The governor started his Lets Keep Florida Beautiful tour on Monday, pointing toward his plan to send $500 million for alternative waters, $500 million for springs and his efforts for the Everglades. Scott is also calling for the state Department of Environmental Protection to increase fines on polluters.
Scott continued that tour on Thursday, visiting Jacksonville to showcase his environmental agenda.
Floridas natural beauty is a big reason why this is the best state in the country to call home, Scott said. Our natural resources are the foundation of our economy they drive tourism, housing, business, and agriculture and they deserve our long-term commitment. Weve made record investments in Floridas environment, but theres more work to be done. With a $1 billion investment in Floridas waters, an ongoing commitment to the Everglades, and tougher penalties for bad actors, well ensure that Floridas treasures are protected for generations to come.
But Scott drew fire from the left on the environment on Thursday as liberal PAC American Bridge launched a new Web video.
Rick Scott is traversing the state this week, attempting to convince Floridians that his sudden interest in environmental protection is something more than election-year pandering. It won't work, insisted Jesse Lehrich of American Bridge on Thursday. As rising sea levels associated with climate change pose a greater and greater threat to the Florida coastline, Rick Scott has only doubled and tripled down on his I'm not a scientist buffoonery. But you don't have to be a scientist to listen to scientific consensus. And you certainly don't need a science-believing governor to suffer from increased flooding in your hometown.
Rick Scott has had four years as governor, Lehrich added. He's repeatedly shown that he's more concerned with protecting special interests than protecting the environment.
But Scotts team pushed back at their leading Democratic rival on Thursday on the environment. The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) unveiled a new Web video on Thursday, hitting former Gov. Charlie Crist on the environment. Despite having spent most of his political life in the GOP, Crist is the favorite to win the Democratic primary later this month and win his new partys nomination to challenge Scott in November. The ad showcases Crist relying on a private jet to get around the state.
Charlie Crist is so desperate for his old job back he often pontificates about his love for Floridas environment, but crisscrosses the state in his polluter pals private jet the height of hypocrisy, said RPOF Chairwoman Leslie Dougher on Thursday. When it comes to the environment, Crist is just full of a lot of hot air.
Crist took off the gloves earlier this week to hit Scott over the environment.
Florida's beauty needs to be protected -- but Rick Scott has abandoned her, Crist insisted on Monday. He's prioritized polluters and corporations over our home. He doesn't even believe in climate change!
Crist tried to contrast his record with Scotts. He might be changing his tune now that the election is around the corner, Crist noted about Scott. I've always been a champion for our beautiful state.
Trying to catch Crist in the Democratic primary, former Florida Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich came out swinging at both of her main opponents this week.
Rick Scott and Charlie Crist want to talk about the environment, Rich informed supporters earlier this week. I wonder why we didnt see them at the Save Our River Clean Water Rally in Stuart this weekend to protect the Indian River Lagoon? Maybe its because Crist and Scott are responsible for eight years of gutting growth management and environmental protection laws. Charlie Crist signed the bills that repealed key portions of Floridas growth management laws, eliminated transparency and muzzled Floridians who are trying to protect wetlands. Florida needs real environmental protections, and a governor who will enforce them.
Libertarian candidate Adrian Wyllie has also been playing up his commitment to the environment. Over the weekend, Wyllie was at the Save Our River Clean Water Rally in Stuart where he ran into Rich.
Wyllie focused on his comprehensive environmental policy earlier this week, which consists of taking the power away from agencies such as the FDEP to give corporations and government the authority to pollute, eliminating the protection corporations have from civil legal action so polluters are open to class action lawsuits and reversing the damage by allowing rivers and floodplains to return to their natural state.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com.
