Government

Why Scott the Businessman Energizes as Scott the Governor

Outsider rankles government insiders, but corporate approach gains support

By: Kenric Ward | Posted: February 28, 2011 3:55 AM

Around the State

Governor Rick Scott | Credit: Stacy Ferris

Rick Scott is governing Florida like a business -- and that's made the former health-care CEO the bete noir of pro-labor progressives and union-loving Democrats.

But Scott's agenda is just what the voters ordered to revive an ailing economy, say corporate leaders and grass-roots conservatives.

Whether Scott turns out to be a vulture capitalist or Florida's financial savior remains to be seen. But after less than two months in office, he leaves little room for ambivalence.

Like fellow freshman governors Scott Walker in Wisconsin and John Kasich in Ohio, Scott has quickly instigated a showdown with public employees and their unions. Unlike those Midwestern politicians, Scott brought an extensive business portfolio -- and he's using his experience to restructure government.

"There's been a confluence of factors that make Governor Scott so different from anything we've seen in America since the election of Michael Bloomberg in New York City -- an individual who can govern without the distractions of special interests and the influence of money in the system," said Tom Lee, a real-estate developer and former Florida Senate president.

Starting with $5 billion in proposed budget cuts, Scott quickly asserted that state government could make do with less. His plan to reform the state pension program and require workers to contribute to their retirement is patterned after policies long-established in the private sector.

Stanching the hemorrhage at Medicaid, Scott brings firsthand expertise to the arcane operation of that indigent-care program which, at more than $16 billion, is the state's second biggest budget line after K-12 education.

Tim Stapleton, executive vice president of the Florida Medical Association, applauded Scott's "unique insight on how to streamline government programs and services and realize greater efficiencies."

Stapleton added that the FMA "looks forward to continuing to work with the governor and his staff on Medicaid and tort reform to make Florida a better place for physicians to practice medicine and create new jobs, and for patients to receive care.”

As for Obamacare, Scott didn't convene a working group to decide what to do when a federal judge ruled the law unconstitutional. The governor simply announced that the state would not waste "time and money" on implementing it.

Scott's common-sense approach mirrors the no-nonsense style of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Where Christie pulled the plug on the $8 billion trans-Hudson tunnel, Scott derailed the proposed Tampa-Orlando high-speed train venture before it got started. Both governors took political heat for halting hugely expensive public-works projects, but each explained that their intervention was needed to avert massive financial liability.

DISCOMBOBULATING THE OPPOSITION

To Florida taxpayers who continue to cinch up their belts in a slumping economy, Scott is viewed as a courageous change agent determined to shake up Tallahassee. His speeches may lack political polish, but his words resonate with voters who have become increasingly suspicious of glib politicians who lack real-world experience.

The outsider's rise to power is maddening to those who see government as somehow morally and ethically superior to the world of business. Democratic critics have likened his election to a hostile takeover of Florida.

Though Scott defeated Alex Sink by barely 2 percentage points, his business-minded approach to policy and his soft-spoken demeanor discombobulate the opposition. Even his personal wealth appeals to Joe Six Pack when the governor sells off the state planes and opts for his personal jet instead (his failure to see the sale from Sen. J.D. Alexander's perspective notwithstanding).

Comments (5)

peanut

2:56AM MAR 1ST 2011

Times magazine describes him as Mark Sanford without the sex. Unlike any businessman I would work for. Totally irratic. Even kings talk things over with their ministers. Scott thinks he is God.

C. Everett Fitzhume

5:41PM FEB 28TH 2011

The issue here is that middle class workers (public employees included) did not create America's financial collapse, corporate executives did. Rick Scott being hailed as a 'leader' is a joke ... REMEMBER, Rick Scott was a health-care CEO of a company that committed Medicare fraud while under his command (That means he was stealing our tax dollars). CEO's are paid extravagant, ridiculous salaries (even while the corporations they ruin are laying off middle class workers). If CEO's were paid living wages, the massive excess cash that would be saved could be used to pay middle class workers a fair wage, benefits and a pension (rather than a 401-K that Wall Street types will steal most of the profits from in the form of 'investment fees and bonuses). No middle class worker (union or not) should feel comfortable having CEO's and other mega wealthy types representing them in elected office. These people are completely out of touch with the middle class and have absolutely no regard for us what so ever. Many of them are corporate felons who use their big money (political ties) to avoid prosecution. Most also use tax loopholes and offshore corporations to avoid paying taxes (Isn't that correct Mr. Buchanan???).

John

6:20PM FEB 28TH 2011

It continues to amaze me that people like Mr. Fitzhume want to reflect on a business model that was changed by the Clinton administration to make Governor Scott look like he was trying to commit fraud. Unfortunately the argument just doesn't stick. What does stick is the truth that too many democratic officials in power today ARE tax evaders and Mr. Fitzhume most likely thinks it's just fine. The list is too long.

Now let's focus on the budget cuts. I don't agree that we need to pay civil employees high wages, with great benefit packages and early retirement. I work too hard to listen to the sob stories coming out of government workers mouths. If you don't like what we the voters have to say, GET ANOTHER JOB. People like me and my friends who work every day and don't have great retirement programs paid for by the sweat of the real working people are tired of the bull. Government workers need to pay for their insurance, they need to get reasonable pay, and they can retire at 65 like the rest of us. To think that you are entitled to work 20 - 25 years and retire at 45 so we can pay you for the next 50 years is ridicules. To think you get to retire and then go after a 2nd pension in government paid for by the hard working people of this country is criminal. If you think the work is too hard for the money, go look for a job. I wouldn't hire another government employee because they tend to be lazy and complainers. Get out there with the real people and live off the land, but get the heck out of my pocket and go to work, and if you don't like it, go find another job. You are not entitled...

C. Everett Fitzhume

11:11PM FEB 28TH 2011

'John': Your CEO / GOP talking points are extremely misleading at best and total lies at worst. First off, people who worked for CEO Scott went to prison for Medicare fraud under his watch while he pled the fifth. next: this may shock you, but civil employees are tax payers, so if we are to follow the GOP's way of thinking then civil employees are paying their own salaries. Civil employees are voters as well as citizens and have every right to have their opinions heard. Police Officers and Firefighters in particular are afforded the 20 year retirement due to the high incidence of injury and illness that is common in these lines of work. Do you really want a 60 year old cop rolling around in the street with a 21 year old criminal or a 60 year old firefighter dragging you out of a window and carrying you down a ladder? Both of these occupations are difficult for young people who are in perfect shape. Public employees provide vital services. These people have every right to a living wage and a pension. BTW, check out Republican Congressman Vern Buchanan's background if you want to see an elected official who uses offshore businesses to avoid paying taxes in America (the country he represents as a lawmaker).

peanut

3:03AM MAR 1ST 2011

Scott does not even seem to know that we have a water problem in this state. And now the fires are starting. He wants to raise electric bills, cut our incomes, cut our schools, cut the water management offices. Children and adults will die under his Medicaid bills just like they died at his hospitals.