CSE’s Florida Chapter Was Founded 7 Months Before Jeb Bush’s Election; Priorities Were Aligned With Those of Corporate Donors

Miami Herald: “Florida Citizens For A Sound Economy Is A 7 Month Old Chapter Of A National Nonprofit, Nonpartisan Organization That Was Founded In 1984 To Advocate Conservative Causes.” According to the Miami Herald, “Florida Citizens for a Sound Economy is a 7 month old chapter of a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that was founded in 1984 to advocate conservative causes.” [Miami Herald, 11/10/98]

CSE’s Ties To Corporate Donors

CSE Fought A Plan By The Army Corps Of Engineers Which Would Have Caused Florida’s “Three Biggest Sugar Enterprises…To Lose Thousands Of Acres Of Cane-Growing Land To Reclamation.” According to the Washington Post, “Derailing a multibillion-dollar federal plan to restore the Florida Everglades is just the kind of cause that suits Citizens for a Sound Economy, a conservative think tank that fights for smaller government. But soon after the group took on the Everglades project in 1998, the Washington-based nonprofit got an incentive that went beyond the purely philosophical. It received $ 700,000 in contributions from Florida’s three biggest sugar enterprises, which stand to lose thousands of acres of cane-growing land to reclamation if the Army Corps of Engineers plan goes into effect.” [Washington Post, 1/29/00]

October To December 1998: CSE Took Sugar Industry Contributions Of $280,000 Each From US Sugar Corp And Florida Crystals Corp And $140,000 From The Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative Of Florida. According to the Washington Post, “CSE took in the sugar industry contributions–$ 280,000 each from U.S. Sugar Corp. and Florida Crystals Corp., and $ 140,000 from the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida–from October to December 1998. That November, CSE Foundation issued a news release asserting that the Everglades project would cost $ 120 per household in Florida and could result in the loss of 2,879 jobs. The foundation also released a poll concluding that the vast majority of Floridians did not support tax hikes to finance the project.” [Washington Post, 1/29/00]

November 1998: CSE Foundation “Issued A News Release Asserting That The Everglades Restoration Project Would Cost $120 Per Household In Florida And Could Result In The Loss Of 2,879 Jobs.” According to the Washington Post, “CSE took in the sugar industry contributions–$ 280,000 each from U.S. Sugar Corp. and Florida Crystals Corp., and $ 140,000 from the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida–from October to December 1998. That November, CSE Foundation issued a news release asserting that the Everglades project would cost $ 120 per household in Florida and could result in the loss of 2,879 jobs. The foundation also released a poll concluding that the vast majority of Floridians did not support tax hikes to finance the project.” [Washington Post, 1/29/00]

“Sugar Industry Representatives Kept A Low Profile, Asserting Publicly That, In Principle, They Supported The Restoration Plan.” According to the Washington Post, “Meanwhile, sugar industry representatives kept a low profile, asserting publicly that, in principle, they supported the restoration plan. The Florida legislature approved a revised version of it last year, but hurdles remain, including congressional funding. The companies said they did not renew their contributions to CSE in 1999 because CSE’s outspoken criticism no longer reflected their position.” [Washington Post, 1/29/00]

CSE’s Deep Ties to Jeb Bush

Florida Chapter of Citizens for a Sound Economy Was Founded 7 Months Before Jeb Bush’s Second Run for Governor

Politifact Ruled Charles Koch’s Claim That His Political Engagement Only Began In The Past Decade Was False, Given His Funding For CSE. According to Politifact in the Tampa Bay Times, “For example, Charles Koch and his brother David made several large financial commitments prior to 2004 to free-market oriented groups such as the Cato Institute, the Reason Foundation, the Mercatus Center and Citizens for a Sound Economy, which was the pre-2004 precursor of Americans for Prosperity and FreedomWorks.” [Politifact – Tampa Bay Times, 4/3/14]

Palm Beach Post Editorial: “CSE Wants To Portray Itself As Taxpayer-Friendly And Credible. But Halloween Has Come And Gone.” According to the Palm Beach Post, “CSE wants to portray itself as taxpayer-friendly and credible. But Halloween has come and gone. Last spring, CSE lobbied for a doubling of local phone rates; public outrage forced the Legislature to back off.” [Palm Beach Post, 11/12/98]

Palm Beach Post Editorial Page Editor Randy Schultz: To CSE And Other Outside Groups, “Butt Out. Get Lost. Take A Hike.” According to an opinion by Editorial Page editor Randy Schultz in the Palm Beach Post, “To any out-of-state groups that want to ‘help’ South Florida decide how to use water over the next 50 years, here is a simple request: Butt out. Get lost. Take a hike.” [Randy Schultz – Palm Beach Post, 12/13/98]

CSE Florida Director Slade O’Brien Had Close Business, Familial, Political Ties to Jeb Bush

Slade O’Brien Was Nephew of State GOP Chairman Who Made Jeb Bush Governor and Was Business Partner of Finance Chairman of Bush’s 1994 Campaign

CSE Florida Director Slade O’Brien Was A Nephew Of State GOP Chairman Tom Slade; O’Brien Formerly Worked For Blue Lake Corporate Center With Mark Guzzetta, Finance Chairman For Gov. Jeb Bush’s Re-Election Campaign. According to the Palm Beach Post, “So neither CSE’s reputation nor its figuring is persuasive. But the director of CSE’s Florida chapter is Slade O’Brien of Boca Raton, a nephew of state GOP Chairman Tom Slade. From December through April, Mr. O’Brien was director of government and public affairs for Blue Lake Corporate Center in Boca. One of the Blue Lake developers is Mark Guzzetta, finance chairman for Gov.-elect Jeb Bush’s campaign. Mr. Bush was best man at Mr. Guzzetta’s wedding.” [Palm Beach Post, 11/12/98]

Palm Beach Post: CSE Florida Director Slade O’Brien “Has Ties To Two Top Supporters Of Gov.-Elect Jeb Bush.”. According to the Palm Beach Post, “Slade O’Brien, director of the group’s Boca Raton-based Florida chapter, rejected attempts to label his organization pro-business. ‘We are a consumer group,’ he said. He said it is getting involved in the Everglades because so many residents have expressed alarm about the plan. O’Brien refused to reveal the group’s donors or how much the reports and poll cost. O’Brien has ties to two top supporters of Gov.-elect Jeb Bush: O’Brien is the nephew of state Republican Party Chairman Tom Slade, and until last spring, O’Brien worked for the Blue Lake Corporate Center in Boca Raton. Blue Lake’s developers include Bush campaign finance chief Mark Guzzetta.” [Palm Beach Post, 11/12/98]

Tom Slade, Slade O’Brien’s Uncle, Was Often Credited With Almost Singlehandedly Making Jeb Bush Governor

