Scott Says New Company Coming to Florida

In a meeting with the Senate Republican Caucus Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott said he anticipates an announcement in the coming weeks of a corporate relocation to Florida.

Neither Scott nor his spokesperson, Brian Burgess, had further details, but the news certainly can't hurt Scott's goal of creating 700,000 new jobs in seven years.

During the freewheeling informal meeting, Scott touted his executive orders to sell the state's planes and cut down on regulations. He reiterated his focus on jobs and education reform, but also stressed immigration legislation and state pension reform as priorities.

"We've got to deal with tenure to make sure we keep the best teachers," Scott said, adding that merit pay and expanding school choice are also among his education priorities. He did not, however, specifically mention universal vouchers that were recommended by his education transition team.

Scott was received warmly by the senators, who asked the governor about ethics reform, lobbyists for the state agencies and rulemaking.

While Scott lampooned the idea of lobbyists for agencies during the campaign, he stated Tuesday that they will remain, but will not work at cross-purposes.

"It's going to be a coordinated effort. We're not going to be saying something different through one of our agencies," Scott said.

He'll also take a more hands-on approach to economic development, which Scott said will run out of his office. He gave no specifics on the corporate relocation but did note that he met with the Japanese foreign minister on Saturday and with the consuls general for the European Union, Canada and Israel recently.

While some have anticipated the emergence of turf wars between Scott's office and the Legislature, which boasts a veto-proof majority in both houses, there did not appear to be any dissension in the ranks Tuesday. Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, was eager to show his ideological unity with Scott.

"I think we're all inspired by his inauguration speech. I think we're all excited about the fact that he's going to govern as he campaigned," Haridopolos said.

For his part, Scott did not appear threatened by the GOP's legislative might.

"We have supermajorities, which should be helpful. No one's said anything to me that anybody has a different agenda," Scott said.