Rick Scott Behind Paula Dockery's and Kevin Ambler's Push for Arizona-Style Immigration Law

Gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott came out on Wednesday behind efforts led by Rep. Kevin Ambler, R-Tampa, and Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, to push Arizona-style immigration in Florida in the special session next week.

I urge legislative leaders to include immigration reform in the special session, said Scott, who is battling Attorney General Bill McCollum for the Republican nomination. Floridians overwhelmingly support an Arizona-style immigration law and it is just common sense.

The federal government has failed to do its job for far too long and the Obama administration has no intention of doing anything about it, so the states have to take matters into their own hands, said Scott. We have an illegal immigration problem in Florida and as governor I will pursue common-sense measures to fix the problem, like requiring employers to utilize the free E-Verify system.

Dockery had been running for the Republican nomination but pulled out of the race in May. From the pivotal Interstate 4 corridor, Dockery is the subject of increasing speculation that she could end up as lieutenant governor for whoever emerges as the Republican nominee.