Orlando Sentinel: Tom Slade’s “Tenure Leading The State GOP Is Probably Best Remembered For The 1998 Victory Of Gov. Jeb Bush.” According to the Orlando Sentinel, “Slade’s tenure leading the state GOP is probably best remembered for the 1998 victory of Gov. Jeb Bush. But the period also included finding little-known candidates such as Frank Brogan and Bob Milligan and winning statewide races against better-known Democrats. Brogan had been the Martin County schools superintendent before defeating Democrat Doug Jamerson for education commissioner in 1994. Similarly, Milligan was a retired U.S. Marines general when he unseated longtime Comptroller Gerald Lewis.” [Orlando Sentinel, 10/20/14]

University Of South Florida St. Petersburg Political Scientist Darryl Paulson: “Jeb Bush… Could Not Be Possible Without Tom Slade.” According to the Tampa Bay Times, “‘I can’t think of anyone as instrumental in the development of the modern Republican Party as Tom Slade,’ said retired University of South Florida St. Petersburg political scientist Darryl Paulson, who has studied the state party extensively. ‘Jeb Bush, in many respects, could not be possible without Tom Slade.’” [Tampa Bay Times, 10/21/14]

Gov. Jeb Bush: Tom Slade “Was A Bold And Decisive Leader Who Inspired Others To Get On Board With The Causes And Campaigns He Was Passionate About.” According to the Tampa Bay Times, “Mr. Slade ‘was a bold and decisive leader who inspired others to get on board with the causes and campaigns he was passionate about throughout his time in public office and in the political arena,’ former Gov. Jeb Bush said in an email. ‘And, if you found yourself on the opposite side of a campaign, he was a true force to be reckoned with politically! Tom also had a huge heart, a larger than life personality and a truly wonderful sense of humor. He was a blast to be around.’” [Tampa Bay Times, 10/21/14]

Bush: “And, If You Found Yourself On The Opposite Side Of A Campaign,” Slade “Was A True Force To Be Reckoned With Politically.” According to the Tampa Bay Times, “Mr. Slade ‘was a bold and decisive leader who inspired others to get on board with the causes and campaigns he was passionate about throughout his time in public office and in the political arena,’ former Gov. Jeb Bush said in an email. ‘And, if you found yourself on the opposite side of a campaign, he was a true force to be reckoned with politically! Tom also had a huge heart, a larger than life personality and a truly wonderful sense of humor. He was a blast to be around.’” [Tampa Bay Times, 10/21/14]

Bush: Slade “Had A Huge Heart, A Larger Than Life Personality And A Truly Wonderful Sense Of Humor. He Was A Blast To Be Around.” According to the Tampa Bay Times, “Mr. Slade ‘was a bold and decisive leader who inspired others to get on board with the causes and campaigns he was passionate about throughout his time in public office and in the political arena,’ former Gov. Jeb Bush said in an email. ‘And, if you found yourself on the opposite side of a campaign, he was a true force to be reckoned with politically! Tom also had a huge heart, a larger than life personality and a truly wonderful sense of humor. He was a blast to be around.’” [Tampa Bay Times, 10/21/14]

State Republican Sen. Jack Latvala “Accused Slade… Of Trying To Derail A Possible” Challenge To Bush. According to the Florida Times-Union, “A Republican lawmaker says state GOP leader Tom Slade should consider stepping down for publicly accusing a lobbyist of selling access to Senate President Toni Jennings. Sen. Jack Latvala accused Slade, who has endorsed the gubernatorial candidacy of Jeb Bush in 1998, of trying to derail a possible run for the GOP nomination by Jennings.” [Florida Times-Union, 3/29/97]

Latvala: “I’ve Never Seen” A Party Chair “Get Involved In Subverting The Potential Bids Of Much-More Qualified Candidates Than The Guy He’s Backing.” According to the Florida-Times Union, “Sen. Jack Latvala accused Slade, who has endorsed the gubernatorial candidacy of Jeb Bush in 1998, of trying to derail a possible run for the GOP nomination by Jennings. ‘I have never seen a party chairman as overbearing and manipulative as Tom Slade,’ the Palm Harbor lawmaker said. ‘I’ve certainly never seen one get involved in subverting the potential bids of much-more qualified candidates than the guy he’s backing,’ Latvala said.” [Florida Times-Union, 3/29/97]

Palm Beach Post: Tom Slade “Rarely Makes A Move Without Coordinating It With Bush’s Top Advisers.” According to the Palm Beach Post, “State party Chairman Tom Slade, who rarely makes a move without coordinating it with [Jeb] Bush’s top advisers, began publicly distancing himself from [Sandra] Mortham. At the same time, Mortham’s advisers were being discouraged from taking more aggressive action to defend her.” [Palm Beach Post, 1/18/98]

O’Brien Discussed Opposition to Everglades Plan Days After Bush’s Election, Said He Had “Warned His Uncle To Expect Phone Calls,” And That “There Will Come A Time When I Have A Chance To Talk To Jeb About It.”

O’Brien Said That He Hadn’t Talked to Bush Or Guzzetta About Everglades Plan But “Warned His Uncle To Expect Phone Calls,” And That “There Will Come A Time When I Have A Chance To Talk To Jeb About It.’” According to The Palm Beach Post: “O’Brien said he hasn’t talked to Bush or Guzzetta about the corps plan, and he has only warned his uncle to expect phone calls. But he added, ‘There will come a time when I have a chance to talk to Jeb about it.’” [Palm Beach Post, 11/12/98]

O’Brien’s Career Rose With Jeb Bush’s Career

O’Brien Ran The Florida Republican Party’s Major Donor Program In 1993. According to the Palm Beach Post, “[Slade] O’Brien has worked as a lobbyist as well as a campaign staffer in Boca Raton. In 1993, O’Brien, working for his uncle, Tom Slade, the chairman of the Florida Republican Party, ran the party’s major donor program in Florida.” [Palm Beach Post, 4/29/99]

O’Brien Was A First-Time Delegate To The Republican National Committee In 2000.. According to the Palm Beach Post, “Many delegates are first-timers to the national convention but, as in the case of two from Palm Beach County, are far from outsiders to the Republican political world. Slade O’Brien, a Delray Beach delegate, is a nephew of the past state Republican Party chairman, Tom Slade. A political consultant, O’Brien, 37, is also a nephew of Boca Raton City Council member Susan Whelchel.” [Palm Beach Post, 8/1/00]

O’Brien Is Susan Whelchel’s Nephew. According to the Palm Beach Post, “Many delegates are first-timers to the national convention but, as in the case of two from Palm Beach County, are far from outsiders to the Republican political world. Slade O’Brien, a Delray Beach delegate, is a nephew of the past state Republican Party chairman, Tom Slade. A political consultant, O’Brien, 37, is also a nephew of Boca Raton City Council member Susan Whelchel.” [Palm Beach Post, 8/1/00]

