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Scott Sworn In For Second Term As Governor

Governor Rick Scott

Florida Governor Rick Scott is beginning his second term with the same promise he made when he took office four years ago: to create jobs by making Florida more business-friendly.

Scott was sworn in at noon Eastern Time on Tuesday at Florida's Old Capitol, on a 60 degree day in Tallahassee. At the start of his inaugural address – which ran for more than 20 minutes, Scott said the rancorous 2014 campaign, in which he defeated Charlie Crist by one percentage point, is over.

Scott has taken credit for Florida's recovery from the Great Recession. And he said that he plans to continue work on limiting the size of government. However, state spending has grown from just under $70 billion in Scott’s first budget, to around $77 billion in the current year. He also promised more tax cuts.

Another pledge for the second term is a continued focus on job creation. To that end, Scott also said he plans to travel the country on recruiting trips, and had this advice to firms in the so-called “Rust Belt” and other, higher-taxation parts of the U.S. 

Scott also promised that Florida would surpass Texas in job creation – with an amused Texas Gov. Rick Perry watching close by. Perry sat next to another potential 2016 presidential candidate, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Unlike four years ago, there won't be an inaugural ball, or even an inaugural parade. Instead, the Governor toured the state after the election to promote the recovering economy.

Florida’s other constitutional officers were also sworn in: Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera; Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Attorney General Pam Bondi.