Governor Rick Scott’s “Let’s Keep Working” bus tour came to Pensacola this morning. WUWF’s Dave Dunwoody reports the visit was part of Scott’s two week, 28-city schedule.
Running about 20 minutes late to the rally at New World Landing downtown, Gov. Scott continued the tour’s dual themes. First up, tax cuts. The Governor says because of what he calls Florida’s robust economic recovery, he can offer a one billion dollar reduction over the next two years.
“If it’s for your family, you can use the money better than the government can,” said Scott. “If it’s for a business, that business could hire somebody; put money into marketing, put money into research.”
Other proposals include a constitutional amendment to keep residential property taxes from increasing, if property values go down; $200 million in so-called tax-free holidays, and eliminating fees and taxes on vehicle purchases, cell phones, business income, manufacturing sales, and commercial leases.
The other theme of the bus tour is Democratic nominee Charlie Crist – Scott’s opponent and predecessor. The Governor mounted a familiar attack on Crist, referencing his switch from a Republican governor, to an independent candidate for U-S Senate, to his joining the Democratic Party to challenge for his old job.
“If this side of the room said they wanted ‘X’ he’d say ‘I agree with you completely,’” Scott said. “And one second later, this (other) side said they want the opposite, ‘I agree with you too’ is what he would say. I mean, we don’t know what he (Crist) believes in.”
In 2010, businessman Rick Scott rode a wave of economic insecurity into the governor's mansion – garnering 57% of the vote in Escambia County. Four years later he’s riding a bus across Florida, telling voters that things are a lot better now than they were under Crist.
A number of local and state GOP elected officials joined the Governor at New World Landing, Attorney General Pam Bondi and State Representatives Mike Hill and Clay Ingram spoke at the hour-long rally – as did Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera.
“The next four years in Florida under Rick Scott, you’re going to see more prosperity than we’ve probably seen in a lifetime. And, I’ll get to keep my job,” Lopez-Cantera said amid laughter. “The Panhandle is going to deliver this election for Governor Scott and myself.”
With the general election two months away, Charlie Crist holds a slight lead over Gov. Rick Scott, 42-39% according to Public Policy Polling. The margin of error makes the race a virtual dead heat. Libertarian Adrian Wylie is at 8% in a three-way race.
Scott and Lt. Governor Lopez-Cantera will be in Fort Walton Beach Thursday for dedication of the Freedom Bell, to be part of the Tribute Tower at Beal Memorial Cemetery. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie – who chairs the Republican Governors Association – is expected to stump with Scott Friday in Panama City Beach.