ZOOM JIM MATTHEWS/The Gainesville Sun Gov. Jeb Bush chats with Patty Wood- Williams, a Live Oak Realtor, during a visit to Mayo on Friday.

AYO - Gov. Jeb Bush said Friday he will seek $71 million in new funding to help officials in rural counties build schools, improve libraries, fund cultural projects, expand recycling programs and strengthen other services.

Standing outside the Lafayette County Courthouse, Bush said he plans to include a total of $171 million for small counties in the budget proposal he will release next month.

Bush called the proposed funding increase a "question of equity and fairness," citing the disparity between "counties in the state where the tax rolls are growing by double digits and others where county governments and local governments can't provide some of the basics."

The funding would be flexible, allowing county officials to use the money where it is needed, the governor said.

"We're going to focus more on what the needs of the local communities are, rather than telling them how to do it," Bush said.

Although the majority of state legislators come from larger counties in urban areas, the governor said he expected support for the plan, which he said would be funded in part by new money.

Rep. Don Brown, R-DeFuniak Springs, said Bush's initiative will help cash-strapped rural counties.

"I don't like taxes, but I know when people need help and small counties need help," said Brown, who represents four rural counties in the Florida Panhandle.

State Sen. Rod Smith, D-Alachua, and state Rep. Ed Jennings, D-Gainesville, could not be reached for comment.

Bush also held office hours at the courthouse Friday morning, where visitors included death penalty opponents and a bishop asking for clemency for 16-year-old Lionel Tate, who was convicted of killing a young girl when he was 12. The governor would not let reporters attend either meeting.

"The governor listened," said Abe Bonowitz, director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. " 'We respectfully disagree' was a common phrase."

Bonowitz said he did not expect Bush "to turn around and say 'I'm an abolitionist' as a result of the meeting, but asked that the governor view a videotape he provided of a former warden discussing the effect of executions on prison employees. During the meeting, which Bonowitz taped and played for reporters, Bush said he would watch the video.

"I know I'm a backdrop for people's advocacy of their views," the governor said afterward.

Bishop Thomas Masters, of New Macedonia Church in Riviera Beach, said Bush told him there was nothing he could do about clemency for Tate. Masters also discussed with Bush an overhaul of the state's juvenile justice system.

"I think the governor understands we still need a lot more improvement," he said, "particularly in the areas of prevention, diversion and treatment."

About 45 people, including citizens bearing gifts of hats and prayers, spoke with Bush during office hours. It was the second session held in the state this year.

Carolyn Land, a member of the Lafayette County school board, came to office hours to discuss the state's class size reduction measure and water diversion issues that could affect the Suwannee River.

"I appreciate them taking the time to come to a county our size," Land said. "It's good for them to come see the challenges we have as a small county."

Rachel Kipp can be reached at 374-5086 or kippr@gvillesun.com.