political class. Moreover, politicians who refuse to compromise seldom win and hold on to office …”

Being CEO, on the other hand, is the art of applying force and pressure.

Running a company is nothing like running a state.

And that’s becoming clearer with each passing day of Scott’s term.

and here are the multiple reasons for this:

His budget, presented to a tea party rally as if the rest of the state didn’t matter, pushed corporate tax cuts onto the backs of teachers, county and state workers, and correctional officers. Maybe if those correctional officers had contributed $100,000 at his inauguration, which was a dolled-up fundraiser for him and the Florida Republican Party, things might have been different. But instead, it was the Geo Group â€" which runs private prisons and employs Scott’s close chum, Bill Rubin, as its lobbyist â€" handing out the checks. And surprise, one of the first targets of Scott’s decimation of the state infrastructure was … the state prison system.

Scott campaigned against the hiring of state lobbyists, then hired state lobbyists.  The difference, he explained, was that these were his lobbyists. He threw state Sen. Paula Dockery, one of his earliest political supporters, under the political bus (or train) by rejecting $2.4 billion in federal money for a high-speed rail project that she had been working on for years. That decision reportedly occurred after he met with tea partiers in his office.

Hey, appeasing those loyal tea partiers by making an anti-Obama statement comes before political loyalty â€" or creating upwards of 20,000 Florida jobs.

It is as if we suddenly have en emperor in Tallahassee, issuing policy by decree.

That might be the way to run a corporation. But it’s no way to run a state.

And some final thoughts on the recall effort:

Citizens have now formed a Facebook group to advocate his recall. This after less than two months in office. But they should probably speak with Rep. Rick Kriseman first.

Last week, Kriseman introduced a bill that would allow the recall of state officials.

I know what you’re thinking: Scary that we don’t already have that right.

Yep. It’s past time. Thank you, Rep. Kriseman.

HB 787 should be automatic, considering the legislature is controlled by Republicans, who often tout accountability as a cornerstone of their party.

We’ll soon see whether for them (and their tea party supporters), accountability only applies to teachers and welfare recipients. Or whether it’s for all Floridians, regardless of position, pocketbook or political persuasion.

http://fcir.org/2011/02/22/is-it-time-to-recall-rick-scott/

And here is how it would work to recall a governor in Florida if Floridians appreciated accountability:

Florida voters can currently remove local officials through a recall process, but state officials can only be removed by the legislature or the governor.

"It struck me as wrong," Kriseman said. "I thought the people deserve the power to do that, because you cannot count, unfortunately, on the legislature to self-govern itself all the time."

Eighteen other states allow voters to recall statewide officials through petition, then ballot, but only two governors have ever been recalled. California governor Gray Davis was successfully recalled in 2003 and North Dakota governor Lynn Frazier was successfully recalled in 1921.

Kriseman's proposal would still make it very difficult for voters to recall an office-holder. Getting a gubernatorial recall put on the ballot, for instance, would require a fifth as many signatures as people that voted in the last election. That would be more than 1 million signatures. Then, a majority of voters statewide would still have to vote to remove the governor.

http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=175582&catid=8

[Jumpinjack]

I enjoy reading your thoughts but please cut down on the long quotes and quotes within quotes. Thanks.

[tufsu1]

More info. here

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/gov-rick-scott-is-done-with-high-speed-rail/1153594

btw...in case anyone wants to read what the local government-regional enity proposal said, here it is

http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2011/PDFs/HSR%20Proposal%20Term%20Sheet%202-23-11_1.pdf

If Scott killed this deal, what makes anyone think he will allow FECX/Amtrak, SunRail, or even commuter rail here in Jax. happen?

[FayeforCure]

More info. here

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/gov-rick-scott-is-done-with-high-speed-rail/1153594

btw...in case anyone wants to read what the local government-regional enity proposal said, here it is

http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2011/PDFs/HSR%20Proposal%20Term%20Sheet%202-23-11_1.pdf

If Scott killed this deal, what makes anyone think he will allow FECX/Amtrak, SunRail, or even commuter rail here in Jax. happen?

All of which DO indeed require state monies whereas HSR did NOT require state monies ( even though Scott LIED about the state "being on the hook").

[thelakelander]

If Scott killed this deal, what makes anyone think he will allow FECX/Amtrak, SunRail, or even commuter rail here in Jax. happen?

To be honest, without 100% local money or a public(all local)/private partnership, I don't see any major rail projects in Florida making a significant move forward during Scott's term.  This mode of transit simply does not align with his or the Reason Foundation's ideology.

[JeffreyS]

In the spirit of "when there is blood on the street buy real estate" Now is the time for Jax to find a way to invest in Streetcar (Riverside, Downtown and maybe a bit at the Beach).  We are connected to the plans for SEHSR so lets make ourselves attractive.  People and businesses were excited by the prospect of fixed transit in central Florida let's make ourselves attractive to them as well.  FEC has even commented in the past about running passenger/ commuter trains streetcar distribution system and skyway would help that prospect. Jax was caught with it's shorts down when Obama came into office and all we had looked at were buses.  If we had a local plan in place that could have been funded he would have funded it.

[tufsu1]

Jax was caught with it's shorts down when Obama came into office and all we had looked at were buses.  If we had a local plan in place that could have been funded he would have funded it.

Most transit plans work like this:

50% Federal match
25% State match
25% Local match

What makes you think the state will pony up any money?

[JeffreyS]

I don't we will need to see creative .

[fsujax]

If we want any of this we have to do it without the State. it is just that simple. The real question becomes how bad do the citizens of our region want commuter rail, HSR, streetcars, etc.

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=533013