Gov. Jeb Bush Appointed Susan Whelchel To The Palm Beach County School Board In 2000. According to The Sun-Sentinel, “Palm Beach County has a new School Board member: Boca Raton Councilwoman Susan Whelchel. Gov. Jeb Bush announced Whelchel’s appointment Friday. She will take office on Dec. 12, filling the vacancy created when former board member Art Johnson was hired as the school district’s chief academic officer.” [Sun-Sentinel, 11/18/00]

Whelchel Identified Reducing Class Size As “One Of The Most Important Issues” For The School Board. According to The Sun-Sentinel, “Whelchel’s viewpoint won’t likely be much different from that of the man she replaces on the School Board. They have similar backgrounds in education, although Whelchel’s 15 years as a teacher is not as extensive as Johnson’s 30-year career. Like Johnson, she has some business experience. He pushed district staff to find money to reduce class size; she sees reducing class size as one of the most important issues the board faces.” [Sun-Sentinel, 11/18/00]

O’Brien Came Under Ethical Scrutiny For Campaign Finance Issues

O’Brien Admitted To Taking Money From A Developer To “Skirt” Donation Limits To Whelchel While Working As Her Campaign Manager. According to the Palm Beach Post, “A former campaign manager for Councilwoman Susan Whelchel has admitted he discussed taking money from a developer to skirt state limits on $ 500-a-person donations, according to court documents. While working for Whelchel’s March 1997 election campaign, Slade O’Brien said he asked Lee Morris, a real-estate investor who wanted to build an eight-story luxury apartment building along State Road A1A in Boca Raton, for payments to Whelchel’s campaign that could be made directly to his consulting company, The Slade Group.” [Palm Beach Post, 4/29/99]

O’Brien Also Admitted He “Acted As An Intermediary Between Council Members On Matters Of City Business… Which Could Be Construed As A Violation Of The Sunshine Law.” According to the Palm Beach Post, “[Slade] O’Brien, [Councilwoman Susan] Whelchel’s nephew and a longtime lobbyist who has worked in political campaigns for three other city council members, also said in the deposition he acted as an intermediary between council members on matters of city business, including [Lee] Morris’ Mirasol building and the Blue Lake project, which could be construed as a violation of the Sunshine Law.” [Palm Beach Post, 4/29/99]

Real-Estate Investor Lee Morris Said O’Brien “Asked Him To Funnel Money To Whelchel’s Campaign By Paying More Than $10,000 To The Slade Group” So O’Brien “Would Not Need To Charge Whelchel For His Services.” According to the Palm Beach Post, “[Lee] Morris says O’Brien asked him to funnel money to [Councilwoman Susan] Whelchel’s campaign by paying more than $ 10,000 to The Slade Group. That way, O’Brien would not need to charge Whelchel for his services, Morris said O’Brien told him.” [Palm Beach Post, 4/29/99]

O’Brien Told Morris That The Arrangement Was “Certainly In The Gray Area,” But An Elections Supervisor Described It As “Very Clearly Against The Law.” According to the Palm Beach Post, “[Attorney Cole] FitzGerald: ‘But that the money you might have received through Lee (Morris) or his companies would enable you to reduce the fee you would have had to charge her campaign?’ [Slade]O’Brien: ‘I believe I might have had that conversation. . . . Lee asked me if it was kosher, for lack of a better way of describing it, and my answer was that it was certainly in the gray area.’ Palm Beach County Elections Supervisor Theresa LePore said that this type of arrangement does not fall in any gray area: ‘That is clearly illegal. Any type of payment made to circumvent campaign contribution laws is very clearly against the law.’” [Palm Beach Post, 4/29/99]

O’Brien Or His Attorney “Talked To Individual Council Members About What Other Council Members Thought.” According to the Palm Beach Post, “Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Law dictates how and when elected officials can meet to discuss official business. Elected officials are not allowed to meet or discuss any official business in private, and it is also illegal to use ‘third party’ communication, where council members talk through an intermediary. [Slade] O’Brien, though, admitted that he or his lawyer, Bob Eisen, talked to individual council members about what other council members thought of Blue Lake and Mirasol.” [Palm Beach Post, 4/29/99]

Florida Law Dictates That “Elected Officials Are Not Allowed To Meet Or Discuss Any Official Business In Private, And It Is Also Illegal To…Talk Through An Intermediary.” According to the Palm Beach Post, “Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Law dictates how and when elected officials can meet to discuss official business. Elected officials are not allowed to meet or discuss any official business in private, and it is also illegal to use ‘third party’ communication, where council members talk through an intermediary. [Slade] O’Brien, though, admitted that he or his lawyer, Bob Eisen, talked to individual council members about what other council members thought of Blue Lake and Mirasol.” [Palm Beach Post, 4/29/99]

CSE Employee Joyce Malone Traveled, Emailed, Campaigned With Bush for His Brother’s Presidential Campaign

Joyce Malone Volunteered For Jeb Bush’s 1994 Campaign. According to the Apopka Chief, “She [Joyce Malone] has been active in grassroots politics for more than 20 years in Florida. Beginning in 1993 as a volunteer on the Jeb Bush campaign, she started down a path which led to working in almost every facet of the political arena. She is a veteran of many local, state and national campaigns.” [Apopka Chief, 3/7/14 via archive.org]

In 2000, Malone Worked For Citizens For A Sound Economy. According to an email from Joyce Malone (JMalone@CSE.org) to Jeb Bush on January 17, 2000, “Jeb, Beginning next month, CSE will be will be presenting its’ legislative agenda to our club members. We now have clubs in 11 different areas of the state. Average attendance is approximately 100 at each meeting. These members look to us to provide them with specific information about legislation that will be taken up during the upcoming legislative session and want to get involved by making phone calls and writing letters to the editor, etc.” [Joyce Malone Email to Jeb Bush, 1/17/00]

In 2014, Malone Worked As “The Director Of Grassroots And Special Events For The Florida Chapter Of Americans For Prosperity.” According to the Apopka Chief, “Malone is the director of Grassroots and Special Events for the Florida Chapter of Americans for Prosperity. She will be speaking on Americans for Prosperity.” [Apopka Chief, 3/7/14 via archive.org]

Malone Traveled With Bush to New Hampshire In 2000 to Campaign for George W. Bush

Jeb Bush “And 120 Supporters” Including John Thrasher Were Flown By The George W. Bush Presidential Campaign To New Hampshire Ahead Of The Presidential Primary In January 2000. According to the Associated Press, “Florida Gov. Jeb Bush plans a short trip to New Hampshire this month to help Texas Gov. George Bush, his brother and Republican presidential candidate. The Bush campaign is chartering a jet to fly Florida’s governor and 120 supporters north in mid-January to do door-to-door campaigning for the elder Bush brother in advance of the first-in-the-nation Feb. 1 primary. Other top Republican leaders from Florida will make the trip. Education Commissioner Tom Gallagher and House Speaker John Thrasher plan to be on the plane.” [AP, 1/7/00]

