Less than a month after Florida Gov. Jeb Bush staunchly denied allegations that he was trying to pack the state courts with judges who share his political ideology, new concerns have been raised by his decision not to reappoint three workers’ compensation judges. A fourth judge, awaiting word on whether he would be re-appointed, has resigned.
Two weeks ago, Bush notified John G. Tomlinson, a 20-year judge of compensation claims from Miami, that he would not be re-appointed. Judge Steven P. Cullen of West Palm Beach, a 12-year veteran, received similar news. Judge Stephen Johnson of Satellite Beach also is out of a job. Judge Howard Scheiner of West Palm Beach, president of the Florida Conference of Judges of Compensation Claims, announced his resignation to Bush in a Nov. 4 letter.
