Gov. Charlie Crist said he isn't quite ready to hand Florida's reins over to his successor. Nevertheless, he and Gov.-elect Rick Scott engaged in their first conversation Tuesday in an effort to smooth the transition between the two administrations.
Were trying to do the very best we can to have a smooth transition, Crist said during a press conference at the Capitol.
The press conference marked the first time Scott has been to the state capital since his election victory last week. He said he got some good advice from Crist.
I asked him, What is your best advice? and he told me, Follow your heart, Scott said.
Crists heart is leading him to fill some judicial vacancies in his time left as a lame-duck governor after losing out on his independent U.S. Senate bid to Republican Marco Rubio. There are currently 10 vacancies to fill, including five circuit court positions, and there is speculation Crist could fill them with less-than-conservative judges.
Im going to make those appointments with all due speed, Crist said.
Scott ran on a platform of trimming government spending, starting with state employees. He has headquartered his transition team in Fort Lauderdale instead of Tallahassee, leading some to speculate there will be much staff turnover during the switch in administrations. But Scott tempered his tone Tuesday and indicated some Crist staffers could yet stay on.
I know there are a lot of good people doing good work up here. Im trying to have a great team, Scott said.
Scott also met Tuesday with incoming Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, and shrugged off notions that he is concerned about the special session called by Cannon and incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island. The legislative leaders, buoyed by supermajorities in both houses, called the session in order to override 10 Crist vetoes. One of those bills would move oversight of the Department of Management Services from the governor to the Cabinet.
I dont think anybodys trying to go after my power, Scott said of the bill.
The governor-elect also stated that his No. 1 priority is creating jobs and boosting Floridas economy. A bill resembling the Arizona law increasing law enforcement officers ability to detain illegal immigrants is not on Scotts wish list for the special session, even though it was one of the main issues during his battle for the Republican primary with Attorney General Bill McCollum.
Im not suggesting to have anything on this special session, Scott said.
The special session is scheduled for Nov. 16 after the newly-elected legislators are sworn in.
Scott will be sworn in Jan. 4, 2011.
Reach Gray Rohrer at grohrer@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
