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Talk of the Bay
Gov. Bush, bond nerd, has a place in his heart for S&P
By JONI JAMES
Published October 9, 2006
As Jeb Bush heads out the door, one group of people have no doubt the two-term governor is leaving Florida in good shape. Standard and Poor's, for the second year in a row, has given Florida a AAA bond rating, the firm's highest, meaning Florida will continue to net some of the lowest possible borrowing rates, saving taxpayers millions on school and road bonds. Bush, whose leadership has seen the state's bond ratings improve at two other rating agencies - Moody's and Fitch - was ecstatic. As the rating was announced Tuesday before the state's Cabinet, he admonished reporters to take notes and stop "reading the sports page back there." He labeled "S&P" his "favorite two-letter word." But Florida bond manager Ben Watkins took his dry subject matter in stride, "This is exciting only to us bond nerds, Governor."
[Last modified October 9, 2006, 07:48:54]
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