Politics
Florida's Political Leaders Respond to Rick Scott's State of the State Address
Reactions to governor's address break down on party lines
Around the State
Leaders across Florida weighed in on Gov. Rick Scott’s first State of the State address, a message in which the governor focused on job creation and advocated for his proposed budget.
Responses to the address broke down on partisan lines, with Scott’s fellow Republicans praising the speech and Scott’s record during his first weeks in office, and Democrats assailing them.
“I share the governor’s vision to reduce unemployment and grow our economy by creating jobs,” said Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Adam Putnam. “I look forward to working with the governor, the members of the Cabinet and the Legislature to accomplish this goal.
“I’m focused on fostering an environment in which businesses can grow and thrive in Florida,” added Putnam. “I believe we should invest in higher education, research and grants that will enable Floridians to create, innovate and, ultimately, generate more jobs across our great state.”
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Dave Bitner had this to say: “I commend Governor Scott on his first successful State of the State address. ... He reiterated that he is committed to keeping the promises he made to the voters while on the campaign trail. He clearly communicated to the people of Florida that he is willing to make the tough decisions to ensure our state enjoys a prosperous future. The Governor’s message of fiscal restraint and job creation showed that he is focused on doing what is right for Florida and getting people back to work.”
Said Senate President Mike Haridopolos, "I make the analogy that it's like pruning a tree. If you make cutbacks, the tree will grow. Because our goal is to grow jobs, not the government."
Asked if Scott will get everything he wants in the end, Haridopolos replied, "It's a give-and-take process and he recognizes that. And I think he's a very strong team player. He made some very good recommendations and we're going to come together as a team. Speaker (Dean) Cannon's remarks and mine today were very similar to the governor's."
Asked what part of the speech made the biggest impression on him, the Senate president said, "I think just the message that the government is on their side for a change. And again, it's so impressive that a person who campaigns as a conservative is going to govern as a conservative. And we're going to do the same thing."
The House Republican leadership -- Speaker Cannon of Winter Park and Majority Leader Carlos Lopez-Cantera of Miami -- also had kind words for Scott’s address.
“Last year, Governor Scott’s commitment to bold, decisive action inspired countless Floridians on the campaign trail,” said Cannon. “As our governor, he has successfully converted his energy, enthusiasm and dedication into a meaningful plan for empowering private-sector job creation in our state.
“I share Governor Scott’s commitment to making the tough policy decisions that will benefit our state in the long-term, rather than settling for a knee-jerk Washington approach that tries to put off short-term problems regardless of negative long-term consequences,” continued Cannon. “I look forward to working with the governor on the many issues which he has advocated which require legislative approval or oversight. I am confident that we can work together to refine the best ideas that come from each chamber and the governor’s office.”
“Governor Scott delivered a message today that resonates with all Floridians -- the need for responsible governing,” said Lopez-Cantera. “I, like Governor Scott, believe that Florida should not rely on handouts from the federal government or participate in the reckless spending practices that have become so commonplace in Washington, D.C.
“The governor highlighted the need for a fiscally responsible government that eliminates wasteful spending, curbs the growth of entitlement programs, and restores jobs to Floridians,“ continued Lopez-Cantera. “Although addressing these difficult issues may not be easy, it is necessary to ensure the future economic prosperity of our state and our state’s citizens. I look forward to working with him this session.”
Responses to the address broke down on partisan lines, with Scott’s fellow Republicans praising the speech and Scott’s record during his first weeks in office, and Democrats assailing them.
“I share the governor’s vision to reduce unemployment and grow our economy by creating jobs,” said Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Adam Putnam. “I look forward to working with the governor, the members of the Cabinet and the Legislature to accomplish this goal.
“I’m focused on fostering an environment in which businesses can grow and thrive in Florida,” added Putnam. “I believe we should invest in higher education, research and grants that will enable Floridians to create, innovate and, ultimately, generate more jobs across our great state.”
