Florida Governor Makes the Grade

Florida schools all received new grades in the recent statewide report card, but it is Governor Jeb Bush that should get the high marks for his policy leadership. Governor Bush is not only at the head of his class in education– he also deserves A’s for fiscal management and medical malpractice reform, and the sunshine state definitely makes the honor roll with a balanced budget and no tax increases. Indeed, tax happy governors like Alabama’s Governor Bob Riley and California’s Governor Gray Davis should ask to borrow Jeb Bush’s study notes.

The new federal bailout for states is one example of Gov. Bush’s leadership. The federal government recently gave $20 billion to state governments to help meet their budgets because many have soaring deficits. In spite of pressure from liberals to spend nearly $1 billion of the state’s new emergency money, Jeb Bush hit the books—the state budget books—and figured out ways to trim spending. As a result, the new federal money is mostly going to a rainy day fund instead of expanding state programs. Governor Bush understands that if he spends the federal windfall by creating new programs, he will have a harder time cutting the state budget when that revenue is no longer there in two years.

Or, consider education. Many irresponsible spenders believe education problems can be solved by just spending more tax dollars. Yet, thanks primarily to responsible policy, Florida’s schools are now measured by a common standard, and students in failing schools have access to education scholarships to give them access to competing options. Charter schools and other accountability measures have forced Florida schools to focus on providing a quality education. Bush’s reformist approach is producing far more improvement than the liberal solution of simply throwing more money to the education monopoly.

Another key issue for many states is medical malpractice lawsuits. Trial lawyers abuse the system to earn exorbitant amounts of money, forcing insurance companies to increase premiums on malpractice insurance. Many doctors in high-risk practices are literally can no longer afford to treat patients. That’s why Jeb Bush is pushing a solution that includes a $250,000 cap on non-economic damages. While the plan is stalling in the Florida state Senate and will not be passed this session, the governor has promised to call legislators to special sessions until they give him a bill.

Perhaps most importantly, Governor Bush has not raised taxes. States across the nation have worked against the recent federal tax cut by adding more new taxes of their own. Bush, however, forced Florida to be fiscally responsible, protecting the state’s no income tax policy and keeping Florida competitive, drawing in more businesses and jobs. The residents of Florida will have more of their money to spend and invest, and the Florida state government will stay lean and effective.

The sluggish national economy has been hard on many states, but Governor Jeb Bush’s response receives an A+. This is why Florida is not experiencing a budget crisis like some other states. Fiscal restraint, malpractice reform, and no tax increases are putting Florida at the head of its class, and Governor Jeb Bush is passing the sound economic policy test with flying colors.