Malone Thanked Gov. Bush For “Allowing Me To Be A Part” Of A “Trip To N.H.” According to an email from Joyce Malone (JMalone@CSE.org) to Jeb Bush on January 17, 2000, “p.s. Trip to N.H. was great. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of it all.” [Joyce Malone Email to Jeb Bush, 1/17/00]

Gov. Bush Responded To Malone By Thanking Her And Saying He Would Have His “Communications Dude” “Get In Touch” With Her. According to an email from Gov. Jeb Bush to Joyce Malone, “thanks Joyce. I will get Justin to get in touch with you. He is our communications dude. Jeb” [Jeb Bush Email to Joyce Malone, 1/17/00]

Malone Offered Support for Bush’s Agenda from CSE, Backed His Education Plan

Malone Told Gov. Jeb Bush “If You Will Let Me Know What Your Goals Are For This Session And Where We Can Provide Grassroots Support For Your Agenda,” CSE “Would Love To Help On Those Issues…” According to an email from Joyce Malone (JMalone@CSE.org) to Jeb Bush on January 17, 2000, “If you will let me know what your goals are for this session and where we can provide grassroots support for your agenda, we would love to help on those issues that fit into our agenda of educating the public on economic issues that limit government, lower taxes and promote competition. We of course will continue to educate our members on our tort reform efforts. Also, competition in the education arena (thus support for your A+ Plan) will be another of our continued main areas of concern.” [Joyce Malone Email to Jeb Bush, 1/17/00]

The Subject Of Malone’s Email Was “Legislative Agenda-CSE Wants To Support!!!” [Joyce Malone Email to Jeb Bush, 1/17/00]

Malone Promised Support For Gov. Bush’s A+ Education Plan As “Another Of Our Continued Main Areas Of Concern” For CSE. According to an email from Joyce Malone (JMalone@CSE.org) to Jeb Bush on January 17, 2000, “If you will let me know what your goals are for this session and where we can provide grassroots support for your agenda, we would love to help on those issues that fit into our agenda of educating the public on economic issues that limit government, lower taxes and promote competition. We of course will continue to educate our members on our tort reform efforts. Also, competition in the education arena (thus support for your A+ Plan) will be another of our continued main areas of concern.” [Joyce Malone Email to Jeb Bush, 1/17/00]

Malone Asked Gov. Bush To “Let Me Know Where Else” CSE “Can Help.” According to an email from Joyce Malone (JMalone@CSE.org) to Jeb Bush on January 17, 2000, “Beginning next month, CSE will be will be presenting its’ legislative agenda to our club members. We now have clubs in 11 different areas of the state. Average attendance is approximately 100 at each meeting. These members look to us to provide them with specific information about legislation that will be taken up during the upcoming legislative session and want to get involved by making phone calls and writing letters to the editor, etc.

[…] Let me know where else we can help. I need to get our legislative agenda and support information for that agenda out to our members as soon as possible.” [Joyce Malone Email to Jeb Bush, 1/17/00]

Slade O’Brien And Bush Also Emailed About CSE Support for Bush’s Education Plan

Slade O’Brien Emailed Jeb Bush Regarding School Choice, Saying CSE Would “Like To Help You On This Issue.” According to an email from Slade O’Brien to Gov. Jeb Bush on March 14, 2000, “Subject: Judges Ruling on School Choice. Governor Bush: Thought you might be interested in the following press release. CSE would very like [sic] to help you on this issue. All we need is some direction or a contact person in your office to work with, and we’ll be off and running. Sincerely, Slade O’Brien and Joyce Malone” [Slade O’Brien Email to Gov. Jeb Bush, 3/14/00]

Bush Response To Slade O’Brien: “I Will Get Someone To Contact You. Thanks Slade.” According to an email from Gov. Jeb Bush to Slade O’Brien on March 14, 2000, “I will get someone to contact you. Thanks Slade. Jeb” [Gov. Jeb Bush Email to Slade O’Brien, 3/14/00]

Malone And Bush Exchanged Emails And Discussed Meeting After Closure of CSE Florida Offices

Malone Asked Gov. Bush To Meet In 2002 To Discuss CSE Closing Its Florida Offices. According to an email from Joyce Malone to Jeb Bush on February 26, 2002, “Jeb, I just found out last week that CSE is closing it’s Florida Offices as of next week. I would really appreciate a 10 minute meeting with you to discuss what is happening. I will be in Tallahassee on Tuesday the 5th for the Feeney, James Madison fundraiser. Would you by any chance be able to spare 10 minutes on that day? If not, I will make myself available anytime next week that would work for you. Thank you, and keep up the good work. Joyce” [Joyce Malone Email to Jeb Bush, 2/26/02]

Gov. Bush Said He Would “Check” On Meeting Her And “If Not, We Can Do Over The Phone.” According to an email from Gov. Jeb Bush to Joyce Malone on February 26, 2002, “I will check. if not, we can do over the phone. Jeb Bush” [Jeb Bush Email to Joyce Malone, 2/26/02]

Multiple Citizens for a Sound Economy Staffers Were Registered Lobbyists

Joyce Malone

Joyce Malone Was A Registered Lobbyist For Citizens For A Sound Economy In 2002. According to the Florida Legislature’s registered lobbyist report, Joyce Malone was a registered lobbyist for Citizens for a Sound Economy in 2002. [flsenate.gov via archive.org, 4/10/02]

Malone Was A Registered Lobbyist For Citizens For A Sound Economy In 2001. According to the Florida Legislature’s registered lobbyist report, Joyce Malone was a registered lobbyist for Citizens for a Sound Economy in 2001. [flsenate.gov via archive.org, 01/03/02]

Malone Was A Registered Lobbyist For Citizens For A Sound Economy In 2000. According to the Florida Legislature’s registered lobbyist report, Joyce Malone was a registered lobbyist for Citizens for a Sound Economy in 2000. [leg.state.fl.us via archive.org, 8/15/00]

Slade O’Brien

Slade O’Brien Was A Registered Lobbyist For Citizens For A Sound Economy In 2002. According to the Florida Legislature’s registered lobbyist report, William S. O’Brien was a registered lobbyist for Citizens for a Sound Economy in 2002. [flsenate.gov via archive.org, 4/10/02]

O’Brien Was A Registered Lobbyist For Citizens For A Sound Economy In 2001. According to the Florida Legislature’s registered lobbyist report, William S. O’Brien was a registered lobbyist for Citizens for a Sound Economy in 2001. [flsenate.gov via archive.org, 01/03/02]

