Florida Commercial Contractors Endorse Rick Scott for Re-election

Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida Inc. (ABC) on Monday announced the endorsement of Rick Scott to serve a second term as Florida's governor.

"ABC stands for free enterprise, lower taxes, and fiscal responsibility and Rick Scott shares our philosophy," ABC of Florida Chairman Adam McKinnon said in a written statement. We look forward to doing all we can to re-elect Rick Scott the next governor of Florida." ABC has awarded Gov. Scott its Defender of Free Enterprise Award for his commitment to free enterprise.

Orlando-based ABC is Florida's largest merit shop commercial construction trade association. ABC represents more than 1,500 companies, and its members employ more than 100,000 Floridians.

I thank the Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida for their support as we work hard to make Florida the best place in the country to start a business, find a job, raise a family, and live the American dream, Gov. Scott said in his reply. I am confident we will continue to build support in the business community for an agenda that focused on creating jobs, keeping taxes low and jump-starting our economy.

With five Florida chapters, ABC has the largest apprenticeship-training program in the state. It has developed the curriculum for construction workers and partnered with community colleges and vocational education schools to provide training while working full-time .

Mckinnon stated, "Rick Scott is a strong supporter of our efforts to provide training to those individuals who choose not to attend college. We provide an alternative for those students to gain meaningful and marketable skills, which lead to higher paying jobs. Rick Scott recognizes the importance of training for high-skill and high-wage jobs."

ABC is a national trade association representing more than 23,000 contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and professional firms from across the country and from all specialties in the commercial construction industry. It is "committed to developing a safe workplace and a high performing workforce through quality education and training with comprehensive safety and health programs."