After only two weeks in office, Gov. Rick Scott had the greatest share of the spotlight as Florida leaders met in Tallahassee Wednesday to speak at the annual Legislative Planning Session held by the Associated Press. Scott spoke about his economic plans and responded to complaints from the media that his administration is not being open with them.
My whole focus is jobs, said Scott, who made the economy and employment growth the core message of his campaign.
Were competing with 49 other states, insisted Scott, adding that Florida also faced international rivals looking to lure businesses. If were going to grow jobs in the state of Florida, we have to be better than everyone else.
Scott added that the state had to grow jobs in the private sector -- and not add more government employees to the payroll. Reviewing his first two weeks in office, the governor said he was optimistic about what he had seen so far, noting that Vision Airlines was set to add 4,000 jobs in the state with its expansion in Florida. Scott also noted that he met with the foreign minister of Japan and the president of Colombia to build closer economic ties to those nations.
The governor also focused on crafting his administrations proposed budget, which he is set to unveil Feb. 4
Its the most thankless task, said Scott, who estimated the state faces overcoming a $3.5 billion deficit to craft the constitutionally mandated balanced budget.
Were going to have to make some tough choices, he insisted. Thats what I was elected to do.
The new governor called for reining-in state spending. Its too big, he said in regard to state government. We dont need to be spending that much money.
Scott said there were other opportunities facing Florida, including the expansion of the Panama Canal, which is expected to dramatically impact trade opportunities for states along the Atlantic and the Gulf. He said he will continue to look at offshore drilling, provided it is safe.
Scott rejected repeated press complaints that his administration is not open to them, though he did note that he rarely follows what the media writes or says and did not meet with editorial boards during the gubernatorial campaign because he thought -- correctly, as it turned out -- that they would overwhelmingly back his opponent, then-CFO Alex Sink, the Democratic nominee.
Im going to do everything I can to make myself as accessible as possible, vowed Scott.
He also touched on other issues, noting that he has not changed his position on increased casino gambling in the state and he still believes that traditionally married couples remain best suited to adopt children.
But while other issues were raised, Scott focused on the economy, repeating the promise he made during the campaign to push for 700,000 new jobs in the next seven years. This state is open for business and, as governor, I am going to do all that I can, he said.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
