Top Ten Jeb Bush Lies
The Big Lie.
Bush repeatedly claims that “McBride’s plan” on class-size reduction will cost $27 billion and result in massive tax increases and severe budget cuts.
The truth is that McBride has his own class-size reduction plan, that Bush inflated the estimate above the $8 billion estimate by the state’s chief economist, and that the capital outlay costs can be paid for without either new taxes or budget cuts (Senator Ron Klein, 10/31).
2. The Even Bigger Lie.
“McBride: every day he promises more spending. The total so far? Twenty-nine billion dollars.” (Bush-Brogan ‘02, “More Spending,” 10/19)
The truth is that McBride’s education plan comprises less than 5 percent of Bush’s figure. “All but $1.5 billion of the $29 billion in new taxes attributed to McBride comes from the Republicans’ estimated cost over eight years of a proposed constitutional amendment…” (Miami Herald, 10/21)
3. The Preposterous Income Tax Lie.
Multiple Bush ads spread the falsehood that McBride might institute an income tax. Not only has McBride categorically denied any interest in instituting an income tax (Final Gubernatorial Debate, 10/22), but if Bush were to read the Florida Constitution, he may learn that an income tax is prohibited.
4. The Gun Lie.
Bush lies when his radio advertising claims that “McBride and his running mate support liberal gun control.” (Radio ad, “Too Liberal”, 10/24)
In fact, Bush himself and millions of other Floridians heard McBride, in two debates, declare that “I’m in favor of leaving gun laws in this state like they are,” (Sun-Sentinel, 10/23) – a position that he has been on record supporting for months.
5. The Holland & Knight Lie.
“McBride…cut employees health benefits.” (Direct mail, “Meet the Real Bill McBride, Part I,” 10/24)
The truth is that at the time of the firm restructuring in 1991, McBride was a member of a three-person management committee. H&K’s new managed care plan offered employees lower deductibles and more coverage. (H&K, Request for Proposal to Provide a Managed Care Program, 10/91)
6. The “Scare the Seniors” Lie.
“The bipartisan group Aging with Dignity says Bill McBride will have to either raise taxes or cut programs like Medicaid to pay for all his big spending promises to the teachers union.” (Television ad, 10/31)
The truth is that nowhere, neither on its website or in its Florida “Report Card” does Aging with Dignity say anything about McBride raising taxes or cutting Medicaid. (www.agingwithdignity.org; Florida “Report Card”)
An Education Lie.
“According to the U.S. Department of Education, McBride’s plan would cause Florida’s schools to lose $2.5 billion in federal money.” (“Meet the Real Bill McBride, Part III, Typical Politician”, direct mail piece)
The truth is that despite enlisting a top U.S. DOE official to participate in his campaign of lies, Florida newspapers judged as baseless the charge that McBride’s education plan would result in the loss of Title I funds. Education Secretary Rod Paige himself has said that states will have significant flexibility in implementing the new “No Child Left Behind” Act. In addition, the regulations governing the implementation of the act have not yet even been promulgated.
Another Education Lie.
“McBride’s education plan contains no real accountability. No regular testing. No way to measure school and student performance. And no hope for kids trapped in failing schools.” (“Meet the Real Bill McBride, Part III: Typical Politician”, direct mail piece)
In truth, McBride’s education plan, released May 23, retains the FCAT test but expands measures of accountability to include class sizes, teacher qualifications, parental involvement, and percentage of a school’s budget reaching the classroom to assess the quality of schools. His plan also allocates $100 million in new funding for remediation programs targeted at at-risk children and schools. (“A New Vision for Public Schools: The McBride Education Plan)
Another Tax Lie
“In fact, McBride has already proposed raising taxes in the state by nearly $1 billion.” (“Meet the Real Bill McBride, Part II: Owned by Special Interests”)
The truth is that the cigarette tax increase McBride supports would generate $565 million in the first year. Closing eight specific sales tax exemptions would generate another $51 million. $600 million is not “nearly $1 billion”, unless you’re Bush, apparently.
The Most Bizarre Lie of All
“Every living Floridian, even the two week newborn over there, would have to smoke four packs a day. It’s kill yourself for the kids.” (Bush, talking in Bradenton, Tampa Tribune, 11/1)
Florida’s cigarette tax is 33.9 cents per pack, and generated about $420 million in 2000. A 50-cent increase will generate $565 million in the first year, based on current consumption and sales. (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids)
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