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Dave Bitner had this to say: “I commend Governor Scott on his first successful State of the State address. ... He reiterated that he is committed to keeping the promises he made to the voters while on the campaign trail. He clearly communicated to the people of Florida that he is willing to make the tough decisions to ensure our state enjoys a prosperous future. The Governor’s message of fiscal restraint and job creation showed that he is focused on doing what is right for Florida and getting people back to work.”
Said Senate President Mike Haridopolos, "I make the analogy that it's like pruning a tree. If you make cutbacks, the tree will grow. Because our goal is to grow jobs, not the government."
Asked if Scott will get everything he wants in the end, Haridopolos replied, "It's a give-and-take process and he recognizes that. And I think he's a very strong team player. He made some very good recommendations and we're going to come together as a team. Speaker (Dean) Cannon's remarks and mine today were very similar to the governor's."
Asked what part of the speech made the biggest impression on him, the Senate president said, "I think just the message that the government is on their side for a change. And again, it's so impressive that a person who campaigns as a conservative is going to govern as a conservative. And we're going to do the same thing."
The House Republican leadership -- Speaker Cannon of Winter Park and Majority Leader Carlos Lopez-Cantera of Miami -- also had kind words for Scott’s address.
“Last year, Governor Scott’s commitment to bold, decisive action inspired countless Floridians on the campaign trail,” said Cannon. “As our governor, he has successfully converted his energy, enthusiasm and dedication into a meaningful plan for empowering private-sector job creation in our state.
“I share Governor Scott’s commitment to making the tough policy decisions that will benefit our state in the long-term, rather than settling for a knee-jerk Washington approach that tries to put off short-term problems regardless of negative long-term consequences,” continued Cannon. “I look forward to working with the governor on the many issues which he has advocated which require legislative approval or oversight. I am confident that we can work together to refine the best ideas that come from each chamber and the governor’s office.”
“Governor Scott delivered a message today that resonates with all Floridians -- the need for responsible governing,” said Lopez-Cantera. “I, like Governor Scott, believe that Florida should not rely on handouts from the federal government or participate in the reckless spending practices that have become so commonplace in Washington, D.C.
“The governor highlighted the need for a fiscally responsible government that eliminates wasteful spending, curbs the growth of entitlement programs, and restores jobs to Floridians,“ continued Lopez-Cantera. “Although addressing these difficult issues may not be easy, it is necessary to ensure the future economic prosperity of our state and our state’s citizens. I look forward to working with him this session.”
Comments (1)
I agree w/Gov. Scott that curbing entitlements is long overdue. ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION is the biggest entitlement in FL costing taxpayers @ 3 billion/year (2009 FAIRUS.org est) and that cost is rising each day. Gov. Scott supports E-VERIFY and kudos to him for passing E-VERIFY for state employees. But he must do more, and champion E-VERIFY for all businesses in FL. In doing this, Gov. Scott can "create"700,000 thousand jobs threby getting back those jobs for Floridians that the illegals stole from us.
It's time for Gov. Scott and legislators to speak out against the biggest travesty laid on Florida residents - illegal immigration. ONE BILL - E-VERIFY,
to cut billions from FL's state expenses, to level playing field for ALL businesses in FL, to give thousands of jobs back to Floridians, and to be the model for government with courage and integrity,which uses Floridian's tax money in THEIR best interests.
Self-righteous legislators need to ask themselves 2 questions this session: Why are they supporting illegal aliens with Floridians tax money, since there is a fed. law against supporting illegal aliens, and 2. whose side are you on anyway - Do you want to give jobs to illegal aliens or do you want to give job to legal workers in Florida - just some food for thought while some legislators are "lovingly" working with Gov. Scott for the next couple of months.
Lastly, gotta say it, legislators' goal in passing bills must always be to uphold the law and laissez-faire. Legislators who don't believe in Capitalism should find another job outside of America (and Florida).