The budget increases spending on schools, children, the elderly, the disabled, the environment and roads. Bush said he was proud and pleased to sign it. But the governor said he had to stay true to his belief that government can't grow faster than the income of taxpayers. With the vetoes, the growth in general revenue spending is roughly the same as personal income, Bush said.
General revenue is only part of the budget.
When all spending is considered, including trust funds and federal dollars, the growth of the new budget is about 4.5 percent. Other vetoed projects include education facilities, local parks, museums and construction dollars for nonprofit agencies with state contracts. We must plan, prepare and save. House Speaker John Thrasher, an Orange Park Republican who has been the governor's closest ally for the last two years, had no criticisms after the vetoes. Senate President Toni Jennings, R-Orlando, made the same point in her statement.