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As Florida governor, Bush aggressively used executive power

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2000, file photo, then-Florida Gov. Jeb Bush faces reporters at the University of Central Florida, after The Board of Regents approved Bush's "One Florida Initiative" yesterday during a public board meeting. Bush ended Florida’s affirmative action programs in 1999 with a flourish, issuing an executive order that he said would “transcend the tired debate” about racial preferences. Bush was an aggressive chief executive throughout his tenure as Florida governor, pushing the limits of executive authority, bristling at legislative oversight and willing to work around the courts. (AP Photo/Scott Audette, File) FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2000, file photo, then-Florida Gov. Jeb Bush faces reporters at the University of Central Florida, after The Board of Regents approved Bush's "One Florida Initiative" yesterday during a public board meeting. Bush ended Florida’s affirmative action programs in 1999 with a flourish, issuing an executive order that he said would “transcend the tired debate” about racial preferences. Bush was an aggressive chief executive throughout his tenure as Florida governor, pushing the limits of executive authority, bristling at legislative oversight and willing to work around the courts. (AP Photo/Scott Audette, File)

By Associated Press March 23, 2015 1 min read

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – As Jeb Bush draws closer to launching his presidential campaign, he’s aggressively criticizing President Barack Obama’s use of executive power. Last week, he accused Obama of “trampling on the Constitution.”

But Bush himself was an aggressive chief executive throughout his tenure as Florida governor. Democrats and Republicans alike recall him as a chief executive who bristled at legislative oversight and was willing to work around the courts.

Cory Tilley, Bush’s deputy chief of staff during his first term, said “if there was a way to move it along quicker, he would find it.”

Tilley is now a Republican consultant. He also says Bush was unwilling to shy away from his agenda.