Politicians from across Florida responded to President Barack Obamas State of the Union address on Tuesday, dividing on party lines over how they reacted to his proposals.
Having first risen in politics by opposing Obamas federal health-care law, Gov. Rick Scott continued to oppose him.
The State of the Union presents an opportunity for President Obama to promote a vision for Americas future that empowers small businesses and families while curtailing the size and scope of government, Scott said on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the president has chosen a different path, and while some people learn from their mistakes, you cant say that about President Obama who is doubling down on his big government agenda
Scott contrasted his record in Tallahassee with Obamas in Washington and promoted his call earlier on Tuesday to reduce cellphone and TV service taxes in the Sunshine State.
At the very moment when economic progress in the states is starting to produce nationwide results, President Obama has decided to expand tax-and-spend programs on the backs of hard-working Americans, Scott insisted. The massive tax increases proposed by the president reflect his commitment to the failed, liberal policies that were roundly rebuked by the American people in November. But the presidents way is not the only way. One need look no further than Florida for an example of conservative, anti-tax, free-market policies at work, and the results speak for themselves.
"Weve cut taxes 40 times in the last four years and will cut another $1 billion in taxes over the next two. This year, our plan is to cut $470 million in state cellphone and TV taxes, saving every Florida family around $40 a year for spending as little as $100 a month between cellphone, cable and satellite bills. As weve stayed committed to cutting taxes in Florida, the free market has responded. In less than four years, Florida businesses have created 715,000 private-sector jobs, every one of which means a better future for a Florida family.
Scott wasnt alone in attacking Obamas handling of the economy. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a possible Republican presidential contender in 2016, took off the gloves and went after Obama after the address.
President Obama tonight bragged about how the economy is doing better, Rubio said. But too many people are not experiencing it because theyre stuck between low wages and a high cost of living. To lift more Americans into the middle class, we need to move forward with a 21st century agenda that ensures an equality of opportunity, not one that doubles down on outdated proposals to tax and spend more. Theres no bigger priority for me than helping all of our people achieve the American dream, and the only way thats going to happen is by working together to bring our innovation economy, higher education system, retirement policies, safety net programs and national defense into the 21st century.
The American people are long overdue to have a president stand before Congress and the nation and acknowledge reality: that the 20th century is gone, Rubio added. That taxing successful people, overregulating job creators and pouring more money into outdated government programs doesnt actually help struggling people achieve the 21st century American dream. That saying wars are over isnt enough to keep us safe. That whether it be on the battlefield, in cyberspace or at the negotiating table, we need a strong and engaged America that stands up for our values and is ready to defeat those who threaten our way of life. And that implementing new immigration policies that havent even been passed into law only makes lasting reform more elusive.
Rubio did offer a few suggestions for Obama in his final two years in the White House.
Instead of trying to manipulate our tax code to punish success, President Obama should work with Congress to fundamentally reform our tax code in ways that will grow our entire economy and provide relief to all families, Rubio said. Instead of rewarding repressive, anti-American regimes like Cuba and Iran with undeserved concessions that legitimize and enrich them, he should condition normalized relations on real, irreversible results that protect U.S. national security interests, safeguard human rights and ensure greater political freedoms.
Now part of the minority in the Senate, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., praised Obamas good ideas but sounded a pessimistic note about their chances of going through now that the Republicans control both chambers of Congress.
"If history repeats itself, were going to have trouble getting things done because youre going to get into this partisan warfare that the Republicans are going to reject some of the good ideas that the president offered, Nelson said after the speech. But my job is to try to find that bipartisan sweet spot so we can get things done around here.
Members of the Florida delegation in the U.S. House also broke on party lines. U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho bashed Obamas past policies and told the White House things will be different in the next two years with the GOP controlling Congress.
It is no secret that the hard-working people of this country make up the backbone of our economy. It is essential that we strengthen, with every possible vote, the middle class in America, Yoho said. The administration over the years has focused on outdated, top-down approaches to solving our problems. I plan to do all I can to create a new government that is bottom-up and responsive not only to the people I represent but to all Americans.
With Republicans firmly in control of the House and Senate, this new Congress is ready to lead, Yoho added. For the first time during the presidents tenure in the Oval Office, he will be working with a Congress that is solely under Republican control. The American people sent a clear message last November to Washington and his administration. It is my hope that President Obama takes the people's will into account and does not adhere to a go-it-alone approach but actively engages Republicans to create a better America. I welcome him to meet us at the table and I am ready to get to work.
But Democrats remain behind the White House, with U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., praising Obamas inspiring plan that puts the foundation of this country first -- working families.
At this critical time, with an improving economy and increased job growth, the stage is set for real change for our nation. We must do our part to restore the ability for American families to own their own homes, secure well-paying jobs, and pay taxes, Wilson said after the speech, before going on to offer Obama more praise.
The president has made remarkable progress over the last six years reviving a struggling economy, including 58 consecutive months of private-sector job growth, Wilson added. As a founding member of the Congressional Full Employment Caucus, I have advocated for comprehensive, bipartisan solutions to the jobs crisis, and the presidents plan will further expand opportunity for all Americans. I call on my colleagues in Congress to join me and the president in making jobs the priority of this Congress.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
