Bush differs from potential GOP rivals on environment

By Ledyard King, USATODAY

Bush has progressive environmental legacy that's likely to differentiate him from other 2016 contenders.

WASHINGTON — As governor of Florida, Jeb Bush spearheaded the ambitious effort to restore the Florida Everglades, championed efforts to ban oil drilling off the state's coast, and created the Florida Forever program that's spent almost $3 billion buying 700,000 acres of ecologically sensitive land.

Those who want to separate Bush from the rest of the GOP presidential field on policy issues point to his support of Common Core academic standards and immigration reform. But the scion of a Texas oil family also compiled a progressive environmental legacy that's likely to differentiate him from other conservatives contending for the White House.

"Bush has a true track record of advancing environmental programs and defending environmental laws and policies," said Eric Draper, a Democrat who is executive director of Audubon Florida. "And I would hope that if he becomes president, he would continue in that direction, and that he would bring some common sense to the Republican Party."