6/29/06-Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed legislation June 28 that sought to ask voters in Florida counties to decide whether to double the $2 daily surcharge on rental vehicles. The revenue would have been used to help pay for local transportation needs.
S1350 to increase the cost of rental vehicles from $2 to $4 could have raised $150 million statewide for roads, Tallahassee Democrat reported. It won widespread support in the state Legislature.
Speaking about his veto, the governor said the approach allowed for “taxation without representation,” the Orlando Sentinel reported.
“The money is needed,” Bush said. “Transportation issues are needed. But in my eighth year in office, this was not the year I was going to break what I consider a pretty bedrock principle.”

5/11/06-The House and Senate have approved a bill that would authorize counties throughout the state to decide whether to increase from $2 to $4 the daily surcharge on rental vehicles. Revenue would be used for local transportation projects.
The provision to allow counties to hold a referendum to boost the surcharge was added to a bill – S1350 – that would raise the bonding limits for turnpike projects.
House lawmakers voted 103-4 to send the bill back to the Senate for final approval where it passed on a 34-4 vote. It now heads to Gov. Jeb Bush.
For bill status, call (850) 488-4371. In Florida, call 1-800-342-1827.