West Orlando Punished by Scott’s Veto Pen

Gov. Rick Scott wielded his veto pen liberally on Monday, rejecting several projects which would surely have a negative impact on jobs and incomes in the Orlando area.

Among the projects denied by Scott were: Pine Hills pedestrian bridge ($800,000), Parramore Kidz Zone ($500,000), Oakland Waste Water project ($300,000), West Orange Economic Development Business Center ($1.2 million), National Entrepreneurship Center ($600,000) and Central Florida Urban League ($1.2 million), among others.  Scott did however approve $250,000 for a research and development at the Orange County Library, and $400,000 for Evans High School-based health center.

State Senator Geraldine Thompson, (District 12), whose district would suffer adversely from the projects Scott rejected said, in her view, the governor was being very short-sighted, given his emphasis on job creation.

“I think that the Governor Scott is very short-sighted because he says he wants to create jobs, yet he has vetoed several projects that would have done just that,” said Thompson. “The Pine Hills pedestrian bridge would have led to many jobs, including those for design and construction work.”

The pedestrian bridge, anticipated to span six lanes of highway over Silver Star road, was also a safety issue too. Its construction would have saved lives and not endangered those crossing the road.  “This is a huge loss for the area and for the people of Central Florida.”

Thompson said she was disappointed too, that Scott had vetoed the Oakland Sewage project, noting the area is unable to attract major investment such as hotel development, as the municipality operates off of a sceptic system rather than a modern sanitary system.  Turning down the Parramore Kidz Zone funding, was also nonsensical, particularly in view of the success of the program, Thompson said.

“Instead of spending money on incarcerating people, funds would be better spent on intervention and prevention, which is precisely what the PKZ does,” said a clearly frustrated Thompson. “The PKZ works with young people who are vulnerable and has a strong track record.”

Asked how she would rate the overall Legislative session, Thompson said, “not expanding Medicaid at a time when the Federal government is making $51 billion available to meet the health care needs of uninsured Floridians is disheartening and discouraging.”  I would give a C minus rating, overall, she added.