Florida Supreme Court gives Rick Scott power to rule by decree

[Hugabear]

I'm on a mobile phone, so kinda hard to post a link, but essentially the Florida Supreme Court has ruled that Rick Scott can turn down federal funds for high speed rail, effectively killing the project.

This isn't about high speed rail, however. This is about the governor's ability to override the state legislature, which passed a high speed rail law a few years ago. This is about his ability to override Florida voters, who voted on a constitutional amendment requiring high speed rail. This is about his ability to say "Na, I don't think I like it, so I'm just going to kill it." The SC has now given him power to act unilaterally. For Rick Scott, who has never held elective office, the state is just one giant corporation for him to rule over.

This is just the beginning.

[hlthe2b]

1. Did the legislature have no plan B?

I should think they would have considered what other options were available, given today's deadline to enter into an agreement to get the Federal $$?

[Hugabear]

3. You mean the Florida Teabagger Association?

Oh, there's a lot of resentment, but the legislature won't do anything. Some of them, who voted for high speed rail, have done a complete about face and have their lips planted firmly on Scott's ass.

[madfloridian]

2. I saw that, and I thought of the justices being very conservative.

Here are just two examples:

Florida's new Supreme Court justice....led Clinton impeachment, led anti-abortion legislation.

"Canady offered thanks to the many family members in attendance, focusing the most on his wife and two daughters and his mother and father, Delores and Charles Canady. "They have always been there for me," he said.

He also recognized his religious faith, noting the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Lakeland has played "a central part in my life."

He promised the governor and the judicial panel that nominated him for the job that he would "strive to be worthy of the confidence" they put into him.

"For those of you who pray I ask that you pray that I will always judge with wisdom and integrity as a faithful servant of the law," he said."

And then the one before him appointed by Crist:

"Tallahassee, FL (LifeNews.com) -- Abortion advocates in Florida are upset with Governor Charlie Crist, who has selected two judges friendly to the pro-life movement for the Florida Supreme Court. Crist named conservative appellate judge Ricky Polston to the court today and former Rep. Charles Canady earlier.

The selections of Polston and Canady are disappointing to abortion advocates.

The Florida Association of Planned Parenthood Affiliates condemned both picks and noted that Polston, when he was an attorney in private practice, representing the backers of the Choose Life license plate in their efforts to get it approved. The plate sparked others nationwide has resulted in millions of dollars in funding for pregnancy centers and adoption programs.

''Supreme Court Justices can serve on the court for decades and their decisions impact the lives and health of Florida women and families for generations to come,'' Florida Planned Parenthood director Adrienne Kimmell said in a statement."

Conservative is not a strong enough word.