TALLAHASSEE -- A long-shot effort by business groups to get a bullet train measure off next month's Florida ballot was thrown out Tuesday by the state Supreme Court.

The action was the second time in less than a week that the justices refused to disqualify the proposed constitutional amendment.

Three weeks ago the court allowed the measure on the ballot, concluding that it deals with a single subject and is fairly explained.

The proposal, if approved by voters, would order state government to begin construction by November 2003 of a high-speed railway linking Florida's five largest urban areas. Its author is retired Lakeland businessman C.C. "Doc" Dockery, who funded a petition drive that collected more than half a million signatures in support.

The business groups, led by Associated Industries of Florida, contended that the measure leaves too many unanswered questions on how to set up the rail system.

Cut in guards' overtime ordered; union complains

TALLAHASSEE -- State prison officials are telling wardens to slash overtime pay to their staffs for fear of using up their overtime budget long before the end of the fiscal year.

The Department of Corrections insists the order won't endanger anyone by creating staffing shortages. But an official with the union representing correctional officers on Tuesday called it an "accident waiting to happen."

"The Florida Police Benevolent Association, and the officers it represents, see this as a serious safety problem," said the PBA's correctional officer chapter president James Baiardi.

DOC officials deny that anyone's safety will be compromised but acknowledge that overtime pay has become a critical problem.

Richard Dugger, DOC director of institutions, said the Legislature this year allotted the DOC $5.8-million for overtime. Less than four months into the fiscal year, the department has spent $2.7-million, Dugger said.

Four more girls accuse gym coach of molesting

BRADENTON -- Four more girls have accused a gymnastics teacher of sexual contact, bringing to seven the number of alleged underage victims of Jeffrey Richards, authorities said.

Richards, 38, was charged Monday with the additional counts of sexual abuse of children under age 16 while he was an instructor at Culbertson Gymnastique. He was being held at the Manatee County Jail on more than $1.3-million bond.

All the girls were in their early teens when they allegedly were molested, said Manatee County Sheriff's spokesman Dave Bristow. The father of two of the girls works in a court-related profession, prompting a judge to disqualify himself. Chief Judge Thomas Gallen issued an order disqualifying all judges in the 12th Judicial Circuit, which includes Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.

State not buying schools' poverty pleas on bonuses

TALLAHASSEE -- Some local school administrators say they can't afford to give teachers the bonuses promised by state lawmakers last spring.

But state education officials say the districts had better hand over the money, or else.

The bonus money, which districts have already received from the state, is supposed to go to outstanding teachers at the worst schools, those graded D and F on an A-through-F scale.

Some districts complain they don't have the money, which state law says must be between $1,000 and $3,500 per teacher.

Too bad, said state officials.

"The state provides payments to the districts throughout the year, so it could be deducted from that," said Karen Chandler, spokeswoman for Education Commissioner Tom Gallagher.

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Lucy Morgan

From the Times state desk