Rick Scott Calls for 19 Percent Cut in Property Taxes

On Monday, the campaign team of Republican gubernatorial Rick Scott, unveiled its candidates plan on taxes and insurance.

Today, I want to talk about taxes and insurance -- two very important issues that must be addressed in order to put Floridians back to work and turn around our housing crisis, said Scott at a town hall event in Miami.

Scott used the event to take a shot at his Democratic rival, state CFO Alex Sink.

Politicians in Tallahassee, like my opponent Alex Sink, had an opportunity over the last four years to reduce property taxes and insurance, but instead made the problem worse, he said. As an outsider who is not entrenched in the status quo or beholden to special interests, I have a plan that will lower property taxes for all homeowners in Florida who desperately need some tax relief, eliminate the business tax and address the insurance crisis.

Scott focused on property taxes -- and called for a major tax cut.

Florida is also in the top three states nationally in mortgage foreclosures and our economy has been crushed by housing price declines, added Scott. Forty-four percent of our homes are underwater and property tax revenues have been growing faster than personal incomes. I will cut the state portion of property taxes by 19 percent for all homeowners in Florida helping to make their homes affordable again.

Scott added that revenue would be made up by his jobs plan. Scott also pledged to reform tort law in Florida.