O’Brien Was A Registered Lobbyist For Citizens For A Sound Economy In 2000. According to the Florida Legislature’s registered lobbyist report, William S. O’Brien was a registered lobbyist for Citizens for a Sound Economy in 2000. [leg.state.fl.us via archive.org, 8/15/00]

Alan Florez Withdrew Registration to Lobby for Citizens for a Sound Economy, Changed Registration to Executive Office of the Governor, Worked As Jeb Bush’s Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs and Special Assistant From 2001-2005

Alan Florez Was A Registered Lobbyist For Citizens For A Sound Economy In 2001. According to the Florida Legislature’s registered lobbyist report, Alan S. Florez was a registered lobbyist for Citizens for a Sound Economy in 2001. [flsenate.gov via archive.org, 01/03/02]

July 2001: Florez’s Registration With Citizens For A Sound Economy Was Withdrawn. According to the Florida Legislature’s registered lobbyist report, Alan S. Florez’s CSE lobbyist registration was withdrawn on 07/05/01. [flsenate.gov via archive.org, 01/03/02]

2001: Florez Was Listed As A Registered Lobbyist For The Executive Office Of The Governor. According to the Florida Legislature’s registered lobbyist report, Alan S. Florez was a registered lobbyist for the Executive Office of the Governor in 2001. [flsenate.gov via archive.org, 01/03/02]

2001 To 2005: Florez Served As Gov. Jeb Bush’s Deputy Director Of Legislative Affairs And As A Special Assistant. According to a biography on the University of Central Florida’s website, “Alan Florez, of Ormond Beach, is executive vice president of Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc. – Daytona Beach. Previously, Florez served as Governor Jeb Bush’s deputy director of Legislative Affairs and also as his Special Assistant before pursuing his present career in commercial insurance sales. Florez was appointed to the UCF Board of Trustees in 2006 and then again in 2011. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from UCF in 1998.” [UCF.edu, accessed 3/9/15; Alan Florez LinkedIn, accessed 3/9/15]

Florez Was A Registered Lobbyist For Citizens For A Sound Economy In 2000. According to the Florida Legislature’s registered lobbyist report, Alan S. Florez was a registered lobbyist for Citizens for a Sound Economy in 2000. [leg.state.fl.us via archive.org, 8/15/00]

Carlos Muhletaler Was Registered Lobbyist for Citizens for a Sound Economy, Worked as Regional Field Organizaer for Koch-Controlled Groups Generation Opportunity, Americans for Prosperity

Carlos Muhletaler Was A Registered Lobbyist For Citizens For A Sound Economy In 2001. According to the Florida Legislature’s registered lobbyist report, Carlos M. Muhletaler was a registered lobbyist for Citizens for a Sound Economy in 2001. [flsenate.gov via archive.org, 01/03/02]

2013 To Present: Muhletaler Served As Regional Field Coordinator For Americans For Prosperity. According to Carlos Muhletaler’s LinkedIn, Carlos Muhletaler served as Regional Field Coordinator for Americans for Prosperity from June 2013 – Present. [Carlos Muhletaler LinkedIn, accessed 3/9/15]

2012: Mulhetaler Served As Regional Field Director For Generation Opportunity. According to Carlos Muhletaler’s LinkedIn, Carlos Muhletaler served as Regional Field Director for Generation Opportunity from May 2012 – December 2012. [Carlos Muhletaler LinkedIn, accessed 3/9/15]

Muhletaler Was A Registered Lobbyist For Citizens For A Sound Economy In 2000. According to the Florida Legislature’s registered lobbyist report, Carlos M. Muhletaler was a registered lobbyist for Citizens for a Sound Economy in 2000. [leg.state.fl.us via archive.org, 8/15/00]

2003: Constitutent Emailed Jeb Bush To Thank Him for Appearance At Breakfast With Citizens for a Sound Economy in 1999

Email From Constituent To Gov. Jeb Bush: “I Went To Your Wonderful Breakfast With Citizens For A Sound Economy…” According to an email from a Constituent to Gov. Jeb Bush on January 11, 2003, “I went to your wonderful breakfast with Citizens for a Sound Economy four years ago and sat with your state comptroller at the time. The early morning service made me cry to think of how beatiful [sic] and how devestating [sic] to have my husband in the hospital for a whole year waiting for a heart and not knowing that his families [sic] home that he worked two jobs to have and leave a roof over their heads could be taken. He has lost it all. Not knowing what will happen to us is killing me.” [Constituent Email to Gov. Jeb Bush, 1/11/03]

CSE, Jeb Bush & Auto Emissions

Gov. Jeb Bush Ended Auto Emissions Tests Without EPA Permission – “The First State In History To Take Such A Drastic Step.” According to the St. Petersburg Times, “Gov. Jeb Bush and the Legislature ended the $ 10-a-year tailpipe tests at the end of June, but they did so without getting formal permission from the EPA – the first state in history to take such a drastic step.” [St. Petersburg Times, 7/21/00]

CSE Members Praised Bush’s “Courage” In Ending Auto Emissions Tests. According to the St. Petersburg Times, “Ending auto emissions tests will add an estimated 12 tons of pollutants each day to the air over Tampa Bay. State environmental officials said at a public hearing Tuesday that the increase is not enough to violate federal air pollution laws. But officials from the American Lung Association, in written comments submitted during Tuesday’s workshop, disagreed, arguing that even if the DEP projections are on the money, they show ‘Florida is borderline at best.’ In all, about 25 people attended the workshop at the Tampa Port Authority, and 10 spoke. They ranged from representatives of the conservative group Citizens for a Sound Economy, who praised Gov. Bush’s courage in signing the bill, to environmental activists such as Bill Reed of St. Petersburg, who condemned Bush for what he called an ‘immoral’ act.” [St. Petersburg Times, 8/23/00]

St. Petersburg Times: “Ending Auto Emissions Tests Will Add An Estimated 12 Tons Of Pollutants Each Day To The Air Over Tampa Bay.” According to the St. Petersburg Times, “Ending auto emissions tests will add an estimated 12 tons of pollutants each day to the air over Tampa Bay.” [St. Petersburg Times, 8/23/00]

“A Platoon” Of CSE Members Said They Were “Happy To Be Rid” Of Auto Emissions Tests And “Complained About ‘People From Washington’” Trying To Make The State Reinstate Them.. According to the St. Petersburg Times, “Though more than 1,000 people wrote to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to protest ending auto emissions testing in Jacksonville and South Florida, only 40 showed up at a public hearing on the issue Thursday night. […] But a platoon of T-shirt-wearing members of the group Citizens for A Sound Economy said they back the Legislature’s decision and are happy to be rid of the tests. They complained about ‘people from Washington’ trying to make the state resume the tests.” [St. Petersburg Times, 7/21/00]

