Speech Preview: Rick Scott Stands Firm on $1 Billion Raise for Education

Gov. Rick Scott will sound a cooperative note Tuesday when he delivers his State of the State address to lawmakers at the Capitol.

Advance excerpts of Scott's speech obtained by Sunshine State News convey how the Republican governor is partnering with job creators, listening to parents and teachers, and working with legislators as he enters his second year in office.

Reporting on accomplishments in the past year, Scott will declare, Floridians, not government, created almost 135,000 new private sector jobs. We netted more than 120,000 total jobs in the first 11 months of 2011; the third most of any state in the nation.

The text goes on to state:

Also deserving credit are you, the legislators in this room. Last year, you passed and I signed a budget we balanced without raising taxes or fees despite a revenue shortfall of nearly $4 billion. We did this by making government lean and effective. ...

After traveling the state and listening to parents, teachers and our students, I heard one thing very clearly, over and over. Floridians truly believe that support for education is the most significant thing we can do to ensure both short-term job growth and long-term economic prosperity ...

Thats why this session I ask you to continue your commitment to education ... My recommended budget includes $1 billion in new state funding for education

I ask you to please consider that recommendation very carefully. On this point, I just cannot budge.