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Fact check: What former Florida Governor Jeb Bush said at the GOP Lincoln Dinner

Claim: “In Florida, we cut taxes every year, totaling 18 billion dollars.” What you should know: That’s one of several numbers out there. The ...

Claim: "In Florida, we cut taxes every year, totaling 18 billion dollars."

What you should know: That's one of several numbers out there. The website Right to Rise, Jeb Bush's PAC, claims he cut nearly $20 billion in taxes as Florida Governor.

According to The Maine Heritage Policy Center, Governor Bush is credited with cutting taxes every year he was in office, totaling $19 billion.

Martin Sullivan, Chief Economist for Tax Analysts, estimates the cuts totaled $13 billion. Sullivan's estimate does not include cuts in Florida estate taxes brought about changes in federal legislation in 2003. He says that might explain the difference between the two estimates.

Claim: "Reduced state government by 13,000 people, more than ten percent of the workforce."

What you should know: The Maine Heritage Policy Center backs up that 13,000 number, but finds there was a 6.6% reduction of the 210,209 state employees employed in 1999.
Claim: "We were the only state in those eight years to go from AA to AAA."

What you should know: During his time as Governor Standard and Poors Ratings for the State of Florida went from AA+ to AAA and it was the only state at that time to do so.

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