In 1999, Koch Industries Lobbied U.S. Congress Over Congressional Oversight Of Implementation Of Clean Air Act Standards. . According to documents filed in the Senate Lobbying Disclosure Database, Teresa Gorman with LPI Consulting Inc lobbied the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate on behalf of Koch Industries over Congressional Oversight Clean Air Act Implementation WAAQs Standards and Tier II/low-sulfur fuel regulations at the end of 1999. The documents were filed in February 2000. [Lobbying Disclosure Documents via Senate.gov, 2/11/00]

Slade O’Brien and CSE Successfully Pushed Jeb Bush to Sign Bill That Would Give State More Oversight of Everglades Cleanup Project

Gov. Jeb Bush Signed a CSE-Backed Bill Giving State Regulators Oversight Of The Everglades Project. According to The Associated Press State & Local Wire, “Gov. Jeb Bush signed into law a bill (CS-SB 1672) that will give state environmental regulators greater oversight of projects in the multi-billion-dollar Everglades Restudy project. The restudy is a revised plan for restoration of the Everglades that was developed after environmentalists and some scientists criticized the original one because it would take too long to complete. The oversight legislation was pushed by Citizens for a Sound Economy, a national group that advocates less government and lower taxes, that has criticized the restudy plan as ‘an $ 8 billion blank check.’” [The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 4/30/99]

CSE Started Attacking Plan to Restore The Everglades Days After Bush’s Election, Before Public Hearings Had Even Ended

CSE Criticized The Cost Of A Plan To Restore The Everglades. According to the Miami Herald, “South Florida households could pay an additional $120 a year in property taxes or water bills to restore the Everglades and expand the region’s water supply, leaders of a conservative activist group said Monday. The rough first stab at figuring how much the proposed $7.8 billion restoration project might cost South Florida property owners comes from a study commissioned by Florida Citizens for a Sound Economy. The group also says that higher taxes will cost 2,800 jobs [Miami Herald, 11/10/98]

Palm Beach Post Editorial On CSE: “The Sensible First Draft Of A Plan To Prepare South Florida’s Water System For The Demands Of The Next 50 Years Is Under Attack Before The First Round Of Public Hearings Is Over.” According to the Palm Beach Post, “Predictably, the sensible first draft of a plan to prepare South Florida’s water system for the demands of the next 50 years is under attack before the first round of public hearings is over. On Monday, Florida’s chapter of Citizens for a Sound Economy – one of those business lobby groups with a friendly name – argued that the South Florida Water Management District should have devised a detailed financial plan before holding any hearings. The group released a paid-for poll suggesting that Floridians would sacrifice the environment to assure enough water for urban areas. Today, with the last public hearing set for 7 p.m. at Palm Beach Lakes High School, CSE will bring in a scientist to deliver another infomercial critical of the plan, known officially as the Restudy of the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control Project.” [Palm Beach Post, 11/12/98]

CSE Florida Director Slade O’Brien Said That The Army Corps Of Engineers Had Done “More Environmental Damage… Than Probably Any Company In The United States.”

CSE’s O’Brien Said That The Army Corps Of Engineers Had Done “More Environmental Damage… Than Probably Any Company In The United States.” According to the Palm Beach Post, “But [CSE’s Florida Director Slade] O’Brien said his group doesn’t trust the corps that much. ‘We’ve seen this organization do more environmental damage . . . than probably any company in the United States,’ he said.” [Palm Beach Post, 11/29/98]

Floridian Opposition to CSE’s Everglades Plan

Miami Herald: “The Only Organized Opposition To The Proposal Expressed During The Meetings Rose From Newcomers To Florida: Citizens For A Sound Economy.” According to The Miami Herald, “The only organized opposition to the proposal expressed during the meetings rose from newcomers to Florida: Citizens for a Sound Economy. The 14-year-old national group espouses conservative causes and opposes large government environmental initiatives such as the Everglades restoration and federal efforts to reduce air pollution. Each meeting included its speakers.” [Miami Herald, 11/29/98]

No Reporters Attended The Press Conference Where CSE Presented Their Everglades Report. According to the Palm Beach Post, “The group presented the report at a news conference Nov. 12 in West Palm Beach – a session they videotaped even though no reporters attended. It also dogged the corps with its criticisms at a series of public hearings around South Florida.” [Palm Beach Post, 11/29/98]

Palm Beach Post: Environmentalists Questioned Whether CSE Was Acting As A Front “For Someone Who Wants The Restoration Derailed.” According to the Palm Beach Post, “Still, environmentalists say they’re unsure what to think of the group’s interest in the Everglades: Is it following its usual dislike of big government, or is it fronting for someone who wants the restoration derailed?” [Palm Beach Post, 11/29/98]

Palm Beach Post Editorial Page Editor Randy Schultz: CSE Did “Not Care Whether South Florida Homeowners Of The Future Have Water… Or Whether The State Can Preserve Enough Of Our Fragile Environment To Keep South Florida 2050 From Looking Like One Giant Strip Mall.” According to an opinion by Editorial Page editor Randy Schultz in the Palm Beach Post, “Understand that these two groups do not care whether South Florida homeowners of the future have water, whether their homes flood or whether the state can preserve enough of our fragile environment to keep South Florida 2050 from looking like one giant strip mall. I doubt they have much interest in the small farmer who might lose so much land to condemnation that he has to get out of business.” [Randy Schultz – Palm Beach Post, 12/13/98]

South Florida’s Water Managers Gave Unanimous Support To Plan Opposed by CSE. According to The Miami Herald, “South Florida’s water managers gave unanimous support Wednesday to the Army Corps of Engineers’ plan for replumbing the Everglades, despite the objections of activists worried about the project’s $7.8 billion price and ecological uncertainties.” [Miami Herald, 2/11/99]

Tom Adams, Audubon Society Lobbyist: CSE “Popped Up Out Of Nowhere… Somebody’s Obviously Giving Them Money.” According to The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, “‘They [CSE] pretty much popped up out of nowhere,’ said Tom Adams, the Washington Everglades lobbyist for the National Audubon Society. ‘All of a sudden, they issued a press release condemning the project.’ That was in the fall of 1998. At the time, Adams said he thought to himself, ‘somebody’s obviously giving them money. The question is who. I thought it was the developers.’” [The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, 2/1/00]

CSE Report On The Everglades Was Criticized, Editorials Said It “Violates The Most Fundamental Axiom Of Science”, Was“Non-Science” Without Peer Review And With An “Apparent Failure To Understand Guidelines For System Engineering.”

