Post by RPankn on Jan 18, 2006 22:20:24 GMT -5
...finishes plan to cement fascist structure of Florida.
January 18, 2006
Jeb Bush asks $55M for space agenda
Governor wants to lure business, new vehicle assembly to Florida
By PAIGE ST. JOHN
FLORIDA TODAY
TALLAHASSEE -- To complement recommendations from his commission on space, Gov. Jeb Bush is asking the Legislature to approve a $55 million space agenda.
The largest share -- $35 million -- is money Bush promised contractors privately in December as part of what Florida could do to land NASA's intended shuttle replacement, the Crew Exploration Vehicle.
Two teams, one headed by Lockheed Martin and the other by Boeing and Northrop Grumman, have until later this month to submit their final bids for the chance to build the ships. Florida not only wants to launch the manned rocket ships, but assemble and repair them as well.
It won't kill the state's CEV dreams if the Legislature nixes the governor's budget, said Marshall Heard, Bush's space advisor and head of the state's CEV Capture Team.
"The likelihood of a win is increased if the Legislature comes through," Heard said. "Certainly we're in a better position."
Also in Bush's space budget:
Not in today's budget proposal but coming soon: a request to expand a current $10 million "closing fund" the governor has broad discretion to use to lure new business ventures to Florida, and a venture capital fund to help launch new companies.
Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings said those proposals would be detailed by next week.
www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060118/BREAKINGNEWS/60118012
January 18, 2006
Jeb Bush asks $55M for space agenda
Governor wants to lure business, new vehicle assembly to Florida
By PAIGE ST. JOHN
FLORIDA TODAY
TALLAHASSEE -- To complement recommendations from his commission on space, Gov. Jeb Bush is asking the Legislature to approve a $55 million space agenda.
The largest share -- $35 million -- is money Bush promised contractors privately in December as part of what Florida could do to land NASA's intended shuttle replacement, the Crew Exploration Vehicle.
Two teams, one headed by Lockheed Martin and the other by Boeing and Northrop Grumman, have until later this month to submit their final bids for the chance to build the ships. Florida not only wants to launch the manned rocket ships, but assemble and repair them as well.
It won't kill the state's CEV dreams if the Legislature nixes the governor's budget, said Marshall Heard, Bush's space advisor and head of the state's CEV Capture Team.
"The likelihood of a win is increased if the Legislature comes through," Heard said. "Certainly we're in a better position."
Also in Bush's space budget:
- $8 million for planning of a commercial spaceport that would allow horizontal launches, an effort to encourage space tourism and also facilitate current commercial launches that now are low priority at Cape Canaveral.
- $11 million to consolidate three current state space-related business development agencies into one, called Space Florida. It would operate similarly to Visit Florida, reporting to Enterprise Florida and the governor's office.
- $4 million for education and space programs in schools, funded by sales taxes collected at the Kennedy Space Center.
- $2 million to create a Center for Math and Science Education, similar to an existing state center that fosters research in teaching reading skills.
- Elimination of the sales tax for space and defense-related industries, at a cost to state coffers of $3 million.
Not in today's budget proposal but coming soon: a request to expand a current $10 million "closing fund" the governor has broad discretion to use to lure new business ventures to Florida, and a venture capital fund to help launch new companies.
Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings said those proposals would be detailed by next week.
www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060118/BREAKINGNEWS/60118012