Leaving aside the horrific timing, let's keep this gem in mind the next time some Republican babbles incessantly about fiscal austerity and budget tightening:
Shortly before the Deepwater Horizon exploded in the Gulf, the Florida House spent $200,000 for a study of oil drilling off Florida's coast which said any spills would be rare, small and easily contained.
The report by the Willis Group cost $200,000 because it was a “rush job,” according to Jill Chamberlin, spokeswoman for Florida House Speaker Larry Cretul.
So, by my math, the state of Florida could have saved the jobs of 3-4 teachers (or other critical personnel on the state payroll), but instead put those resources into hastening the creation of a report which happened to fall right into line with the political proclivities of Florida's current and incoming Speakers of the House. A report which, conveniently, will give them some ammunition in dealing with the Governor of Florida, who is a recent convert on the subject (among others).
Well, it's good to know that the Florida GOPers running their legislature have their fiscal priorities straight.