The Army Corps Of Engineers Said CSE’s Estimation Of The Everglades Cleanup Cost Was “Faulty.” According to the Sun-Sentinel, “One month after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its mammoth 25-year, $ 7.8 billion plan to restore and rework the Everglades, the first organized opposition to the plan has emerged. The Florida branch of Citizens for a Sound Economy, a Washington-based group dedicated to ‘debunking big-government environmentalism,’ and ‘fighting for competition and deregulation’ claims that Floridians are not willing to pay the $ 120 a year per family that they estimate the plan will cost state residents. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the group’s analysis is faulty. ‘It’s premature to be jumping to conclusions about what these numbers will look like,’ said Stuart Appelbaum, chief of the Army Corps’ ecosystem restoration program. ‘It’s going to take the state, the Water Management District and many others to determine how best to finance this.’” [Sun-Sentinel, 11/14/98]

Sun-Sentinel Editorial: The CSE Report On The Everglades “Is Being Quoted As Gospel” By CSE Representatives, But “It Is Anything But.” According to an editorial by the Sun-Sentinel, “The Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) sponsored report, Corps Values and the Everglades by the Hudson Institute, is fundamentally flawed. It is being quoted as gospel in some of the Everglades Restoration Plan public hearings, by CSE representatives.” [Editorial – Sun-Sentinel, 11/23/98]

Sun-Sentinel Editorial: The CSE Report “Violates The Most Fundamental Axiom Of Science” By Attempting To Deny That The Historical Everglades Even Existed Prior To Human Intervention. According to an editorial by the Sun-Sentinel, “However the report violates the most fundamental axiom of science: Existents exist! In denying that there is no historic baseline from which to proceed, thus ‘restoration per se is mission impossible,’ the CSE report denies for the sake of argument, what we all know: (1) When the Everglades was 100 percent intact, the ecosystem worked quite marvelously, with the ‘River of Grass’ providing quality and quantity of water for all species; (2) When the system was reduced significantly, and flow interrupted proportionally, what was marvelous became disaster, and we became Mother Nature’s fools. Then the report then contradicts its own argument by establishing its own existent baseline: 60 percent lost; 40 percent remaining. From what stork did this baseline arrive? The argument has the effect of declaring the historic Everglades never existed.” [Editorial – Sun-Sentinel, 11/23/98]

Sun-Sentinel Editorial: The CSE Report Is “Non-Science” Without Peer Review And With An “Apparent Failure To Understand Guidelines For System Engineering.” According to an editorial by the Sun-Sentinel, “The CSE report is also generally flawed by a lack of visible internal or external peer review; failure of its author to be fully involved in the process for any length of time, much less participation in the science-driven discussions; distance from the state of involvement; and apparent failure to understand guidelines for system engineering and adaptive management measurement applications to ecosystems. Peer reviews prevent non-science.” [Editorial – Sun-Sentinel, 11/23/98]

Sun-Sentinel Editorial: The CSE Report “Suffers Ethically And Morally” By “Failing To Get To A Recommended Solution, Other Than To… Trash The Ecology And Economy Some More.” According to an editorial by the Sun-Sentinel, “Finally, the report suffers ethically and morally, having gone to some detail, by failing to get to a recommended solution, other than to slow down the demonstration plan, and give up on restoration, thus to trash the ecology and economy some more.” [Editorial – Sun-Sentinel, 11/23/98]

Sun-Sentinel Editorial: “The Public Should Not Be Fooled By CSE One-Sidedness. The CSE Solution Would Lead To Anything But A Sound Economy.” According to an editorial by the Sun-Sentinel, “The CSE solution would lead to anything but a sound economy, with more uncontrolled development, for the short-term dollar, and sacrificing the water supply by sacrificing more wetlands. Consider the source and go figure.” [Editorial – Sun-Sentinel, 11/23/98]

Palm Beach Post Editorial Page Editor Randy Schultz: CSE “Bought A Scientist Who Wrongly Said The Restudy Was ‘Full Of Unknowns’ But, Naturally, Offered No Alternative. The Idea Is To Kill The Plan, Not Improve It.” According to an opinion by Editorial Page editor Randy Schultz in the Palm Beach Post, “Previously, another fat-cat group called Citizens for a Sound Economy criticized the restudy. Flush with money from contributors who demand an agenda for their money, the organization bought a scientist who wrongly said the restudy was ‘full of unknowns’ but, naturally, offered no alternative. The idea is to kill the plan, not to improve it.” [Randy Schultz – Palm Beach Post, 12/13/98]

CSE’s Opposition To Everglades Cleanup Was Funded By Sugar Industry

CSE Took Funding From Sugar Industry Then Opposed Everglades Cleanup; Took Money From Tobacco Industry Then Opposed Cigarette Taxes. According to the Sun-Sentinel, “Nationally, the organization [CSE] has earned some skeptics, who say it is not as pure as it bills itself. Citing internal documents, The Washington Post reported that the organization got lots of money from the sugar industry — and asserted that federal Everglades cleanup legislation would be terrible for the Florida economy. It also got tobacco industry money — and opposed cigarette taxes.” [Sun-Sentinel, 7/26/03]

“Florida’s Biggest Sugar Producers… Collectively Donated $700,000 To Citizens For A Sound Economy Between October And December Of 1998.” According to The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, “It wasn’t the developers. It was Florida’s biggest sugar producers, U.S. Sugar Corp., Florida Crystals and the Sugar Cane Growers’ Cooperative of Florida. They collectively donated $700,000 to Citizens for a Sound Economy between October and December of 1998, according to the Washington Post, which reported the information on Saturday based on internal documents the paper had obtained.” [The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, 2/1/00]

CSE Florida Director Slade O’Brien Wrote Op-Ed Attacking Everglades Plan

CSE Florida Director Slade O’Brien Op-Ed: The Plan’s Promise To Provide Water For Consumption “Is The Exact Opposite Of The Truth.” According to an opinion by CSE Florida Director Slade O’Brien in The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, “The Re-Study’s sales pitch that it will provide for the water consumption needs of South Floridians is the exact opposite of the truth. The truth is that the Re-Study jeopardizes the existing water supply that provides for human needs – embargoing the tried and true source of relatively inexpensive and plentiful water – and forcing people to rely on untested, unreliable and exponentially more expensive water sources.” [Slade O’Brien – The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, 1/29/99]

O’Brien: “Citizens For A Sound Economy Has Taken A Leading Role In Exposing The Shortcomings Of The Project And In Educating South Floridians Concerning Its Implications For Them.” According to an opinion by CSE Florida Director Slade O’Brien in The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, “Citizens for a Sound Economy has taken a leading role in exposing the shortcomings of the project and in educating South Floridians concerning its implications for them.” [Slade O’Brien – The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, 1/29/99]

