TaxWatch Statement: Governor Bush Pushes Responsible Budgeting and Veto Power, Touts Florida Experience

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Former Governor Bush announced his vision for America today, explaining how he plans to take on Washington. The cornerstone of his plan to curb excessive and irresponsible government spending is to implement Presidential veto power, a responsibility the Governor is familiar with thanks his bulldog approach to the Florida budget.

From Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, the independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog:

"For 36 years, Florida TaxWatch has embraced and supported responsible budgeting practices to protect the wallets of Florida taxpayers. Through our annual Budget Turkey Watch Review process, we work to increase accountability and transparency in the Florida Budget, principles wholeheartedly supported by Governor Bush during his eight years in office.

"Governor Bush was nicknamed 'Veto Corleone' for his hard line on vetoing more than $2 billion of budget items that circumvented policies to ensure accountability, integrity and transparency; many of which were flagged by Florida TaxWatch. Governor Bush proposed to bring these principles to Washington and apply them to the federal budget to enhance accountability and budget integrity for all of our nation's hardworking taxpayers.

"I commend Governor Bush for affirming his commitment to responsible budgeting and am hopeful that the leaders who support him in the Florida Legislature will honor his example while creating a budget that meets the needs for Floridians while respecting the money that belongs to Florida's working men and women, and our children and families."