Scott Focuses on Unemployment in Inaugural Speech

Gov. Rick Scott will tackle Florida's 12 percent unemployment rate as one of his top priorities, and outlined his plans to cut out government interference in the private sector in his inaugural speech Tuesday.

"Only the private sector can provide prosperity. Only the private sector," Scott said.

He decried taxation, regulation and litigation as the "axis of unemployment," evoking former President George W. Bush's controversial "axis of evil" line.

"Left uncorrected, unemployment creates a spiral down into hopelessness. I will not let that happen in Florida," Scott said.

Scott also announced his intention to sign an executive order during his first day in office, creating a state Office of Fiscal Accountability and Regulatory Reform, which will analyzeeach regulation for its impact on job creation.

Despite Florida's looming $3.5 billion deficit, Scott said cutting taxes would be on his administration's wish list.

"The state of Florida raises enough revenue to meet its needs," he said.

Scott acknowledged a role for limited government in providing for the health and safety of citizens and the environment, but noted that Florida needs to look friendlier to businesses.

"We are here to work with job creators and business people, not against them," Scott said.