O’Brien: CSE Opposes The Plan “Because Of The Project’s Enormous And Open-Ended Cost To The Taxpayers Of The United States, Of Florida, And Of South Florida In Particular.” According to an opinion by CSE Florida Director Slade O’Brien in The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, “The reason for our opposition is threefold. * First – because of the project’s enormous and open-ended cost to the taxpayers of the United States, of Florida and of South Florida in particular. * Second – because it endangers South Florida’s water supply and even the Army Corps of Engineers admits that its impacts on the environment are unknown at best. * Third – because the overwhelming majority of Floridians who will be directly impacted by it do not support its key provisions.” [Slade O’Brien – The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, 1/29/99]

O’Brien: CSE Opposes The Plan “Because It Endangers South Florida’s Water Supply And Even The Army Corps Of Engineers Admits That Its Impacts On The Environment Are Unknown At Best.” According to an opinion by CSE Florida Director Slade O’Brien in The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, “The reason for our opposition is threefold. * First – because of the project’s enormous and open-ended cost to the taxpayers of the United States, of Florida and of South Florida in particular. * Second – because it endangers South Florida’s water supply and even the Army Corps of Engineers admits that its impacts on the environment are unknown at best. * Third – because the overwhelming majority of Floridians who will be directly impacted by it do not support its key provisions.” [Slade O’Brien – The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, 1/29/99]

O’Brien: CSE Opposes The Plan “Because The Overwhelming Majority Of Floridians Who Will Be Directly Impacted By It Do Not Support Its Key Provisions.” According to an opinion by CSE Florida Director Slade O’Brien in The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, “The reason for our opposition is threefold. * First – because of the project’s enormous and open-ended cost to the taxpayers of the United States, of Florida and of South Florida in particular. * Second – because it endangers South Florida’s water supply and even the Army Corps of Engineers admits that its impacts on the environment are unknown at best. * Third – because the overwhelming majority of Floridians who will be directly impacted by it do not support its key provisions.” [Slade O’Brien – The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, 1/29/99]

O’Brien: “Legislation Has Already Been Passed To Address Many Of The Environmental Challenges The Re-Study Is Intended To Solve.” According to an opinion by CSE Florida Director Slade O’Brien in The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, “Such a position conspicuously ignores the fact that legislation has already been passed to address many of the environmental challenges the Re-Study is intended to solve. The 1989 Everglades National Park Protection and Expansion Act (which includes the Modified Water Deliv-ery Project) and the 1994 Everglades Forever Act include measures intended to increase both the amount and the quality of water flowing into the Everglades. The C-111 Project and the Kissimmee River Restoration Project also show great promise in helping the northern and eastern areas of the Everglades ecosystem, respectively. Here is over a billion dollars worth of work – much of which is already fully funded – that is either being duplicated or held hostage by the Re-Study.” [Slade O’Brien – The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, 1/29/99]

O’Brien: “The Re-Study Takes A Reliable Source Of Inexpensive Water Away From People And Gives It To The Environment.” According to an opinion by CSE Florida Director Slade O’Brien in The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, “The Re-Study does, however, provide two very significant certainties: (1) The Re-study will cost taxpayers at least $ 8 billion. (2) The Re-Study takes a reliable source of inexpensive water away from people and gives it to the environment, forcing people to rely on expensive, untested technology for human water needs.” [Slade O’Brien – The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, 1/29/99]

O’Brien: “History Has Also Shown That The More Our Elected Officials Have Been Involved In The Process, The Better It Has Been For The Everglades.” According to an opinion by CSE Florida Director Slade O’Brien in The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, “What is not certain, is how much – if any – benefit will accrue to the environment. History has shown that the Everglades has fooled us every time; that every time we seek to solve a problem in the Everglades, we’ve created many more as a result. History has also shown that the more our elected officials have been in-volved in the process, the better it has been for the Everglades.” [Slade O’Brien – The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, 1/29/99]

CSE Campaigned In Washington Against The Everglades Restoration Project. According to The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, “A group that blitzed local television with advertisements critical of Republican candidate Joe Negron in last year’s special election to represent parts of Martin County in the state House is weighing in nationally to fight the Everglades Restudy project. Long-time environmental advocates were baffled to see the group, Citizens for a Sound Economy, emerge on the eve of public hearings in Washington on the Everglades restoration plan, issuing heavily critical news releases.” [The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News, 2/1/00]

CSE Backed Jeb Bush’s Education Plan

CSE Sponsored A Campaign Endorsing School Vouchers In Florida. According to Orlando Sentinel, “Former New York congressman Floyd Flake told a group of about 100 parents, educators and business people at the Downtown Marriott he did not think true reform could take place in the public schools until their monopoly on education ends […] Flake’s endorsement of vouchers, which was to be repeated in Tampa on Friday night, was sponsored by Floridians for School Choice and the conservative Citizens for a Sound Economy. The road trip is part of an awareness campaign to make vouchers less ‘scary’ to parents, said Slade O’Brien, executive director of the Florida chapter of Citizens for a Sound Economy. Proposals for a limited voucher program in Florida don’t go far enough, he said, he said. ‘The legislation in Florida is a baby step in time,’ he said, ‘but clearly a step in the right direction.’” [Orlando Sentinel, 3/13/99]

Florida CSE Hosted A Forum Featuring Leading Advocates For School Choice. According to a press release from Florida Citizens for a Sound Economy, “On March 12, Florida Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) will hold an inter-active forum on the educational issue of school choice. The forum will feature leading advocates of school choice including former New York Congressman Rev. Dr. Floyd Flake, T. Willard Fair of the Urban League of Greater Miami, and CSE President Paul Beckner. The meeting is free and open to the public.” [U.S. Newswire, 3/09/99]

Florida CSE Announced Support For Gov. Jeb Bush’s Education Plan “For Increasing Accountability And Competition.” According to a press release from Florida Citizens for a Sound Economy, “Florida Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) today announced its support for key elements of the Bush/Brogan A-plus Education Plan. Slade O’Brien, director of Florida CSE, a grassroots organization represe p8 s [sic] 25,000 Floridians, commended the plan for increasing accountability and competition in our state’s education system. O’Brien spoke in favor of the plan at a joint press conference held by a diverse coalition of groups supporting educa-tion reform.” [U.S. Newswire, 2/23/99]

Florida CSE Director Slade O’Brien: Bush Education Plan Will “Give Those Parents Who Most Need It The Power And Opportunity To Choose Their Child’s School, While Allowing Competition To Create Incentives That Improve School Performance.” According to a press release from Florida Citizens for a Sound Economy, “The Bush/Brogan A-plus Education Plan will give those parents who most need it the power and opportunity to choose their child’s school, while allowing competition to create incentives that improve school performance. At the same time, this plan provides for real rewards and consequences to increase accountability in all of our schools,’ stated [Florida CSE director Slade] O’Brien.” [U.S. Newswire, 2/23/99]

Florida Man Buys State: Koch Impacts in the Sunshine State:
CSE’s Florida Chapter Was Founded 7 Months Before Jeb Bush’s Election; Priorities Were Aligned With Those of Corporate Donors